Towing trailer with fifth wheel

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by Murbella7

I believe everyone can benefit from a bit of extra knowledge, even me.

Maybe you can teach auto correct to always use the correct word.

[Murbella7]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Maybe you can teach auto correct to always use the correct word.

Now that is something I wouldn't ever attempt. I turn it off and suffer the consequences of continually correcting before submitting or leaving the embarrassing mess and wait for the repercussions.

[wildcatter]

I double tow (triple to some), I tow a flatbed cargo trailer with two motorcycles (04 fatboy and 14 street glide), I am 1 inch short of 65 feet, I am legal in all the states I travel in, most states are 65 feet, there are some that are shorter and some are longer, my total weight is approx 14K, my truck has a towing capacity of 17.5K. I did re-enforce the bumper and the camper frame. And some states you can't legally tow this set up, I have been to or through every state in the mid-west, except for Illinois, I don't like Illinois. With the right truck you don't even know the length is behind, the length has nothing to do with stopping distance, it is the weight and I am 3800 lbs under my towing capacity and not even close to my CCC. I will say this, if you travel the back roads you better plan, you do not want to find your self in a situation where you have to turn around and there is no room, been there done that.

[Paul and Debbie]

I pull a 15' Boston Whaler boat behind my 2013 Crusader 325RES Touring model - my tow vehicle is a 2005 Ford Super Duty F250 Crew cab - long wheel base. All total I am about 75'. Utah is fine & I think Idaho too. Nevada and California, Washington and Oregon don't allow it. Looks like a previous blog response said it is common in Arizona.

I was dodging the Utah highway patrol thinking I heard there was a length limit of 72' or something. I would pull off the highway and take side roads to avoid my obvious long load being discovered.

Then I found out that there is no legal restriction on length of pulling double trailers on non-commercial trailers as long as you drive safe, are properly equipped, all lights and blinkers are in order. Utah welcomes and encourages recreational tourism in their state including double trailers. But again - they are tough on un-safe speed and equipment in poor shape that endangers everyone sharing the highway.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by wildcatter

I double tow (triple to some), I tow a flatbed cargo trailer with two motorcycles (04 fatboy and 14 street glide), I am 1 inch short of 65 feet, I am legal in all the states I travel in, most states are 65 feet, there are some that are shorter and some are longer, my total weight is approx 14K, my truck has a towing capacity of 17.5K. I did re-enforce the bumper and the camper frame. And some states you can't legally tow this set up, I have been to or through every state in the mid-west, except for Illinois, I don't like Illinois. With the right truck you don't even know the length is behind, the length has nothing to do with stopping distance, it is the weight and I am 3800 lbs under my towing capacity and not even close to my CCC. I will say this, if you travel the back roads you better plan, you do not want to find your self in a situation where you have to turn around and there is no room, been there done that.

How easy is it to back up

As for weight being an issue, it's rarely weight that becomes an issue. It's the "conga line" that can form behind you when you get passed by semi's or have to make evasive maneuvers. Not good when you see the side of your trailer in the LH mirror and the side of your boat in the RH mirror

[D W]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Here's an old thread with some real "outside the box" ideas applied to how you can bring a golf cart and a fifth wheel along:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...art-69561.html

Ultimately though, I believe most of this was theoretical.

Back to the original question, about whether or not it's legal to double tow, I'm curious how the reciprocal laws work between states. Seems contradictory to say "If you're legal in your state, you're legal here" when applied to weight limits , but on the flip side to say "Don't matter if you're legal in your state, you're illegal here" when applied to the double tow.

Not that I'm advocating double towing. Personally, I'd never consider double towing, as I would never be able to backup like that. I have enough trouble backing up short utility trailers as it is before you add a second articulating joint to the mix. But that's me, and I'm not the OP.

The only reciprocity that is granted is a valid Driver's License and a valid Vehicle Registration. Beyond that you must comply with that state's laws. That State Trooper is not concerned with what is legal in another state.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

How easy is it to back up

I know that was in jest- but the backing up issue is a moot point. Any motorhome that is towing 4-down can’t.

[paverdave]

Here in nevada the overall lenght is 70' and california is 65'.....been pulling boat for years, never a problem....

[spock123]

I think you can pull a double as long as you stay on the interstate or drive no more than a few miles off the interstate. I see double pulling in South Carolina, I have seen that in Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by spock123

I think you can pull a double as long as you stay on the interstate or drive no more than a few miles off the interstate. I see double pulling in South Carolina, I have seen that in Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach.

I asked a PA cop about that based on something I read here on the forum. It sounds like that is NOT the case. As I understood it, states can make laws that are more restrictive than the federal laws on interstates and those laws take precedence.

But, this is the telephone game (I asked and am paraphrasing). So, take it with a grain of salt.

[wildcatter]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

How easy is it to back up

As for weight being an issue, it's rarely weight that becomes an issue. It's the "conga line" that can form behind you when you get passed by semi's or have to make evasive maneuvers. Not good when you see the side of your trailer in the LH mirror and the side of your boat in the RH mirror

I can back about 20 feet in most cases, other than that I am unhooking the MC trailer , as far as length no big deal. it is easy to pull, I try not to get myself into a position where I have to worry, but that is why I have the truck I have :-), I would have had a dually but no the DW said noooooooooooooooooo.

