6 Best Jon Boats for RV Transport

You’ve found the perfect campsite, tucked away beside a glassy lake, but the best fishing spots are in a cove across the water. Or maybe you’re boondocking by a slow-moving river, wishing you could explore the bends just out of sight. This is the moment where the freedom of RV life hits a literal wall: the shoreline.

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Jon Boats: Unlocking Waterside RV Freedom

A jon boat is the classic, no-nonsense solution. It’s a simple, flat-bottomed utility boat, traditionally made of aluminum, that offers incredible stability for its size. That flat bottom lets you glide into water that’s just inches deep, opening up shallow coves and shorelines that V-hull boats can’t touch. For an RVer, this is the key to unlocking the other half of your campsite.

The real magic isn’t the boat itself, but the access it provides. It transforms a "water-view" spot into a "water-access" basecamp. Suddenly, you’re not just looking at the lake; you’re part of it. This is about more than just fishing—it’s about exploring, finding total solitude, and experiencing a location in a way that’s impossible from land.

Of course, the challenge is getting it there. Toting a boat with an RV requires a different mindset than just hooking up a trailer to your weekend truck. Weight, size, and ease of loading are paramount. The best jon boat for an RVer is one that integrates into your existing setup without becoming a logistical nightmare.

Lowe L1032 Jon: The Classic Lightweight Choice

When you picture a simple jon boat, you’re probably picturing something like the Lowe L1032. At 10 feet long and weighing only about 80 pounds, this is the baseline for portable, hard-sided boats. It’s a riveted aluminum boat built for one or two people and a small trolling motor or short-shaft outboard.

That 80-pound weight is the key feature. It’s manageable for two people to easily lift onto a truck bed or a low roof rack. A strong person can often handle it alone, sliding it into place rather than dead-lifting it. This simplicity means you don’t need complex hoists or a trailer, keeping your entire RV rig nimble and compact.

The tradeoff for being so light is performance in rough conditions. This is a calm water vessel. On a windy day with some chop, you’ll feel every wave. But for its intended purpose—poking around calm lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers—it’s an affordable and incredibly practical choice.

Tracker Topper 1036: Ideal for RV Roof Racks

The Tracker Topper series is purpose-built to be transported on top of a vehicle, making it a natural fit for RVs. The 1036 model is slightly wider and heavier than the Lowe, typically weighing in around 100 pounds. That extra width and weight add a noticeable amount of stability on the water.

This boat is a fantastic candidate for a roof rack on a Class C, Class B, or truck camper. Its sturdy, flat gunwales (the top edges of the boat’s sides) provide a solid surface for strapping it down securely. While 100 pounds is a serious lift for one person, it’s very manageable for two, and the boat’s stable design makes it feel secure both on the water and on the roof.

Think of the Tracker Topper as the workhorse option. It’s built from riveted aluminum and designed to handle the bumps and vibrations of travel. It’s not the lightest, but its blend of portability, durability, and on-the-water stability makes it one of the most popular and trusted choices for car-toppers and RVers alike.

Sun Dolphin Pro 102: Stable Polyethylene Design

Moving away from aluminum, the Sun Dolphin Pro 102 offers a completely different feel. It’s made from rugged, high-density polyethylene—the same kind of stuff used for kayaks. This material makes the boat incredibly durable against bumps and scrapes, and it’s much quieter on the water than an aluminum hull.

The standout feature is its stability. The modified tri-hull design makes it feel much wider and more secure than a flat-bottom jon boat of the same size. For anglers who want to stand and cast or for anyone who feels a bit nervous in a small boat, this is a huge confidence booster. It also comes with features like seats, cup holders, and storage compartments molded directly into the design.

The primary tradeoff is weight. Polyethylene is heavier than aluminum, and the Pro 102 tips the scales at around 115 pounds. This pushes it out of the "easy solo lift" category and firmly into the "two-person job" or "requires a loading aid" territory. But if rock-solid stability and impact resistance are your top priorities, the extra weight is a worthy compromise.

