Thinking of Selling Camper Trailer and purchasing a Pontoon

[Marabeth]

So, we just aren't getting the use out of our 2010 31 foot camper and thinking about getting a Pontoon with Camper instead.

My thoughts are;

We live very close to many bodies of water so there are many places to use it (We are in Southern Ontario, five minutes drive to Lake Ontario, 30 minutes to the Grand River).

A boat is better for day trips, camper is not

Able to still "camp" with a camper top. Still looking into that.

If the boat we purchase has a sink and fridge it will be much better then "tent" camping, but not as perfect as Travel Trailer camping... but that's not really camping now is it.

Has anyone here used their pontoon boat as a camper, gone on weekend or week long trips?

MY DH seems to think that pontoon's can't go on Lake Ontario. I think as long as it's a day trip and the water is calm then we should be good.

The reason why I would want a pontoon boat over a boat with a cubby (right term?) is I can't sleep or even be in an included area while on the water. Freaks me out. The idea of a pontoon and a tent is no big deal as it's only material and it would be like being in a Pop-Up (which we have had). My husband has always wanted a boat & I want a trailer to camp... this might be the best of both worlds.

Thoughts, opinions. Go for it! My ears and eyes are open.

[Bamby]

Welcome: You are more or less following the footsteps we've already taken ourselves. At first I wanted a boat and she preferred having a camper and of course she won after all if she's happy I'm generally always satisfied. It would take a huge amount of typing to relate to you our transitional Odyssey throughout and I've already written and shared it elsewhere. You can view it here if you'd care to: http://www.pontoonhouseboatodyssey.com/ Who knows maybe you'll pick up some information you'll find useful for your future odyssey.

The key is going to be "do your research" so you'll be equipped with the needed knowledge to make a wise purchase that will provide you with total satisfaction of your purchase. I'm sure others will be along that will suggest their thought on what they think would meet your needs...

[smltooner]

Welcome to the club.
I think you have a great idea.
We have a pop up and a pontoon. Wish out 'toon had a camping enclosure.
Many pontoons have an enclosure available as an option.
Since you want a sink and fridge check out a SunTracker Party Hut.
http://www.suntrackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3348
There are many members here that use their 'toons for camping so I am sure you will get more advice.
Good luck with your search.

[Marabeth]

The key is going to be "do your research" so you'll be equipped with the needed knowledge to make a wise purchase that will provide you with total satisfaction of your purchase. I'm sure others will be along that will suggest their thought on what they think would meet your needs...

That's why I am here. I don't normally do things to blindly. I am going to go home and read over that link you provided. Looking forward to it.

I should mention it's just me, DH and two small dogs. No kids.

[Bamaman]

You can get a sink and refrigerator on a pontoon boat, however they're usually found only on the most expensive models.

With big water close by, you should consider going a 24' tri-toon route with lifting strakes, and a 150 hp motor. I hear they're just so stable when you get into the big waves. They're also faster, handle great and are more efficient than two toons.

If you get rid of the travel trailer, you might consider a canvas/Sunbrella enclosure on a pontoon. You could use the boat on the trailer for sleeping, and maybe you could eventually try sleeping with the boat in the water.

I think an enclosure would be great for someone like myself that's interested in river cruising, staying in state parks, hotels and an occasional night on the water.

The largest pontoon dealer I know is T&M Marine in Grand Rapids, and he stocks new pontoons with full and half enclosures. See his website for examples.

[RonKMiller]

I had the same conundrum, my solution:

https://picasaweb.google.com/MillerRonK ... velTrailer

[Marabeth]

An A-line on a floaty thing... well good in theory might not be our best solution. But thanks for the giggle.

[RonKMiller]

An A-line on a floaty thing... well good in theory might not be our best solution. But thanks for the giggle.

Actually it's a Chalet and it's not a joke. The final project is Coast Guard approved and working very well at 20 knots firewall forward, thank you bery, bery mucho.

I have ALL the luxuries of a full sized house boat including air conditioning, a 6 gallon hot water tank and shower, not to mention HD TV and a 4.5 gallon cassette electric FLUSH toilet. Oh yeah, there's also the queen memory foam bed, refrigerator/freezer and furnace, 2 burner stove, 2 bowl stainless sink and no worries in a wind and rain storm since the entire unit is hard sided and weather stripped. There's nothing quite like being able to make ice while under way, I really can't stand my Margaritas straight up - know what I mean?

Enjoy your *tent* camper! (but when it's cold, rainy and blowing like a sonomobeach don't come giggling to me.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YsRa1NbLe4

[Marabeth]

Actually it's a Chalet and it's not a joke. The final project is Coast Guard approved and working very well at 20 knots firewall forward, thank you bery, bery mucho.

