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.
Love It !!
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.
How would you explain it to the insurance company?
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.
Hold my beer, I gots us a lake side parking spot!
That’s a coffin ready for it’s watery grave.
What could possibly go wrong……..
I wouldn’t do it.
Just looking at it makes me cringe – top heavy, not enough room between the steps and the water … need I go on?
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.
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.
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….
Not a really good idea. There is a reason boat designers and RV designers with in different buildings.
This seems to be an old article just reposted. Is there anything new?
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?
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
First part of the name is all you need to know about who would do this.
Jessie, Say again?? Be more specific please…
What could possibly go wrong?
I like the idea. I would need more details but I like the idea.
Can’t fix STUPID; only what STUPID does.