From Key Largo sandbars to Alaska’s wild fjords, these truck‑camper crews take boating to the next level. Part two dives into their big‑water rigs, family‑fun setups, and the road‑tested lessons that turn every launch into an adventure. Hang on!

If part one was about discovering the thrill of hitching a boat to your truck camper, part two is about taking that adventure further—bigger waters, bigger memories, and a few bigger challenges.

These owners tow everything from 8,000‑pound C‑Dory cruising boats and 22‑foot Hydra Sports center consoles to feather‑light 13‑foot river rafts and classic ’70s Lund fishing boats. Their playgrounds range from the calm backwaters of the Midwest to the surf‑splashed launch ramps of Key Largo, the remote coves of Lake Erie, and the glacier‑lined harbors of Alaska.

Along the way, they’ve learned what it takes to make these epic trips work: how to wrangle 48‑inch hitch extensions, the life‑saving value of trailer tire monitors, the magic of rear‑view cameras, and why a bottle jack and impact driver can save a road trip.

Some sleep aboard their boats at remote marinas; others drift rivers for steelhead and salmon, or pull their kids and grandkids across glassy lakes on tubes and skis.

This second installment showcases truck‑camper‑and‑boat rigs, their favorite waters, and the lessons that make combining the open road with open water the ultimate freedom. Hop in—we’re going farther, wilder, and splashier than ever!

Brian Caudle
2022 Ford F-350
2021 Northern Lite 8-11
2023 Clackacraft Big Eddy

We go on adventures across the western United States and Canada with family and/or friends. Time on the water is the best. Typically, we are floating rivers chasing trout, steelhead, and salmon. We also throw in plenty of family non-fishing lake and river day,s too.

Drift boats are an awesome tool for exploring really cool parts of our world. Floating down a river usually gets you away from the crowds and into beautiful sections of wilderness. A buddy once said, “The fish we chase don’t live in ugly places.”

Drift boats and truck campers go hand in hand. Both allow you to get off the beaten path while being safe and comfortable.

It takes a couple of extra steps to set up the rig for towing a boat. Also, we typically need to unload the camper to launch the boat. The spots we launch and take out typically are a little too aggressive to back the truck and camper down safely. It takes a few extra steps, but the river access is worth it.

Ed Heinlein
2021 Ford F-550
2021 Eagle Cap 1160
2022 Lund Pro Guide

I’ve always loved to fish, and my setup makes it easy to get out on the water. My Lund Pro Guide isn’t anything flashy, but it does the job.

When it came to planning this rig, I did my homework, and it paid off. There were no surprises and nothing I wish I had known ahead of time. Everything worked out exactly the way I hoped.

John Alward
2001 Dodge Ram 2500
2014 Lance 950S
2011 Sea Hunt XP19

I’ve always had a boat and grew up with boats. The current boat is my 36th boat. There is just nothing like being out on the water. We love to fish, snorkel, swim, and explore.

The Sea Hunt XP 19 is not too big or too small. It tows easily with only about 100 pounds of tongue weight and an overall weight of around 3,500 pounds.

Our setup works great. This is the second Lance camper I’ve had on this truck. The first was a 2002 Lance 1010. The biggest concern is watching the overall weight on the rear axle of the truck. The limit is 6,500 pounds max. When we leave for a trip fully stocked with clothes, food, water, and fuel, it’s right there.

J Com
1997 Ford F-350
1999 Lance Squire
1991 Eliminator Daytona 22

We like boating because of the family time. The extended tongue and trailer modifications make it easy to launch. My teenage daughter handles both launching and recovering the boat.

The addition of a rear sway bar, airbags, and tuned shocks made a huge difference in towing with a trailer.

Scott Bradfield
2014 GMC Sierra 2500
2023 Capri Retreat
2003 Four Winns Freedom

We enjoy time on the water with family and friends. We spend the day doing water sports, making memories, or simply drifting away!

Our Capri truck camper gave us the ease of one trip to the RV resort and marina. In years past, we had to make two trips. One to haul a travel trailer, and then turn and burn to go home for our boat.

There is nothing we would change about the setup we currently have. It’s given us such versatility and freedom.

