towing double trailer
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From: Fort Lauderdale
towing double trailer
A thought occured to me the other day as I was contemplating life. I have more stuff and people than I can take on trips than I can fit into my trusty ford and 5th wheel. What about me doing some type of fabrication on the back of my 35 foot fifth wheel, and buying a 28 - 30 foot tow behind weekend warrior. This way I can take the rest of the family, only have to worry about one vehicle, take our golf carts for when we find a really nice gold coarse.
Has anyone had any experiance with this type of setup? If you have please let me know how it went.
Has anyone had any experiance with this type of setup? If you have please let me know how it went.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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i have seen it done not sure i think they just got a class 3 reciever hitch and mounted it to the camper and i have just seen a boat hooked to it and all i know is you have to be under a certian length i think it is 50 something up here in ND but not sure elsewhere.
T
T
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From: Fort Lauderdale
After looking up in the department of motor vehicle website, I think that I can do it. But I may have to get a slightly shorter pull behind. But being able to throw my parents and inlaws in the fifth wheel as we go everywhere will be really nice so I don't have to listen to them. Let them duke it out on the road as we go 70mph 
Posting Guru
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From: Back in the TX Coast
Wow a 35 footer plus another 30 feet, that's more trailer than the big boys haul. Well below is a pic of JJ's double tow but it is not near as long as what you are describing. I know he hauls that from Texas to Cali and even Wa. state. Just my .02 cents.
Manny
Manny
Last edited by Autobahn F-250 Lariat; Mar 6, 2004 at 12:22 PM.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Somewhere west of Arizona
Start by checking your state laws and the surrounding states if you plan on towing to those states also. Most states that do allow double towing limit overall length to 65 feet. CA allows both 65 feet and 75 feet limits. In CA, the first trailer must be a 5th wheel in all combinations. 65 foot overall limit if the first trailer is over 28'-6". 75 foot limit if both trailers are at 28'-6" or under. My combination is SD CC LB, 28' 5th wheel and a 22 1/2' boat. The boat is actually about 26' from hitch to prop. My overall length is right at 75 feet with this combination. CA also requires a commercial drivers license to tow doubles. Take a look at my gallery for pics.
I've seen JJ's setup in his gallery. Looks nice!!! Technically, he's illegal in CA. CA law states that first trailer must be a "semi" trailer (5th wheel). Some states do allow 2 hitch-type trailers in combination.
Again mudder03, start checking the FL laws and go from there. Keep in mind the overall weight also. My towed setup scales at 13,500 pounds plus my unloaded truck is 6K. Puts me over 20K loaded. You could get away with more than I can as FL is pretty flat compared to the 6% grades I have to pull here.
I've seen JJ's setup in his gallery. Looks nice!!! Technically, he's illegal in CA. CA law states that first trailer must be a "semi" trailer (5th wheel). Some states do allow 2 hitch-type trailers in combination.
Again mudder03, start checking the FL laws and go from there. Keep in mind the overall weight also. My towed setup scales at 13,500 pounds plus my unloaded truck is 6K. Puts me over 20K loaded. You could get away with more than I can as FL is pretty flat compared to the 6% grades I have to pull here.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Kiln, MS.
I use to pull a 20' Sundowner GN 4horse trailer & 16' flat trailer with a wagon here in S. MS. and never thought twice about it. That was with my 96 F250 PSD 2wd. Now I've got a slide in and 2 horse bumper pull. It was a PAIN to hook up and back up. GOOD LUCK!
RIS
2001 F250 CC 4X4 5.4L
RIS
2001 F250 CC 4X4 5.4L
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From: Colville
It is illegal for passangers to ride in any trailer set up I do believe. I was in the same situation but here in Washington state they don't allow doubles.
So I bought a 24ft Camper/toy hauler. Built in Cali by National RVs.
We have used it for 3 summers and haul 3-4 dirt bikes around the state. Absolutly love it.
In the 3 years I have used it for every thing from hunting, to dirt bike riding to moving my grandmothers belongings 250 miles in the dead of winter.
I have probably spent at least 100 nights in the camper over the 3 years. We like it so much after all of this time we still look for any reason to use it.
I have hauled a 14ft. aluminum fishing boat several times. I think you could fit 2 golf carts. problably.
just a thought.
Ed
So I bought a 24ft Camper/toy hauler. Built in Cali by National RVs.
We have used it for 3 summers and haul 3-4 dirt bikes around the state. Absolutly love it.
In the 3 years I have used it for every thing from hunting, to dirt bike riding to moving my grandmothers belongings 250 miles in the dead of winter.
I have probably spent at least 100 nights in the camper over the 3 years. We like it so much after all of this time we still look for any reason to use it.
I have hauled a 14ft. aluminum fishing boat several times. I think you could fit 2 golf carts. problably.
just a thought.
Ed
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From: Denton,TX
Originally posted by 68 351 bronc
It is illegal for passangers to ride in any trailer set up I do believe.
It is illegal for passangers to ride in any trailer set up I do believe.
