Looking for suggestions on Transporting Inflatable Raft

[dtech]

Last summer purchased a Bris inflatable raft mostly for fishing lakes, may have bitten off more than I can handle as it's cumbersome weighs 125 lbs, I tow a 23' trailer and oft times to launch the raft I have to drive to a boat launch, so transporting the raft when it's inflated for short distances. I have a tonneau cover on the bed and when I used it last summer I could get the raft onto the cover, had the wife in the Ranger back seat holding a rope thru the open rear window, the raft though is 10.8' x 5' so just seeing if there may be a better way. I have a trolling motor for the raft and it has an inflatable keel, it's actually very stable in the water and has room to rig up poles and store things, it's just that at 73 yrs and a really bad lower back it can be a challenge to get the raft to the water. Thanks

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[SigOris]

how about a sheet of Ply_Wood resting on an angle, PS Wheel Well/Bed to DS Bed Lip, then rest raft against that.

the plan I had for a planned purchase until management wanted to get a TT

 

[SigOris]

FOGOT, my plan requires the install of an @AzScorpion approved tailgate damper

 

[Nomad]

Dtech,

I was thinking about the easiest way to transport your inflatable boat and had an idea you might find helpful. Have you considered a hitch-mounted truck bed extender?

These extenders slide into your truck's 2-inch receiver and can extend the bed of your truck by up to 4 feet.

Many models are adjustable in both width and height, giving you a lot of flexibility for securing your boat and other long items like kayaks, canoes, or lumber.

Some models also come with a roller, which would make loading and unloading your inflatable boat by yourself much easier.

You could potentially even load it on top of your tonneau cover (depending on the type of cover you have installed).

Here are a few popular options that might work for you:

• MaxxHaul 70231: This is a popular model with adjustable length and width.
• Malone Axis: This one has multiple height and width settings and can even be used vertically as a load bar.
• Lund Hitch Mounted Truck Bed Extender: This has a high weight capacity of 750 lbs.

NOMAD

 

[dtech]

Thanks, that's a great idea and might work, I found this one on amazon that's lightweight, one thing I would need to add is some sort of cushioning or roller on the vertical uprights, if I could put a roller onto each upright it might be possible to ratchet it onto the tonneau cover, but currently I stand the raft on it's side against the side of the truck and from the bottom of the raft flip it onto the tonneau cover, it works but hangs off the bed by 5' so the bed extender would provide more support.

I prefer a lighter weight extender as I tow a 4,100 GVW trailer but when loaded it probably weights in 1k or more heavier, the raft when uninflated takes up most of my bed space in the Ranger when traveling. Considering buying a full size pickup for better towing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DSCBJ8DK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3QFWUMHKFRIJ0&th=1

 

[AzScorpion]

Last summer purchased a Bris inflatable raft mostly for fishing lakes, may have bitten off more than I can handle as it's cumbersome weighs 125 lbs, I tow a 23' trailer and oft times to launch the raft I have to drive to a boat launch, so transporting the raft when it's inflated for short distances. I have a tonneau cover on the bed and when I used it last summer I could get the raft onto the cover, had the wife in the Ranger back seat holding a rope thru the open rear window, the raft though is 10.8' x 5' so just seeing if there may be a better way. I have a trolling motor for the raft and it has an inflatable keel, it's actually very stable in the water and has room to rig up poles and store things, it's just that at 73 yrs and a really bad lower back it can be a challenge to get the raft to the water. Thanks

If you're transporting it on the trailer you could use a large cargo bungee. I use to use a smaller version on my motorcycle when we'd go on week long trips to hold down my duffle bag and other stuff. They work well and stretch out far and might work for the trailer. This one here is 82" x 59' and only $36.00. It's too bad the Ranger didn't have steak pockets on-top of the bed rails then you could've put the raft on the tonneau cover and secured it there.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Latex-Ro...Hooks-SUV-Pickup-Truck-Bed-82x59in/7921608958

Here's a larger one on Amazon that is 5' x 7' and stretches out to 10' x 14'

https://www.amazon.com/AUTOWN-Cargo...=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

[dtech]

When I bought the Bris raft (Canadian firm but as far as I could tell most all of this type of rafts are made in China) I looked at the weight 125 lbs and figured I could manage that weight, but uniflated just picking it up into the Ranger bed does a number on my back, I haul it uninflated to my camping destination, once I inflate it I don't want to deflate and re-inflate each time I take it to the water. My trailer is 10' tall so no way it's going up on top there.