Adam Drinkwine
2023 Chevy 3500
2021 Arctic Fox 811
2023 Smokercraft Adventurer 178 FS

In the upper Midwest, we chase trophy walleye year-round from Lake of the Woods during ice fishing to Vilas County, Wisconsin, and everywhere in between. It’s a passion my wife and I share.

The hours are long, but the reward is high when you accomplish your goal. There is no bad time on the water, but there are challenging times. It’s all about the adventure.

Our Smokercraft Adventurer 178 FS is aluminum and tough. It gets pulled up to many different shorelines and tied to trees. It has a canopy to keep the sun and rain off. We operate at night mostly, so it’s not for the faint of heart.

There are many features that make it a great fishing boat, from the advanced trolling motor to the deep V-shape hull to take on big waves. It also weighs just the right amount to keep the tongue weight within acceptable levels.

I recommend that you get a wireless backup camera from the start. Boat landings can be a challenge. Always practice G.O.A.L.—Get Out And Look. Use radios with your spotter when available. I fear no landing!

Nik Rende
2011 Ram 3500
Lance 1121
2004 Hydra Sports 212

We hauled our 21′ Hydra Sports center console behind our 2001 Lance 1121 from Maine to the Florida Keys three times. It was worth every single mile to make it happen.

Calusa is a marina community, and we would spend a couple of weeks at a site on the water. With our boat tied up, it was just steps away from our camper. Being able to step out of the camper and right onto the boat to visit a sandbar or go mangrove fishing was absolutely awesome!

The Hydra Sports 212 towed well behind our truck, but our trips were rarely without trials. The first year we were in the Keys and had had brake issues. What? A boat trailer with brake problems?

One year, we lost a bearing cap on the NJ Turnpike and had to find a trailer shop on a Saturday morning to replace the bearings. That year, we also had two blowouts on the trailer—one on the way down, and one on the way home! Fortunately, I always travel with a bottle jack and an impact driver. Otherwise, the towing experience was good.

Mark Kluberdanz
2016 Ford F-250
2011 Palomino Bronco
2018 Skeeter ZX200

I run a Ford F-250 with a Palomino Bronco truck camper and a Skeeter ZX200 in tow—a setup built for one thing: fishing.

Whether it’s a casual day on the water or a full-on competition, my world revolves around that boat. No boat, no fish… and if there’s no fish, what’s the point of camping?

Drew Milwrick
2022 Ford F250
2002 Adventurer 90RDS
2004 Polarcraft 14 foot Jon boat 8hp

Fishing is my favorite way to spend the day, and my little 14-foot Polarcraft makes it easy. It tows like a dream behind the Adventurer.

Douglas Tatman
2005 Dodge 3500
Various Lances and Arctic Foxes
18×60 Sea Arc Jon Boat

The addition of a truck camper provides housing, a bathroom, a kitchen, and dining area, and a tow vehicle for the boat. We use it as the tow vehicle even if we’re not spending the night. We always have food, water, a resting place for lunch, and extra clothes on board in case we get wet.

Opening the back door of the camper allows the driver to see the trailer and the guy driving the boat. Luckily, we can drive the boat onto and off of the trailer and don’t have to offload the camper.

Multiple rear-view cameras with different views out the back of the camper keep you safe and informed.

Eric Y
2017 Chevy 1500
2023 Outfitter Flatiron
2018 13’ Hyside River Raft

Lightweight, easy, and pure fun—my 13-foot Hyside raft turns every trip into an adventure. This setup is all about excitement on the water.

Pete Longo
2024 F-350
2004 Lance Lite 1025
2022 Skeeter FXR20

I like to go fishing and have the comfort of my camper. I can bring the dogs. And I have a full-size, tournament-ready bass boat.

Taking the tailgate off the truck is the hardest thing about a truck camper. Towing requires a 48 inch hitch extension, which is pretty heavy.

Ed Makowski
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500
1978 Honey Bee
1983 Bayliner

I mainly use the boat for fishing in Lake Erie. I tow it from my home in Barberton, Ohio. I also use the boat at Portage Lakes State Park to float on a hot Sunday afternoon. Then we’ll go to one of the restaurants around the lakes and return home in about fifteen minutes. I have a large garage where I store both the boat and the camper.

The boat is the ideal size for both Lake Erie and the smaller local lakes. I also have the perfect truck for towing. Everything for me worked out just fine.