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From: Del Rio, Texas USA
I just got home this eve from pulling that combo! I love to see my pics in posts! as for the orginal post.. a 35ft'er and a 25-30 ft'er???? i kow that would not be legal in any state... And what motor do you have? that be way over FORDs Gross.....I pull this setup all over TX.. When i go to Cali,OR, and WA i usually just stand the two quads up in the bed and pull the little travel trailer.. i dont know whether i could legally tow two through those states that dont allow it, with TX plates and license?(where its legal).... Anyway my two cents is that the second trailer wants to sway bad.. no matter how you load it.. ive have two swaybars..( a setup to control like a 10K lb trailer).. just between the two.. controling that little 12ft cargo trailer with two quads and a generator.. the sway bars are on MAX.. It dont sway and i can do 75mph no prob... but without them, or with them set on soft.. it wants to sway.. It gives me chills to think of two huge trailers connected....This two trailer thing is not the best idea.. im only doing it cause i had both these trailers and it was easy... when i get some money ill buy a toy Hauler and leave the doubles in my past!
JJ
JJ
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Somewhere west of Arizona
JJ: The sway situation could be because both trailers have conventional type hitches. The distance from your trucks' rear axle to the first hitch sets up movement in one direction which makes the rear of the first trailer pivot in the opposite direction which makes the rear trailer hitch...... you get where I'm going with this. The movement magnifies itself from truck to trailer to trailer. This is why 5th wheel trailers are so much more stable; the pin is directly over the truck axle and any movement isn't magnified to the trailer.
CA specifically prohibits double towing if the first trailer has a conventional hitch, it must be a semi (5th wheel) hitch.
With my setup (see gallery) I have no sway problem and no sway control setup on the rear trailer. The tandem axles help too.
Regarding plates: In any state you drive and/or tow in, you must comply with the laws in that state. My 75-foot rig is legal in CA, AZ, & NV. I take a risk when I pull in other states.
Nevada actually allows triples to be towed; I've only seen this commercially though. CA has considered commercial triple towing from Las Vegas to Barstow.
CA specifically prohibits double towing if the first trailer has a conventional hitch, it must be a semi (5th wheel) hitch.
With my setup (see gallery) I have no sway problem and no sway control setup on the rear trailer. The tandem axles help too.
Regarding plates: In any state you drive and/or tow in, you must comply with the laws in that state. My 75-foot rig is legal in CA, AZ, & NV. I take a risk when I pull in other states.
Nevada actually allows triples to be towed; I've only seen this commercially though. CA has considered commercial triple towing from Las Vegas to Barstow.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
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Here is a web site that gives max trailer lengths and some other information about towing in general.
http://www.searay.com/PDF/Towing_Gui...004_Chap08.pdf
http://www.searay.com/index.asp?disp...tab=3&cid=1729
It dooooes not say if you are allowed to tow double.
http://www.searay.com/PDF/Towing_Gui...004_Chap08.pdf
http://www.searay.com/index.asp?disp...tab=3&cid=1729
It dooooes not say if you are allowed to tow double.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Motor City
Heres a website on laws for trailer towing, I also have a hitch on my 32' fifth wheel and have a boat that I tow behind my fifth wheel. The hitch that can be mounted on most fifth wheels will be rated for approx. 3000lbs, and are welded to the frame of the fifth wheel. The laws here are 65' and under. You can see the max lenght on that website for each state.
http://www.rvsafety.com/state.htm
http://www.rvsafety.com/state.htm
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From: Somewhere west of Arizona
Thanks for the link Bashlin.
Most of these towing sites offer good information but I've found that sometimes they're not up-to-date or offer inaccurate information. Use them only as a guideline.
Example: Most info lists CA as maximum 65 feet. This is true for most doubles setups but there is an exception; if both trailers are 28'-6" or less, than the max length is 75'. When I first started towing doubles 12 or 13 years ago, the Trailer Life directory stated that doubles towing was not permitted in Utah. Wanting to tow doubles to Lake Powell, I contacted the state government offices in Utah and received written confirmation that my 65' setup (at that time) doubles rig was in fact legal in Utah.
Most, if not all states post their laws on the net.
Most of these towing sites offer good information but I've found that sometimes they're not up-to-date or offer inaccurate information. Use them only as a guideline.
Example: Most info lists CA as maximum 65 feet. This is true for most doubles setups but there is an exception; if both trailers are 28'-6" or less, than the max length is 75'. When I first started towing doubles 12 or 13 years ago, the Trailer Life directory stated that doubles towing was not permitted in Utah. Wanting to tow doubles to Lake Powell, I contacted the state government offices in Utah and received written confirmation that my 65' setup (at that time) doubles rig was in fact legal in Utah.
Most, if not all states post their laws on the net.
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From: Fort Lauderdale
Everyone has so much information here its totally exciting! I am using a 5th wheel first, so I think I can do it. As far asi people riding in the back, I have heard that its legal as long has people can communicate to the tow vehicle. As far as people in it, its only the inlaws, who cares.
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