 

[Jamie Jack]

I've used an inflatable for fishing lakes and it's a poor choice. I know 50 fly fishermen and no one uses an inflatable any more because they are uncomfortable and hard to manage, particularly if you are over 60. I would suggest a better aluminum johnboat, 8' if you are on your own or 10' if you plan to take anyone. Use a 45 pound thrust electric motor, and an automatic boat loader. LOADMYBOAT.COM is what everyone in BC uses.

 

[dtech]

I've used an inflatable for fishing lakes and it's a poor choice. I know 50 fly fishermen and no one uses an inflatable any more because they are uncomfortable and hard to manage, particularly if you are over 60. I would suggest a better aluminum johnboat, 8' if you are on your own or 10' if you plan to take anyone. Use a 45 pound thrust electric motor, and an automatic boat loader. LOADMYBOAT.COM is what everyone in BC uses.

A boat would work if I was just going fishing, but I already tow a 23' trailer and you can't daisy chain a trailer and boat behind it, so I've used the inflatable several times and it's more comfortable than a fishing kayak or canoe, you can stand up in the raft (has an aluminum floor), 2 bench seats and you can switch positions front and rear with an inflatable keel and the electric trolling motor I have I've been impressed with how it handles the water. I'm 73 as an fyi. Not a perfect solution but it folds up reasonably compact and not too heavy. Takes about 20 mins to inflate.

 

[Friday yet?]

management

Management at my house has been known to derail some awesome (in my mind) plans!

 

[Jamie Jack]

Did you check out the loadmyboat website? This is how people with trailers carry fishing boats, you simply park your trailer in the campsite and then unload your boat at the launch. This is how older fishermen load and unload their boats, even if they don't have their trailers with them. It will work with inflatables. My comments about inflatables relate to using them as fishing platforms, nothing to do with hauling them or launching them.

 

[dtech]

Did you check out the loadmyboat website? This is how people with trailers carry fishing boats, you simply park your trailer in the campsite and then unload your boat at the launch. This is how older fishermen load and unload their boats, even if they don't have their trailers with them. It will work with inflatables. My comments about inflatables relate to using them as fishing platforms, nothing to do with hauling them or launching them.

that's pretty slick but also pretty $$$ . For me the inflatable is a solid fishing platform, portable, roomy, bench seats (makes sitting very comfortable), ability to stand and cast (aluminum floor), trolling motor and rod holders and what was a pleasant surprise how stable it was in choppy waters. I can take 2 other people in it , usually it's just my wife and at our age a kayak is a no go, been in them and didn't work for me. I boondock with my trailer and it's has solar so I can charge my lith-ion to run the trolling motor. Plus the Bris raft is durable enough to raft on the Colorado which is close to my house.

 

[mrmike7189]

How much would a small boat trailer cost?
It would be low to the ground and easy to load/unload. A bed extender is nice, I have one for my canoe and kayaks, but you have to lift higher and they are light. My canoe weighs 59 lbs. The OP has a 125 boat that he wants to lift by himself?

 

[AzScorpion]

How much would a small boat trailer cost. It would be low to the ground and easy to load/unload. A bed extender is nice, I have one for my canoe and kayaks, but you have to lift higher and they are light. My canoe weighs 59 lbs.

The OP has a 125 boat that he wants to lift by himself?

It shouldn't be a problem for him, he doesn't have a damper.

Unlike us damper guys we have trouble carrying a gallon of milk now.

 

[dtech]

How much would a small boat trailer cost. It would be low to the ground and easy to load/unload. A bed extender is nice, I have one for my canoe and kayaks, but you have to lift higher and they are light. My canoe weighs 59 lbs. The OP has a 125 boat that he wants to lift by himself?

To further explain the raft without the aluminum floor and seats is less than 100 lbs , but it 10.8' long and 5' wide , I will be using it mostly when I tow my 4200 lbs travel trailer which doesn't support towing anything , so the raft is inflatable , transported deflated in the Ranger bed but when I'm at a lake I want to keep it inflated and transport it to and from the campsite, so the bed extender is an excellent solution as I can flip the raft onto the Ranger bed and the extender and go to and from the campground staying inflated. The extender was just $50, compliments of Chinese mfg proficiency.

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