I had purchased the truck to pull a large fifth wheel trailer that my wife and I once lived in and traveled for a job for three years.

Doug Core
2016 Ram 3500
2016 Lance 1172
2003 Ranger Cayman 191

I enjoy fishing, and my boat fits the type of fishing I do. I would have gotten a bigger truck, but this setup still works for me.

Scott Blomquist
2019 Chevy Silverado 3500
2012 Arctic Fox 860
2006 Duckworth Navigator

I enjoy the comforts of home and fishing anywhere we go. My boat is easy to load, unload, and launch just about anywhere.

Above: Kettle Falls Lake Roosevelt, Washington state

If I could do it over again, I would probably go with a dual rear wheel one-ton truck rather than a single rear wheel truck. It handles the load fine, butit  needed sway bars and airbags. With a dually truck, I’d have more stability.

Ernest Turner
2021 Ford F-350
2007 Lance 1131
2004 Boston Whaler Dauntless 180

We use our boat primarily for fishing, but Judy and I always take time out to find a quiet cove to swim, relax, and enjoy some amazing sunsets. They always seem more spectacular on the water!

I bought the boat first, but it’s a great fit for my truck and camper. It weighs in at 2,200 pounds. The 210 pound tongue weight is not a burden on our GVW limit. And the single axle trailer makes maneuvering campgrounds easy.

With a total length of 44 feet, we can often find a site with a long enough drive to keep the trailer connected. That saves a lot of time and work.

The trailer wheels are not easy to check in the mirrors. I had a flat on the highway and did not immediately catch it. The tire shredded, ripped off the fender, rear light, and did some minor damage to the boat.

With a pressure indicator, I could have caught it earlier. I am in the process of installing a trailer TPM interface from Ford that will give me peace of mind, along with a new set of tires.

Nick Perius
2017 Ford F-450
2021 Lance 1062
2020 Searay 270sdx

When we’re on the boat or camping with the boat, we relax and forget about the rigors of daily life.

The boat is large and looks good. There’s a lot of room for family and friends. As a bonus, it has a custom barbecue and bathroom for those long days on the water.

This setup is almost too large to tow behind the camper of this size. The Lance 1062 was optioned with the Ultra Deck Plus bumper. We love it, but it pushed us to a longer Torklift Super Truss. That pushed us to a weight distribution hitch. The larger brakes and the 19.5 tires of the Ford F-450, together with the SuperTruss and the Equal-I-zer weight distribution setup up keep everything in check.

Roman Sanders
2011 Chevy Silverado 2500
1998 Lance Legend 945
1993 Ski Sanger SE

What we love about boating is providing the ability to create really fun memories with our family and friends. I was raised water skiing behind my Grandpa’s Ski Sanger, so having one of my own and continuing the tradition is a very full-circle situation for me.

The fact that this early 90s Sanger is so light—approximately 200 pounds tongue weight—makes it a very manageable tow behind our camper. We typically stay within 150 miles of home base when taking the boat with us. With the light weightedness (yes, I made that word up), we wouldn’t hesitate to make a trip further.

Make sure to get an onboard compressor with Bluetooth remote for your truck. Make sure you run chains from the hook points of the extended hitch back to the hitch of the truck (which creates a less sway movement). Then, run chains from the boat to the extended hitch hook points.

Almost as important—check the structural tongue weight guide on the hitch—is, if possible, cutting the hitch so it sits flush with the back of the bumper.

Our 4-foot extended hitch has two pre-drilled pin options—42” and 48”. If you leave it in the longer position, you’ll need to crawl under the rig and remove it while camping to use the fold-down step on the camper bumper.

Forrest Renslow
2017 Ford F-350
2023 Northern Lite 9-6
2008 Idaho Boat (jet boat)

I have to take my boat camping. I would be lost without it on a body of water.

We fish a lot of different places and love to camp and fish. My boat is large enough to handle big water, but still small enough to tow with the camper on.

Christopher Prost
2012 Chevy Silverado 3500
2017 Lance 995
2009 Ranger Angler 1860

Teri Windom
2023 Chevy 2500
2023 Palomino SS-550
2023 Phoenix 721 Pro XP

I love the challenge of catching smallmouth bass!

We had the boat first. We love to fish, but hate tent camping. We needed to find a camper that we could tow the boat in and have amenities that made camping enjoyable.

