New to group (boat transport questions)

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Posted by "Paddlevan" of Atlanta

Hello I have been lurking for a while I am considering getting an egg to be pulled by either an 84 vw vanagon or an 85 6.2l diesel. I have enough roof rack capacity for 2 sit on top kayaks and one sit-inside kayak. However I have just acquired a 16' gunoe (square back canoe ) it weighs 120lbs so I dont like the idea of having it on a roof
rack and with trailer i estimate it weighs 225 max. I have read alot on the other rv forums and have carefully considered all the options.
If I go on a trip more than 2 hours away it would suck to have to drive back 4 hours for the 225lb trailer .. So here goes

Does anyone have experience pulling another trailer behind a Casita or Scamp and what has been your experience.. I may have to end up just using 2 cars but for longer trips i would prefer not to..


Please bear in mind the trailer will not exceed 225lbs

Thanks Paddlevan
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Paddlevan
84 vw sitontop kayaks and a Siren17
www,PeachstateTransporters.com

[Legacy Posts]

Posted by Ken VanPelt, of upstate NY


Two trailers
In the state of Georgia, it is illegal to tow two trailers.
http://www.rvadvice.com/rvtowlaw.html

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Posted by Jana J, of Northeast Oklahoma

it's not legal in every state to pull two trailers with one vehicle. - Is it?

Hi ken, you type faster then me..
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http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/...8b40e6steve.gif
Jana Journeycake
PullsButtercupwithYellaEscape
1975 Surfside TM-14 (ft)

Last edited by: Jana J on 02-15-03 18:41:49

[Legacy Posts]

Posted by Noel M. Lutsey, of Minnesota - Arizona

two trailers
I think you have to research the legal questions before you consider two tailers in tandem. Each state may have very differn't laws. Typically this question comes up with those towing 5th wheel TT. It can be done but engineering requirements have to follow guidelines as per state or in Canada provincial law.
IE: Lead trailer must be longest and have dual axles and plate style hitch or something similar.

Hope somebody else may have more specific info for you.

Good luck.
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1987 - 13' Scamp / 1998 Ford Ranger

I asked Mom if I was a gifted child... she said they certainly wouldn't have paid for me

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Posted by Ron and Bernice, of Florida

I read somewhere in the last few days not to ever attempt it. (image no longer available) I think it was when I was checking into WDH and sway bar information at one of the hitch sites.

(image no longer available)
Happy Valentine's Day
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Ron #1278

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Posted by "Paddlevan" of Atlanta

Boat transport questions
Thanks for all the answers
1) its a legal grey area
2) Safety is of paramount concern
3) I may not be the only one driving the rig
So its back to plan A 2 trips to the campsite locally and one tough roofrack for the longhaul trips..
I'll keep you guys posted

Paddlevan
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Paddlevan
84 vw sitontop kayaks and a Siren17
www,PeachstateTransporters.com

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Posted by Chester Taje, of Hosmer, B.C. Canada

Hi Paddelevan
At one time you could pull two units but that has changed.It caused a lot of problems.I looked at your web site and found it interesting.My name is Chester (Crazy Cunuck)whats yours.Good to see new members here.Post lots and have fun.
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Ches & Marie
17Ft Boler Canadian In Use
13Ft Boler Canadian under Rebuild
Glass IS Class
(image no longer available)

Last edited by: Chester Taje on 02-16-03 02:20:39

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Posted by "Paddlevan" of Atlanta

Took every one's advice

The new rig is as follows
1997 Casita 16' Spirit Deluxe pulled by 1985 6.2l GMC Suburban with the factory towing package..averaged over 18mpg from Dothan Al to Atlanta GA..All I need now is a good roof rack
(image no longer available)
P.S. it was sold in the boating section
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Paddlevan
84 vw sitontop kayaks and a Siren17
www,PeachstateTransporters.com

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Posted by Suz, of North Texas

A new Casita!Congratulations, Paddlevan, on your new Casita! I think you are going to love having a fiberglass travel trailer. I would imagine you can hardly tell that it's behind that diesel Suburban!

Now you have room for your boats and you!

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Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

Last edited by: Suz on 04-21-03 07:31:41

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Posted by Bob Maddox, of Knoxville, Tennessee

I recently bought a 1993 13' Casita for my brother and it had a trailer ball on the rear of it, with the hitch welded to the frame. I don't know what it was used to pull. As I was pulling it through Kentucky on the way home, I passed a pickup pulling a 5th wheel which was pulling a trailer with a 4-wheel ATV. So, some have done it but I don't know how legal or how safe it is.

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Bob Maddox

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Posted by Paul E Henning, of Warsaw, Indiana

A lot of semi-truck drivers refuse to pull tandem trailers. If they won't do it, I won't either. A truck driver friend of mine has told his boss, "Fire me if you want, but I won't do it". They haven't fired him.

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Osmo the Great (Osmo is great - Paul is just so-so)

[Legacy Posts]

Posted by "Paddlevan" of Atlanta

Problem solved
Thanks for all the info. Here is my current solution
Yakima low rider roof racks for the +100lb Gunoe on the factory racks. It allows use of one vehicle per trip instead of using the trailer.
(image no longer available)

Now once I get all the pieces there this is the end result.
(image no longer available)

So again thanks for all the info.
Paddlevan
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Paddlevan
84 vw sitontop kayaks and a Siren17
www,PeachstateTransporters.com

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Posted by Suz, of North Texas

Excellent! Glad you resolved the issue safely.

