Transporting Colorado XT Pontoon

I just recently purchased a Colorado XT pontoon, and am trying to figure out the best way to get it to my destinations. I have a RAM 2500 with a 6'4" bed, but the issue is, when I go fishing, I also go camping. I'm towing a 28' travel trailer, and have the truck bed full of gear (generator, tables, stoves, etc..).

I'm wondering what other's are doing in similar situations? I was thinking of a truck rack, but I'm not sure how easily I'll be able to hoist the pontoon onto the rack. Anyone else using a rack and find it doable? I'd rather not have to break it down and put it together everytime if I can avoid it.

Thoughts or suggestions are appreciated!

Good question we need a brain storming session let me see what I can come up with anyone else have any ideas.

Forgive me being off-topic and probably not helpful since I don't know where you fish while using the camper but - have you thought about scaling back and just fishing an actual float tube and not a 9' boat with oars, seating and multiple rod holders?

HNTFSH wrote:Forgive me being off-topic and probably not helpful since I don't know where you fish while using the camper but - have you thought about scaling back and just fishing an actual float tube and not a 9' boat with oars, seating and multiple rod holders?  

I actually have a float tube, with all the mods and gadgets. I decided I'd rather have a 'toon with a trolling motor to get up and out of the water, and to more easily use on larger bodies of water.

Makes sense a little more stable and stout.

Trade off's, there is no perfect boat for everything. But I got lost at trolling motor. lol

OK back to the question at hand. Here is something I have seen once before. Maybe this would work for you.
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That's actually a really neat idea! Unfortunately I already have a travel trailer using the hitch. Even with some kind of 'splitter' I'm not sure there'd be room to allow for maneuvering the trailer.

Thanks for finding that though!

The only other idea I have is the Truck rack like you mentioned. But maybe someone else will have an idea.

Can you put the toon in first and stack around it?

Two 6 foot long pieces of 8 inch wide plywood on top of the gear to slide the toon on.

A camping helper to lift the toon over everything. 

A kayak lift in the garage.  Back the truck bed in and lower the toon.

Good luck buddy and let us know how you sort this out.

My two cents after brainstorming for 20 seconds:

Attach some large mechanical-hooks and or rigid tie-down eyes to the back-side of your 28 foot trailer.
Strap it to the backside of your trailer! (If you have the space above your bumper)!!!
It will be aerodynamic while providing an out-of-the-way storage while being fully assembled.
Ha ha ha!!! It took me longer to write it down here than it took me to think about it!!!
Problem solved!!!
Next!!!
lol

Thanks all for the replies. I'm going to try the truck rack and see how it goes. If it works, I'll post a pic of the final setup in case anyone else is having the same issue.

Looking forward to hearing and seeing if it works for you.

I wanted to show what I finally came up with and how it worked.

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The rack worked better than expected! I can load and unload by myself, which was a critical consideration. Once up there and snugged down, there was no movement and I was completely happy with how it handled.

It does take a bit of muscle-ing to get it up there, but it's no where near as bad as I was anticipating.

Overall, I would totally recommend this as an option for anyone looking to transport an inflatable pontoon!

-Cheers!

That is great so glad you figured it out. And even better that it was not as hard you thought to load it up. Well done and thanks for sharing with us.

It looks cool up there and all your gear fits.

What ever works, works!