[18CrewDually]

From NJ to Sarasota to Orlando & back to NJ many times. Never an issue on Interstates when travelling portal to portal. Along the eastern seaboard, except MD., it's not legal for RV to double tow if you're off the Interstate in a town. Limiting factor for me was the 65' which I'm right at. I passed and was passed by dozens of Sheriffs & State Police over the years which they never gave a second look. Plus to have an enforceable offense there would be a statute for it. Most L.E. wouldn't even know if there was one nevermind to be able to write you a summons for it.
This is all you see out west, especially Idaho where I first discovered it nearly 20 years ago. When we check in at campgrounds I always ask if they see this much? They all have seen it but more commonly seen in the Florida gulf for whatever reason. Be sure to have a proper hitch installed with safety chains and wired for the tag-a-long. Have 4 points of attachment for the load (golf car). I also wired in a camera so I can view the rear trailer anytime. The more you look like you know what you're doing the less likely you'll ever have a problem.
So can it be done? Everyday. Is it legal in North Carolina? Maybe not, but either is traveling 60 in a 55. Is it the operators responsibility? You bet.
So let's hear from experienced folks instead of naysayers with no real experience. Here's a couple pics.

[GreenImp]

I would double tow in a heartbeat... if it was allowed in my state (Oregon). IIRC when I checked into it a few years ago, Oregon allowed it for those who are "passing through", but not to local residents.

For those concerned about backing when double towing... it's a sacrifice you must make in order to bring all your stuff along. Even the commercial trucks have this restriction (realistic restriction, not legal restriction). Ever watch the delivery trucks with doubles pull into your local Walmart/Kroger/UPS etc. and unhook before backing into the dock?

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by RECONUSMC

The DOT considers the Idaho Tote a Tag unit which means it is an extension of your RV. It attaches two solid points to the RV and does not have a pivot point like a trailer. It has articulating axles so you can back up the RV and Tote as one!!! Just got one for my Arctic Wolf 5th and it is great but not cheap. Legal everywhere. Comes in 6ft to 10ft lengths. Hope this helps http://www.idahotote.com/wp-content/...ote_update.pdf

I see you have a letter saying that it legal in Idaho but it does not say anything about being legal in other states. did I miss the other letter from federal DOT ??

For instance a letter from Idaho DOT would not stand up in a Virginia court only a letter from Virginia DOT or federal DOT would.

[dieselguy]

I'll stand with 05CrewDually on the subject of double towing or whatever you want to argue about calling it. I have no plans to ever travel either coast ... it's legal here in the mid-west where I frequent many lakes, so it fits for us. Since the late 90's, I've double towed either a double jet ski trailer or the current squirt boat behind 3 different Montana's and now my Silverback. I have a rear mount camera above the rear window of the fiver to keep an eye on things. Am I over length ... a bit and always have been. Have I ever been stopped ... never. If your setup looks professional and you drive with common sense, you'll not be a target to be stopped. Have I ever had frame issues ... never. Did I have a special hitch made ... yes, a sturdy one. Did I worry about frame warranty ... no. Do I have an issue backing up ... not really for say the length of my setup. I have only had to unhook the boat trailer once in 18 years and it was my fault for turning down the wrong campground roadway. If you plan your fuel stops and where you turn into ... backing up is a non issue. Like any topic there are believers and non-believers ... 05CrewDually typed out an interesting sentence "So let's hear from experienced folks instead of naysayers with no real experience." You're hearing from me.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by spock123

I think you can pull a double as long as you stay on the interstate or drive no more than a few miles off the interstate. I see double pulling in South Carolina, I have seen that in Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach.

My suggestion is you may do it for years and not get stopped but that one time that they make you leave the second trailer to be towed off can be costly.

I too see it at Ocean lakes rarely but probably at a rate of one per 2000 campers. I think if it were legal you would see it more often.

[dieselguy]

Consider this ... if you are obsessively worried about "that one time" related to a given subject ... you're sure going to miss some fun in life. Years ago, the back row at a drive-in turned out to be a great marriage for me.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

Consider this ... if you are obsessively worried about "that one time" related to a given subject ... you're sure going to miss some fun in life. Years ago, the back row at a drive-in turned out to be a great marriage for me.

I would think that it depends on what that one time is........... and what the definition of "fun" is.......

A group of my son's friends often went swimming in a posted no trespassing quarry as it was fun............. The outcome one day changed a young man's life forever...... if nothing had have happened would that make it ok ???

[D W]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

Consider this ... if you are obsessively worried about "that one time" related to a given subject ... you're sure going to miss some fun in life.

Bonnie Parker & Clyde Barrow operated on that exact philosophy.

[onetonford]

Originally Posted by Paul and Debbie

I pull a 15' Boston Whaler boat behind my 2013 Crusader 325RES Touring model - my tow vehicle is a 2005 Ford Super Duty F250 Crew cab - long wheel base. All total I am about 75'. Utah is fine & I think Idaho too. Nevada and California, Washington and Oregon don't allow it. Looks like a previous blog response said it is common in Arizona.

I was dodging the Utah highway patrol thinking I heard there was a length limit of 72' or something. I would pull off the highway and take side roads to avoid my obvious long load being discovered.

Then I found out that there is no legal restriction on length of pulling double trailers on non-commercial trailers as long as you drive safe, are properly equipped, all lights and blinkers are in order. Utah welcomes and encourages recreational tourism in their state including double trailers. But again - they are tough on un-safe speed and equipment in poor shape that endangers everyone sharing the highway.

My dad always double towed his fiver with his boat it is legal in California if you get a restricted class 1 cdl (no air brakes) or CDL. Many years ago my cousin who is a truck driver used to double tow TT's I always told him he was nuts.