This was posted on the Texas RV Camping group at Facebook. We’ve heard of barges for rent where you can drive on your RV for a houseboat kinda experience. But, really, is this setup safe?
But this looks a little too tight to us. You have to wonder what would happen if a big wind came up and the waves starting tossing this “houseboat” around.
What do you think? Is this a good idea or not? Your comments are welcome.
The FREE RVtravel.com newsletter is filled with great RV information, advice, and news written by RV experts, delivered right to your inbox. Never any SPAM and we will NEVER sell your information! When you subscribe, you'll get three checklists that every RVer should have as a thank you!
A Permanent Address for RV Freedom — Full-time RVers trust America’s Mailbox for mail forwarding, residency help, and reliable support from the road.
Our most popular articles this week:
SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR RV?
Good news! We have more than 3,500 articles in our “RV Maintenance and Repair” category, so we’re confident we can help you solve the problem. In addition, did you know you can search our website using the search bar at the top of every page for keywords or topics that interest you or that you need help with? Yep, we’ve got you covered!
Everything on sale for RVers right now. Yes, right now! Click here.
Please follow our rules for commenting.
As they say you can’t fix stupid
Can’t fix it but(you can laugh at it).:)
Join the discussion…Dumber than dirt. top heavy.
It’s a good idea, until you wake up one morning, forget where you are and PLOOCH, in for a swim! The same goes for nighttime, “PLOOCH”
And then you hear: “Honey, can you get me a towel”!
Boat too small for intended purpose. But, you cannot fix stupid. The laws of physics will take over, Gravity wins every time.
But, it is an excellent idea, poorly engineered.
Rest assured, someone took a bet that they could or could not do this. It reminds me of those top heavy cruise ships
This is done all the time in the oilfield for frac pumps, air cans and other equipment. Put it on a barge, lash it down and float it out into the gulf.
Floating your RV out in the water beats sitting in the cab of a truck on the water!
As a longtime boater and ocean sailor (50 years), I can tell you that this particular set up has a barge area that is way too small for the windage of the unit placed atop it simply from a stability point of view alone, not to mention from a safety perspective – not enough personal room outside the rig nor ability to control the unit’s path across the water! A disaster waiting to happen!
“The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits!” Albert Einstein
Hold my beer !
Don’t drink too many longnecks!
It doesn’t look like it’s “lashed down”. That would be MY concern. The water looks placid enough – right now. What does the name on the side of the trailer say?
Ha ha! It says “Splash” with a dolphin(?) jumping over it. 😆 Yes, that’s the brand of the trailer. Thanks for asking, Tommy! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I think it is “Titanic” lol
Well I for one say GENIUS!
Of course, I would go for a larger barge as the base.
Betting he has the stabilization pads bolted into the wood deck. I wood 😛 Depending on how its anchored, I would guess it probably weather-vanes into the wind. Seeing the tender boat, I doubt it is ever taken into open water, but tied off to an offshore anchor point in a protected bay. Anything short of a major storm and Bubba is living the dream in his National Splash.
They only problem I see is there is no name on the back? That’s bad luck.
Simple answer? NO!! That said, a larger barge with good ballast underneath might work but, you mentioned high winds so… still NO!! NOT FOR ME ANYWAY.
As they said in Jaws “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”…. Think I would pass for now….:-)
If you look close, you can see the cables anchoring it down, though the barge is too small for my liking. Also the very basic trailer should handle the waves ok, opposed to a rig with slide outs. Slide outs subjected to wave motion in the open position would not be good.
Redneck Yacht Club!!
Beer was involved during the design phase.
How many ways can I say NO,NO and again NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can’t fix STUPID; only what STUPID does.
I like the idea. I would need more details but I like the idea.
What could possibly go wrong?
First part of the name is all you need to know about who would do this.
Jessie, Say again?? Be more specific please…
I noticed the barge is not big enough for the tongue jack to be supporting the front and any manufacturers will tell you the stabilizers are not designed to support the weight of the camper so they may experience that sinking feeling before it falls off the barge. This could have at least one positive, it may prevent them from breeding their genes into other unsuspecting children. Lol
It looks as thought the steps are retracted. Extending them and the last step is at the edge of the barge. As others said, not enough barge for the size and height of the trailer.
Do they use that little boat to pull the barge?
This seems to be an old article just reposted. Is there anything new?
Not a really good idea. There is a reason boat designers and RV designers with in different buildings.
I’m surprised the authorities allowed it on the water. Its a very poor example of an idea better left to a professional boat/barge builder’s consideration. I can only imagine how he loaded the trailer.
Ray, “The Authorities”? If Required Coast Guard equipment are on board and the barge is registered “The Authorities” have no say in what you float….
You are aware that a real houseboat is nothing more than an RV on the water? I personally would want it wider and longer to offer more stability, but the idea has some merit.
Backing onto it would not be a problem, just have barge well secured to pier/dock. Or could have loaded on land and then launched it into water. As long as barge meets safety requirements for vessel, RV is good to go, because its all self contained, which a real barge/houseboat would be as well. If you have never taken RV onto a ferry, then it’s no big deal once you do. Companies will transport RV and you inside to Alaska for $$$$$, no real difference as I see it.
Just looking at it makes me cringe – top heavy, not enough room between the steps and the water … need I go on?
I wouldn’t do it.
What could possibly go wrong……..
That’s a coffin ready for it’s watery grave.
Hold my beer, I gots us a lake side parking spot!
I’d definitely want a larger barge, at least 1/3 if not 1/2 as large. There is zero access to the opposite side of the RV without getting in the dinghy, and that is a HUGE hazard. If there were a sudden storm to come up (and if this is along the Gulf Coast as based on the boat in the background that’s a possibility) there is very little safety margin.
How would you explain it to the insurance company?
The way the boat is lashed off the barge makes me think that they are just transporting the trailer to a location farther along the waterway.
Love It !!