Motorhome testing

[Hatchdog]

Slowly but surely we’re working thru all the tasks of converting to a Motorhome from a trailer. So yesterday I hooked the boat up to it for a trial run. I had three concerns that were put to rest.

My driveway is steep and is a nearly 180 degree turn to the exit of our community. When towing anything I have to turn the opposite direction and go about a quarter mile up to the end of the road where there is a cul d’sac where I can turn around and head to the exit. With the extended wheelbase of the Motorhome v my pickup I wasn’t sure I could make the turn while towing the boat. Made it with room to spare!

With the steep gravel driveway I wasn’t sure the Moho would keep traction with the extra weight of the boat. Buzzed right up without spinning a tire!

Thirdly I was a bit concerned backing the boat with the long wheelbase and how the boat would react to corrections. I went down the road a couple of miles the the high school to use the large parking lot (Sunday, no school). While using this large parking lot is not a real world comparison to a narrower boat launch I was able to target a specific location to back the boat too and found it wasn’t too difficult. One discovery is when the boat is aligned strait with the Moho I can’t see it in either mirror. I do have a rear camera that helps a lot but after all these years of mirror backing it’s a bit of a challenge to remember to look at the camera monitor. I’ll get used to it with time of course.

All in all a good day and this coming Sunday we leave for six days up on the Columbia River (Lake Roosevelt) for camping and fishing.

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[BigAl52]

Just a thought Ive seen guys in this situation put a hitch on the front to launch the boat. I realize that makes you hook and unhook but if it becomes difficult to do it the way you have it set up then that might be an answer.

[John E Davies]

Carry some tall bright flags for your guide tubes, put them in while prepping for launch, that will make it a little wider and a whole lot easier to see in your mirrors. Offroad ATV orange ones would probably be easiest. Pro+Powersports in town will have them.

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Nice boat.

John Davies
Spokane WAa

[Hatchdog]

Thanks Al and John, both great suggestions.

[Hatchdog]

Did my first boat launch with the motorhome and it went very well. Nice that the launch was not busy so I was able to really take my time. Forgot to take a pic but will do so today if this rain ever stops. Breaking and resetting camp wasn’t too bad since we don’t have to go above 5 mph to get to the launch we didn’t have to stow a bunch of stuff.

[Hatchdog]

“Second verse (launch) same as the first” I’m getting kinda of good at this so something bad is due to happen. Remembered to take pics yesterday.

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From the water looking back at the launch

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[BigAl52]

Ya but are you catchin any fish

[Hatchdog]

Ya but are you catchin any fish

What’s a fish? For the first time since we bought the boat we were skunked. We fished for trout for a couple of days and then switched to walleye. Negative on both. Spoke with a couple of others who had some success with the walleyes but both said the bite was slower than usual. I’m not very well set up or knowledgeable on walleye so I’m going to do some learning and get the proper tackle.

Had a great time regardless.

[BigAl52]

Ya but are you catchin any fish

What’s a fish? For the first time since we bought the boat we were skunked. We fished for trout for a couple of days and then switched to walleye. Negative on both. Spoke with a couple of others who had some success with the walleyes but both said the bite was slower than usual. I’m not very well set up or knowledgeable on walleye so I’m going to do some learning and get the proper tackle.

Had a great time regardless.

Only time I fished for those walleye we used leeches and bottom rigs in about 15 feet of water. That was at Glendo reservoir in Glendo Wyoming. We caught quite a few of them. Had to throw some back because they werent the right size. But for me catchin fish is always comedy show because I seem to have a lot of reel issues. I do like to catch walleye though as eating trout to me is garbage compared to walleye.

[Hatchdog]

The shallow lakes (warm water temp) around the Spokane area which are stocked with trout by the game dept. do produce “muddy” tasting fish. As a kid and young adult we fished these lakes and I remember not being impressed with them on the table. Now these Rainbow trout we fish for in Lake Roosevelt are net pen raised and fed shrimp. Also there is a large supply of micro shrimp in the lake they feed on. These are great tasting fish and always have firm very red meat. The reservoir is very deep and is constantly fed by the cold waters of the Columbia River coming out of Canada. When it warms up the trout go deep, 80 - 100 ft.

I agree walleye’s are great tasting. When younger I used to catch lots just tossing a jig towards shore and bouncing it along the bottom. I’m going to study up on walleye’s using a bottom bouncer as I like to troll rather than anchor and jig.


All in all the first outing of the rv went great, all systems worked as expected and driving it was stress free. I have to get used to the overhang above the cab and how far it extends from side to side. I can see how it might be easy to hit a tree with it particularly in the type of campground we just stayed in. Seems like the Feds won’t cut a tree down to save their a$$. Very narrow turns and when towing something wide turns are necessary. Seems like they want to accommodate the tent campers more than the rvs. This campground is part of the National Park Service.