I'm wanting to tow my 2015 crew cab, short box truck on a trailer behind a motorhome. The manual states the truck is 231"x79.9", but I'm worried about weight distribution on the trailer and whether it will fit or not. Does it seem practical to tow my truck on a 22' or 24' aluminum trailer? Does anyone have experience with this?

 

Yes, Id tow it on a 24 foot trailer. It will tow fine facing forward on the trailer.


Center it over the axles of the trailer. or just slightly forward of them.

 

No biggie once you get comfortable with it.

One lesson learned was to support the rear of the car trailer. Reasoning is that when driving the soon-to-be-towed vehicle on to the trailer, the front of the trailer will want to porpoise and lift the rear of the towing vehicle. Placing a block / support under the rear edge of the trailer will limit the amount of travel on both the front and rear. A few logs of different diameters are good for this as it allows for variable road-to-trailer heights at the trailer's rear. Related note: (and at the risk of insulting) always make sure the trailer is solidly connected to the ball *before* driving the load on to the trailer.

And another couple of risk of insulting items:
- invest in quality tie-downs and use a safety chain in addition. IIRC, some States do not consider tie-downs as a required safety chain.

- when traveling, check the local State laws for trailers as some limit *any* type of trailer towing (including toads) to 55 mph even if the signage displays higher.

 

There are products available to flat tow a 2015 150, so might consider checking the owner's manual to verify it will work for your 150 and going that way versus loading it onto an open trailer. If the trailer is closed, can see the desire to trailer.

And by the way, Welcome to FTE!

 

I have never heard of states not allowing tie downs and only chains.
Look at all the flat bed big rigs they use tie downs unless hauling steel or concrete pipe.


Also have not heard of trailers not over 55 MPH. Some states have a truck speed limit but never heard or seen any others that had to stick to that.


Some states do have truck/trailer lanes you must stay in and some states have "park ways" you can not take trailers on, CT & NY to name 2 I know of and have signs posted.


What I have not seen posted about the trailer is trailer brakes. Most if not all states require brakes on a trailer of 3000 lb, some as low as 2500 lb and is wise to run them even if you have 2000 lb. Should also have a brake-a-way switch on the trailer so it the tow & trailer disconnect going down the road the brakes will apply.


As for flat towing over trailer, ever try and back up a flat tow rig?
Go trailer not only if you have to back up but you will have brakes too.
Dave ----


ps: I have put many miles thru out the USA on my open car trailers, 18', 24', 2 car 40' and never had any issues.

 

State Towing Laws

This looks fairly recent.



The OP's tow vehicle is a motorhome where few back with a trailer anyway. Sure, it is possible, but most un-hitch the trailer rather than try and back-up with it.

 

There's nothing in Texas Code 545.352 agreeing with the 60mph limit in your link. "Sample of One" casts doubt the veracity of the information Or at least how up to date it is. Or I just can't find the right code section. Or the Sample of One is simply wrong.

Personally I don't tow faster than 65mph consistently because I have an IQ above room temperature and understand the limitations of the C-Rated ST tires on my loaded-to-GVWR trailer. Plus all the Chevy's double-hauling 5vers with a Mule on a tag along trailer going 85mph keep the Highway patrol busy enough to leave me alone as I putter along.

 

I did not go looking up codes but some of that information is for big rig trucks from what I can see.


And some is just crazy! Brakes on first trailer but not the second?? I would think if anything you would want them on the second so it is not pushing everything but I would have them on BOTH or I don't tow!


As for tie downs. Other than a few states having "NA" they are required.
And just got to thinking all the new car haulers now use web type tie downs over chains. That is all I have ever used and not stopped once for not using chains.
BTW the gov says 2 tie downs for unit and 1 for every 10 feet there after so 30 feet would have 3 tie downs.


And backing up was that for flat towing? If pulling a trailer and you are in a gas station and you need to back up then what. You cant unhook trailer then!
I still say the trailer behind the MH is the way to go.
Dave ----

 

I tow my car all over the place and never had an issue using tow straps. If I were towing my F150 behind a motor home it would be on a trailer with through wheel straps holding it in place. I would much rather have a trailer get beat-up than my truck.

 

I always used 4 straps, one at each corner along with a chain in front around the cross member to keep it from going forward in case and one around the back axle to to keep it from rolling off the back. I have 2 chains also on my tow dolly for the very same reason. I've had a strap come loose once but never lost a vehicle when towing.

I've covered most of the US and part of Canada towing for myself and even talked to some cops about speed limits, most agree that as long as you stay below the max posted if it's posted lower for trucks and vehicles towing trailers (California and Oregon have that) they let you keep on going.

Use the trailer, strap it well, use safety chains (it's just like insurance) run a sane speed and have fun.

My $0.02.

 

I tow vehicles on my flatbed fairly often. Depending on what it is, I'll either use 2, 3 or 4- 2" 10,000lb straps. Sometimes a chain/binder if necessary.

I prefer to strap the frame or body of the vehicle rather than the wheels, or both if I can. Reason being, the vehicle on the trailer can bounce and sway on the trailer, thus causing the trailer to bounce and sway.

 

I agree with strapping down the frame. I towed my '67 F100 by strapping the front wheels down to E Tracks (they suck IMHO) and then by strapping down the rear axel. I could feel the truck body bounce from time to time and push my 2013 F150 around a little.