Life is changing

[PR8Head]

New member of this forum. My name is Bruce, I’m 64 years old, and have been retired for just over ten years. Most of my retirement has been spent caring for my mother with dementia, transitioning to caring for my wife who is losing her battle with metastatic cancer.

I have been a camper and RVer for my whole life. In the 1960s, my family had a truck camper that we used year-round. When my first child was born, we bought a pop-up trailer. That was replaced with a Class C so we could tow our boat. Once the kids got bigger, the Class C was too small and was replaced with a 36’ 5th wheel with the boat trailered behind. After the kids moved away we traded to a 38’ Class A. The Class A was sold to a relative a couple of years ago after the mice invaded.

Too soon, I will be single again. Since being tied to the house (and hospital) for years, I’m ready for my next adventure. I want to spend a significant portion of the cooler months between both coasts to spend time with my kids families, fishing and taking in everything along the way.

I’m leaning toward a Class B, but have some concerns about logistics. Ideally, I want to tow my small fishing boat (about 2,700 lbs.), and also somehow take along a small (400 lbs.) motorcycle. I like to take the small bike since I wouldn’t have to break camp for short trips or errands.

Does anyone have any experience or suggestions how best to make my dream a reality? I imagine a diesel powered Class B on a 1 Ton chassis would easily handle the weight, but how? TIA

 

[phantomjock]

Sorry to hear your wife will be not participating in the "dream."

These are my thoughts:
1. I lean to gas not diesel, so my choice was set with a Chevy based Class B.
2. We were "cautioned" that post 20XIV - 20XI7, quality deterioration in their production.
3. Towing is easily possible with many Class Bs.

Our diminutive 170 will tow just over 5000#. For your requirement, maybe a boat trailer with an added receiver and a 400# motorcycle "rack"? Can't say but could work.

Best of luck.
Cheers - Jim

 

[MsNomer]

A Promaster could handle that if you don’t have a heavy build.

With a Class B, you may not need the bike.

 

[booster]

A Promaster could handle that if you don’t have a heavy build.

With a Class B, you may not need the bike.

Agree on the possibility of no bike needed. Most only haul a motorcycle for recreation, not transportation, I think.

Generally, I wouldn't want 400# hanging on the back or our Roadtrek 190 as we would be overweight and with way too much on the rear.

Do they make trailers that would haul the bike and small boat so the weight is off the van? That would be much better, IMO.

 

[mumkin]

Sorry about your loses. I too retired in my early 50's to care for a mother with dementia... for 14 years.

A fully converted Promaster has a limited towing weight allowance. Mainly because the transmission is a known weakness. I wouldn't go much over 3000 lbs. The older Chevy is more robust and Booster has the best advice there. The only diesel option with the higher tow allowance is the Sprinter... and they have their own well known issues.

 

[wmgeorge]

Bruce , Best of luck with your new life Event. You could surely tow a trailer with light weight aluminum boat and small motor and lay a small motorcycle on a small canvas or rug inside.

 

[ks@yvr]

I carry a 350 # motorcycle on the back of my rig no problem, however you would need to tow the bike with the boat if you wanted both on the same trip. Towing wouldn’t be a problem with most vans.

 

[Captain Longbeard]

I always recommend renting before buying. That will answer a lot of questions, and generate plenty more.

 

[booster]

I carry a 350 # motorcycle on the back of my rig no problem, however you would need to tow the bike with the boat if you wanted both on the same trip. Towing wouldn’t be a problem with most vans.

How much weight do you have on the rear axle full loaded and ready to travel, with bike on. As near as I could find the rear axle is rated for about 5660#.

 

[topwop]

New member of this forum. My name is Bruce, I’m 64 years old, and have been retired for just over ten years. Most of my retirement has been spent caring for my mother with dementia, transitioning to caring for my wife who is losing her battle with metastatic cancer.

I have been a camper and RVer for my whole life. In the 1960s, my family had a truck camper that we used year-round. When my first child was born, we bought a pop-up trailer. That was replaced with a Class C so we could tow our boat. Once the kids got bigger, the Class C was too small and was replaced with a 36’ 5th wheel with the boat trailered behind. After the kids moved away we traded to a 38’ Class A. The Class A was sold to a relative a couple of years ago after the mice invaded.

Too soon, I will be single again. Since being tied to the house (and hospital) for years, I’m ready for my next adventure. I want to spend a significant portion of the cooler months between both coasts to spend time with my kids families, fishing and taking in everything along the way.

I’m leaning toward a Class B, but have some concerns about logistics. Ideally, I want to tow my small fishing boat (about 2,700 lbs.), and also somehow take along a small (400 lbs.) motorcycle. I like to take the small bike since I wouldn’t have to break camp for short trips or errands.

Does anyone have any experience or suggestions how best to make my dream a reality? I imagine a diesel powered Class B on a 1 Ton chassis would easily handle the weight, but how? TIA

What size/type of boat are you looking to haul? Found this,

https://www.reddit.com/r/rafting/comments/12c3z2r/got_my_rig_all_ready_for_summer_modified_and_old

just looking around and looks like it might fit your needs, just have to find someone to fabricate it for you. Good luck,