The one thing I wish we had thought about was a larger truck bed so that we could have gotten a larger camper. We don’t want to use an extended hitch, so the camper can’t overhang the bed.

Ed Soto
2007 Dodge Ram 3500
2009 Northern Lite 8-11
2012 22’ Hewescraft Searunner

Boating is a great way to enjoy the ocean. Once our family or friends are on the boat, there are very few distractions, and the ocean teaches us so much. Because of the distances we tow in Alaska, the truck camper allows us to do multi-day adventures while having the boat along with us.

The Hewescraft tows wonderfully on its two-axle trailer. The truck, camper, and boat combination is perfect for towing. We can launch while having the comforts of home with us. We camp and fish in many of the port communities in Southcentral Alaska this way. The boat comfortably seats four adults.

We’ve had two truck, camper, and boat combinations before this, and this one is by far our favorite. We also have a 17’ jet boat and a 12’ raft for fishing rivers. We tow those as well.

The first lesson we learned is that you can never have enough truck. Our 3500 comfortably handles the camper and boat with excess capability. The second lesson is that two-axle trailers provide redundancy and safety. And keep the trailer brakes and bearings serviced every year.

Roy Pack
2015 Ford F-250
2008 BigFoot 9.4SB
1973 Lund VFR 15

Boating and fishing are the main reasons we’ve owned truck campers since 1969.

In 1971, we purchased a new GMC pickup with a Dreamer camper and towed a Glastron boat to camp, fish, and waterski with our family of five in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The 1986 camper and boat picture is at Platte Creek Campground on the Missouri River in South Dakota.

We’ve been able to make any fishing boat work with a truck camper set up.

Nick Rukavina
2024 F-350 King Ranch
2023 Bundutec Foadrunner
2016 C-Dory 25

Marcia and I have been boating for the 30 years we’ve been married. Our love of boating focuses mostly on cruising and fishing.

While our boat lives at a marina in the western basin of Lake Erie during the summer months, we’ve towed Valkyrie(s) to many locations, including all of the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Florida Keys, Lake Powell, Erie Canal, the eastern ICW from Chesapeake Bay to Key West, and numerous inland lakes and rivers.

We find the Intracoastal Waterway on the East Coast fascinating, especially the old towns that were in existence during the Revolutionary War and before. Visiting by water, just like the early colonists, makes the connection with the past come alive for us.

In 2005, we bought our first power cruising boat, a C-Dory 22, which we named Valkyrie. In 2016, we sold our 22 and purchased a C-Dory 25, Valkyrie II.

In December, we trailer Valkyrie II from Ohio to the Florida Keys and live aboard for two to three months at a small marina in Marathon. Blackfin Marina is a bit of “old Florida.”

C-Dorys are simple, unpretentious boats that are extremely seaworthy. They are capable of going far offshore safely if the owner does their part.

They have a shallow draft, which allows them to go into skinny water where larger craft can’t venture. One reason for this is a relatively flat bottom, which lets us get on a plane at low speeds. This makes for good fuel economy, but also causes the boat to pound a bit in choppy water.

Fully loaded, Valkyrie II weighs about 8,000 pounds, which is the most that I’d like to tow behind our rig. We could tow a larger boat and still be within towing capacity, but the added space needed to carve out larger turns is prohibitive.

With our boat and camper rig set up as it is, we have plenty of power. It’s level on the road, and we averaged 12.3 miles per gallon on our trip from Ohio to Florida and back.

Over the years, we’ve developed what we consider the perfect truck and camper setup for our needs. We have a 2024 Ford F-350 King Ranch, long bed, super crew with a 6.7 Power Stroke Diesel and its amazing 10-speed transmission.

We modified the truck with an S&B 68 gallon replacement fuel tank, which almost always gives us a range of 1,000 miles when not towing. We also added HD Bilstein shocks, a Hellwig Big Wig sway bar, and Ready Logic dual airbags to supplement our suspension.

We are very conscious of our weight capacities and, even with the extra weight caused by our oversize fuel tank and 600 pounds of tongue weight, we are within our limit weight. Our Bundutec Roadrunner, which we had built to our exact specs, weighs in at 2,400 pounds dry.

If you missed it, check out Truck Campers Go Boating: Part 1.