I remember back in the 70's and 80's on at least one of the lakes fed by the Colorado River (maybe lake Powell) there was a company that had these flat pontoon boats that you would drive or back your RV onto. The pontoon boats had outboard engines with a control center where you would sit to pilot the boat around the lake.
Your RV would become a houseboat.
Does anyone know if any of these operations still exist ? I've done some quick research on the web and haven't found any.
I also remember a company that had a similar pontoon boat for Motorhomes, with a roller system so the rear wheels of the motorhome would drive a prop and the front wheels sat on pads hooked up to a rudder so you used the steering wheel of the motorhome to steer the boat.
I thought this would be a fun use for the RV and more comfortable than using a houseboat. Looks like maybe I waited too long to try this out.
Speedhitch said
02:29 PM Jul 24, 2008
Bear...they use to have a barge rental company in Mississippi or Louisana that took RVs up and down the river. I looked them up but I don't see them anymore??? Maybe it is cost prohibitive now. I know at the time I looked into it, it was really out of my $ range of intertainment. I am sure if they still do it...they have not lowered the price...LOL
Speedy.
The Bear II said
03:57 PM Jul 24, 2008
Speedy,
Forgot about the barge trips. Kind of like the Copper Canyon train trip but on the water.
I remember looking into the barge ride back in the 80's and like you it was out of my price range.
I remember the brochure showed RV's parked on the barges and people were sitting by their RV in lawn chairs watching the shore and river traffic go by.
Looked like it would have been a fun trip.
Sorry to see it's gone as well....
Speedhitch said
12:23 PM Jul 25, 2008
Well like you said Bear it was out of my price range. I would be setting on the beach watching the barges go by. Oh well back when I should have been socking money away for this time in my life I was spending it on cool RV vacations to Colorado...I would not trade it for more money now...would you???
Speedy
The Bear II said
03:53 PM Jul 25, 2008
Nope.....
We ended up not having kids because we bought an RV right after we were married. We had so much fun going away on trips that by the time we started talking about having kids we were too old.
Now we are going to have to sign up for the Escapees Care program just so we'll have someone to take care of us in our old age.
I'm headed down to San Diego tonight to spend a couple of days at the Chula Vista RV Park and try to relax....it's been a busy couple of weeks.
So busy I was only able to get 8 holes in at a 9 hole golf course before I had to leave....it's awful. Oh well like they say a bad day of golfing is better than a good day doing something else....
Speedhitch said
07:14 PM Jul 25, 2008
Well Bear seems like it is just you and I on this string so I guess I will keep it going by saying you have it tuff. Send us some picture of your trip. Wish I could go with you. And by the way Bear we have kids and we will be down there with you at Escapes....you think they want to take care of trailer trash??? See ya at the old folks lodge.
Joe and Sherri
-- Edited by Speedhitch at 20:15, 2008-07-25
Roz said
07:18 AM Jul 26, 2008
Bear and Speedy,
Trust me, having kids to have a caregiver later in life is absoluty ludicrous. Few youngins nowadays are interested in taking care of those that gave them life. I don't have any, but all I hear from others is even the adult kids still have their hands out. I am sure there are very good exceptions, and if you have those, be grateful.
I think it may very well be crowded at the Care Last Roundup. Had I known I would live this long, I would have surely taken better care of myself. Who'd a thunk it?
Jeff, How amazing is that?! Larry called me in to see it saying "hey hon come on in and see our next rig" Oh sure.... Where do you find these cool things? Really enjoyed all the photos though on the site you posted.
Arlene...and Larry ( dreaming of fishing from the MH deck...)
The Bear II said
08:50 AM Jul 29, 2008
Saw the Terra Wind about 4 years ago at the Pomona RV Show. Met the owners of the company, they also build the Ducks that are used to tour around harbors like San Diego Bay, Boston and Miami. So the amphibious technology they use is tried and true.
This MH would be an impressive site cruising down a river or across a lake.
Would definitely draw a lot of attention in an RV resort or Marina.
It would be a lot of laughs to park this thing at a boat ramp. Have someone stay inside hidden from view and then the rest of your party get out of the MH and walk away. Then let the MH slowly roll into the water like you forgot to put it in park and set the brakes.....
I guess someday when I hit the Lotto I can buy one of these and see how much fun you can have at a boat ramp.
Your RV would become a houseboat.
Does anyone know if any of these operations still exist ? I've done some quick research on the web and haven't found any.
I also remember a company that had a similar pontoon boat for Motorhomes, with a roller system so the rear wheels of the motorhome would drive a prop and the front wheels sat on pads hooked up to a rudder so you used the steering wheel of the motorhome to steer the boat.
I thought this would be a fun use for the RV and more comfortable than using a houseboat. Looks like maybe I waited too long to try this out.
Forgot about the barge trips. Kind of like the Copper Canyon train trip but on the water.
I remember looking into the barge ride back in the 80's and like you it was out of my price range.
I remember the brochure showed RV's parked on the barges and people were sitting by their RV in lawn chairs watching the shore and river traffic go by.
Looked like it would have been a fun trip.
Sorry to see it's gone as well....
Joe and Sherri
-- Edited by Speedhitch at 20:15, 2008-07-25
Trust me, having kids to have a caregiver later in life is absoluty ludicrous. Few youngins nowadays are interested in taking care of those that gave them life. I don't have any, but all I hear from others is even the adult kids still have their hands out. I am sure there are very good exceptions, and if you have those, be grateful.
I think it may very well be crowded at the Care Last Roundup. Had I known I would live this long, I would have surely taken better care of myself. Who'd a thunk it?
Charles
-- Edited by RVDude at 17:26, 2008-07-28
How amazing is that?!
Larry called me in to see it saying "hey hon come on in and see our next rig"
Oh sure....
Where do you find these cool things?
Really enjoyed all the photos though on the site you posted.
Arlene...and Larry ( dreaming of fishing from the MH deck...)
This MH would be an impressive site cruising down a river or across a lake.
Would definitely draw a lot of attention in an RV resort or Marina.
It would be a lot of laughs to park this thing at a boat ramp. Have someone stay inside hidden from view and then the rest of your party get out of the MH and walk away. Then let the MH slowly roll into the water like you forgot to put it in park and set the brakes.....
I guess someday when I hit the Lotto I can buy one of these and see how much fun you can have at a boat ramp.