G3 Gator Tough 1036: A Durable, Welded Option

For the RVer who is serious about their fishing and demands durability, the G3 Gator Tough 1036 is a step up. The most important feature here is its all-welded construction. While riveted boats are perfectly fine, welded seams are inherently stronger and have zero chance of developing the small leaks that can sometimes plague older, well-used riveted hulls.

This boat is built to last a lifetime. It’s designed to be a rugged workboat, and that construction can withstand the rigors of being constantly loaded, unloaded, and used in rougher environments. It’s heavier than its riveted counterparts, often weighing over 120 pounds, but what you get in return is peace of mind.

Consider this the "buy it once, cry it once" option. It costs more, and its weight requires a well-thought-out transport plan. But if you plan to use your boat frequently and don’t want to ever worry about popping a rivet or developing a leak from travel vibrations, the welded G3 is an investment in long-term, trouble-free adventures.

Sea Eagle 285fpb: The Ultimate Inflatable Pick

If you have no way to transport a hard-sided boat, an inflatable is your answer. But forget pool toys; the Sea Eagle 285fpb (Frameless Pontoon Boat) is a serious, purpose-built fishing craft. It’s designed for one person, with a stable pontoon-style hull, a rigid floorboard for standing, and mounts for a motor and gear.

The transport advantage is undeniable. The entire boat, floor, and seat deflate and pack into a storage bag that can fit in an RV basement, the back of a tow vehicle, or even a large closet. It weighs under 45 pounds packed. This completely eliminates the need for a rack or trailer, making it the most versatile option for any type of RV, from a massive Class A to a small van conversion.

Of course, there are tradeoffs. You have to inflate and assemble it at the launch site, which takes about 10-15 minutes. And while the material is incredibly tough, a puncture is always a possibility, unlike with an aluminum boat. However, for those constrained by space, the Sea Eagle 285fpb offers unparalleled portability without sacrificing on-the-water capability.

Porta-Bote Genesis IV: The Ultimate Folding Boat

The Porta-Bote is one of the most ingenious and unconventional solutions out there. As the name implies, it’s a hard-sided boat that folds. The polypropylene hull is nearly indestructible and hinges allow it to fold flat to a thickness of just four inches.

This unique design makes it incredibly easy to transport. You can strap it to the side of your RV or van, mount it on a roof rack like a surfboard, or even slide it into a large storage bay. It takes up almost no width, which is a massive advantage over a traditional jon boat that has to be carried flat.

The user experience is a bit different. Assembly involves unfolding the hull and inserting the seats and transom, which takes some practice but becomes quick with experience. Once assembled, it’s a surprisingly stable and seaworthy craft. For RVers who want a durable, hard-sided boat but are severely limited on transport space, the Porta-Bote is a brilliant, problem-solving design.

Choosing Your RV Jon Boat Transport Method

The perfect boat is useless if you can’t get it to the lake. Your transport method is just as important as the boat itself, and it’s dictated by your RV, your tow vehicle, and your physical ability. Don’t buy a boat until you have a solid plan for moving it.

Here are the most common approaches:

• Truck Bed: The simplest method if you tow a trailer with a pickup. Slide the boat in, secure it, and go. The main limitation is the length of your truck’s bed.
• RV or Truck Roof Rack: A great option for motorhomes, vans, and truck toppers. You must have a quality rack and a safe plan for loading and unloading. This is often a two-person job, especially with boats over 100 pounds.
• Vertical RV Rack: These racks, often mounted to the rear ladder or a reinforced bumper, hold a very lightweight boat vertically. This is only suitable for the lightest boats (under 100 lbs) and requires a very robust mounting system.
• Small Trailer: A trailer offers the easiest launching, but it adds length, weight, and another set of tires to maintain. It often defeats the purpose of a "simple" boat setup for many RVers.

Ultimately, your decision comes down to a simple question: What is the heaviest, most awkward item you are willing to move every time you want to go boating? Be realistic. A 120-pound welded boat on a high roof rack might seem feasible in theory, but it can quickly become a chore you avoid. The best jon boat for your RV is the one you’ll actually use.

Choosing a portable boat isn’t just about adding another piece of gear to your RV. It’s about fundamentally changing how you interact with the places you travel. It’s the tool that turns a pretty view into an immersive experience, giving you the freedom to explore beyond the water’s edge.