Now you can have them both and only one vehicle!

Enjoy!
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Suz
1989 Casita
16 ft Spirit Deluxe

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Posted by norman and jean mulloy, of south central ontario

the things we do when we're young
When we were 18 a girl friend and I went to meet my parents to join an antique car tour at the other end of the province. We pulled an old Sears tent trailer with a 67 Pariesiene.Then we picked up our 31 model A that Dad had trailered to Kempville earlier. We set off for Kingston.The Model A pulling the tent trailer; the Pontiac pulling the empty car trailer; and my parents following with a '29 Chrysler pulling a 13'stick built trailer. Within the first 10 miles on the 401 we had two flat tires on the Model A. The service centre suggested loading the A(the law then regulated the total length and we we were o.k.), dad agreed and off I went driving the pontiac pulling the car trailer loaded with the Model A and it in turn still had the tt hitched on back. You can bet I wasn't doing 100 mph. In 1970 the 401 in eastern Ont. wasn't that busy on a Sunday morning. To register for the tour,I was told to pull in back of a building- and no way out.There was no way I could back up those suckers.I ended up driving over the curbs and across their lawn. For the rest of the week we drove the model A pulling the tent trailer, to Kingston, to and from Ottawa. We drove 3 sets of vehicles home each only pulling one trailer.
Do that now, with today's 401 traffic? Not a chance!
Jean
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norm or jean
2002 Oxygen by Bonair

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Posted by Rick Jendrysik, of Ft Myers, FL

tandom trailers
Paddlevan -

This is our ride to the upper Buffalo last week w/2 trailers and 10 canoes (we're sitting on our two inflatable kayaks in the truck). Quite a ride, but not as wild as the 14 miles back down the river!

Is there white water in GA guring the summer?

(image no longer available)
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Rick & Lita
Ft. Myers, FL
...the Real Florida!
'03 Honda Odyssey Tug
'02 Casita FD 17 Tow

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Posted by Benita, of Atlanta metro

Orginally posted by Rick Jendrysik
Is there white water in GA guring the summer?

Yes. North Georgia boundary rivers are the most popular. The Ocoee, Chattooga and Natahala rivers as well as up near the Amicalola Falls are favored. There are Class V areas. The Natahala was the site of the Olympic kayaking/white water events in 1996. (I'm not sure if that was actually in Georgia or on the Tennessee side of the border.) Some of these rivers only permit white water rafting during a limited number of days annually. So, booking far in advance may be required.

After studying his situation for a while, Paddlevan acquired a Suburban that serves as the toter and hauler of his kayaks. All the boats will either be on or in the truck. He gave up on the double towing idea. His only towed vehicle is the Casita. Don't know if he was considering trying to mount a boat rack on the Casita.

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Benita Fern-Ellen / Sister Scribe
1982 Fiber Stream - The Runabout

Last edited by: Benita on 06-13-03 22:41:58

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Posted by Paul E Henning, of Warsaw, Indiana

OOo, ooh, Rick - you're just the one who can answer my question. I want to take my wife kayaking this summer, but sadly lack any kayaks. I can't afford to buy good glass kayaks, but could maybe swing a couple inflatables. But, are they any good? Can you cover distance reasonably well in them? How do they compare in usability to a fiberglass, or for that matter, blow-molded model? Thanks! Paul

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Posted by Al V, of Hampton, Va

check out rentals
there might be a place close to where you are camping that rents them. I have seen a campground on the intercostal waterway that rents them. and all over the Aderondaks there are rentals , Seem like SC and Ga would too .

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Al and Mac The Kat

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Posted by Rick Jendrysik, of Ft Myers, FL

[b]Inflatable kayak

Orginally posted by Paul E Henning

OOo, ooh, Rick - you're just the one who can answer my question. I want to take my wife kayaking this summer, but sadly lack any kayaks. I can't afford to buy good glass kayaks, but could maybe swing a couple inflatables. But, are they any good? Can you cover distance reasonably well in them? How do they compare in usability to a fiberglass, or for that matter, blow-molded model? Thanks! Paul

Paul -
I have 0 experience with hard kayaks, but others have told me that these inflatables are much more stable than a comparable fiberglass kayak, and at 30#, much lighter. It takes about 5 min. to inflate and they fold up into a suitcase sized carry bag. I can highly recommend the Stearns single person inflatable model IK-116 (B500). www.stearnsinc.com

The upper river water was on the low side, so [b]rocky class II rapids were comon and the kayaks came through without barely a scratch when the alluminum canoes were taking a beating if not portaged. As for speed, we made 14 miles in 6 hours, about 2 hours ahead of the canoe group. To be fair, I have to say they were carrying beverage coolers that might have slowed them down. The only down side to this kayak model that I see, is its lack of cargo space. It would be difficult to carry a much more than a water jug and sandwich.
(image no longer available)
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Rick & Lita
Ft. Myers, FL
[b]...the Real Florida!
'03 Honda Odyssey [b]Tug
'02 Casita FD 17 [b]Tow

Last edited by: Rick Jendrysik on 06-17-03 05:48:26

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Posted by Paul E Henning, of Warsaw, Indiana

Thanks! I'll look into it.

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Osmo the Great (Osmo is great - Paul is just so-so)