I have ALL the luxuries of a full sized house boat including air conditioning, a 6 gallon hot water tank and shower, not to mention HD TV and a 4.5 gallon cassette electric FLUSH toilet. Oh yeah, there's also the queen memory foam bed, refrigerator/freezer and furnace, 2 burner stove, 2 bowl stainless sink and no worries in a wind and rain storm since the entire unit is hard sided and weather stripped. There's nothing quite like being able to make ice while under way, I really can't stand my Margaritas straight up - know what I mean?

Enjoy your *tent* camper! (but when it's cold, rainy and blowing like a sonomobeach don't come giggling to me.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YsRa1NbLe4

very nice, sorry if I didn't take it seriously. Sounds like you have done a great job finding what works best for you.

In regards to "cold, raining & blowing" I am (or maybe was) a winter camper and have camping in -20 so weather has never really stopped me from enjoying my hobby. Here in Ontario we get two seasons... hot or cold and not much in between so learning how to enjoy oneself in any situation is minatory.

I have been looking around on this forum and saw a "Sun Tracker" and it seems to have caught my eye. My largest concern is that it's width is 8.6... that might be a little difficult towing around to different destinations. According to the website there is a dealer about 9 kms away from my house. Might stop by there today and pick there brain. I wonder if they would take a slightly used 31 foot travel trailer in on trade

[RonKMiller]

I'll bet that SunTracker is 96" or exactly 8' wide. Towing can be an issue (mine weighs 6,000 lbs) but if you've got a serious truck it really isn't that much of a problem. I'm using a 1 ton dually crew cab. I justify the 6 miles per gallon since we're not paying for a hotel room, but it does get old refueling every 200 miles. You've got be especially wary of low hanging branches and of course tight turns. I'm 52' from nose to tail, about the same length as a semi tractor and trailer. With your 31' trailer you're already used to that!

I think you'll really enjoy the flexibility of just pulling over and hanging out over night. We've got incredible land camping options in Arizona, but the issue here is you REALLY don't want to be out in the desert anytime from May all the way until October without being able to jump in the water and cool off. It's just plain way too hot!

Get the Party Hut with the biggest motor it will take, you'll love it. (That's exactly what I took apart, vintage 1987)

[Marabeth]

I'll bet that SunTracker is 96" or exactly 8' wide. Towing can be an issue (mine weighs 6,000 lbs) but if you've got a serious truck it really isn't that much of a problem. I'm using a 1 ton dually crew cab. I justify the 6 miles per gallon since we're not paying for a hotel room, but it does get old refueling every 200 miles. You've got be especially wary of low hanging branches and of course tight turns. I'm 52' from nose to tail, about the same length as a semi tractor and trailer. With your 31' trailer you're already used to that!

We have a 2009 F150 FX4 (11,000 towing capacity). Our current trailer is 33.4 over all (from bumper to tongue). We have a Reese W/D and anti sway hitch that is rated for 12,000 (overkill yes, but it's better to have over kill then not enough).

That brings another question. Will we need the Reese for the boat trailer? It the tongue wight an issue like it is with a travel trailer?

I have always read on Travel trailer forums that pulling a boat and a travel trailer are two totally different things. A travel trailer is like pulling a barn door behind you, where a boat is more stream line and has room for the air to move around.

[RonKMiller]

If you get the Party Hut it is indeed like pulling a barn door, it's not fun, especially in wind. A regular pontoon is a piece 0' cake with your rig, and no, I can't imagine you would need that monster Reese hitch. You've got more than adequate grunt with your rig to pull - well - Ontario!

I pull this with a 2 and 1/2" (I think...?) standard ball hitch, although I do have four wheel surge brakes on the trailer. This picture was taken about a month before it was completely finished and painted/polished. The dually is of course designed for towing - it's the same year as my boat!

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[Thomas/NH]

Marabeth, do I have a deal for you... Just so happens that I'm selling my Sun Tracker PC 32, it's a boat, it's a camper, it's a "Party Curser".

I bought it last year with great expectations of using it to camp on, SCUBA dive out of and still party on the lake. But, with my degenerative nerve problem in my hip, the dream came to end to soon. I had to give up my 38' sailboat for the same reasons and had hoped life would be easier with the PC. However, with another bad fall and the crash of my truck later that day, it's time to face reality.

The PC is being sold for just what I have in it.

[Marabeth]

Interesting... where are you located?

[badmoonrising]

Marabeth, if I recall correctly, he has the same year Party Cruiser as mine. I have plenty of photos of my boat here and on my site if you want an idea of what they look like.