cabover camper and launching boats

I'm looking into buying a truck and complimenting with a cabover camper. I'd also like to be able to tow and launch my raft, maybe a sled in the future.

The more consideration I give this the more I think it's potentially not very feasible. Places I fish, OP/Grays harbor, Kalama primarily. I know this setup will limit certain launch options.

Hoping for some insight into this endeavor from people that have already made the mistakes so I don't have to.

i have seen guys put a hitch on the front bumper to launch with rigs like that

Had that option for a number of years; 10 foot camper and drift boat. You know the reality - that camper will limit your ability to launch (easily) at some locations and it is all about trade offs. We used the camper as a family RV but if it had just been for no more than two guys fishing I would certainly stay with an 8 foot length to avoid the drop at the back end and need for an extended bumper to tow and be sure to check truck gross vehicle weight limitations.

Sure nice to have a warm, dry place and hot food when and where you want them.

I've had 3 truck campers, first was regular 8.5 foot camper. Found out real quick that I couldn't get in to alot drift boat launches and Shuttle drivers were scared to drive it when icy at all. Sold that and bought a low profile popular camper with removable Jacks. It worked great for drift boat launches and going off road anything. Downfall to that camper is u have to put the top up and down everyday. No big dea til u are launching at crazy hours in the morning and get sick of the extra time and effort it takes when your that tired. Sold that one and went back to a regular truck camper as I'm don't use my drift boat near as much as my sled and I have yet to find a launch I couldn't use with camper and sled. Make sure you have a daily driver also so u don't have to take the camper off often. Otherwise you won't use it

Just eliminate, what you think might be a problem launch. There is nothing worse than to get to a boat launch and see a person trying to launch and not able to get the job done.

I like all the above answers......front hitch is a good one, for sure you can see soooo much better, with this setup.

Good luck .........

Was the truck a full size 8' bed? Any idea who the manufacturer of your pop-up was?

yes 8' truck bed. its not a truck if its shorter, imo, and definetly wouldn't want a shortbox with a camper. my pop up was a jayco sportster but they harder to find. look into palomino campers

I currently have and use for towing an 01 Dodge Quad Cab Diesel 4x4 with a 10' camper on. Have and tow both, a drift boat and 21' No River Seahawk. The only limitations for drift boat launches are overhead obstructions or super rough access. That being said it's not a Toyota p/u for turning radius, so limitations exist. The No River obviously only gets launched on slab launches. Years of backing experience using mirrors only is a must for both, and can still be a challenge. It's not a small setup and larger truck driving experience helps. Most buy the super hitch style extension to get the receiver/ball beyond the camper bumper. I have an 18" extension purchased from Torklift in Kent. They also make the "Superhitch". I modified/reinforced the 18" extension with side chain turnbuckles and it works great on the No River. It weighs 5000#. I did move the trlr axles forward a foot to take some tongue weight off. On Forks DB trips, I fortunately have a buddy that lives there for a base camp. I generally take the camper off to prevent limitations there. Fishing aside, my family of 4 have had many great camping trips all over the NW and West Coast. Have had this setup for 15yrs and used the [Bleeeeep!] out of it. Wouldn't have done it any other way.

I had an 11' extended cab over camper for several years and used in conjunction with both drift oats and my jet boat. I added airbags to the F250, for weight which were excellent and a four foot stinger for the hitch.
The only issue I ever had was height, with tree branches limiting access to some launches, especially over around Forks, and other coastal rivers.