The Train...
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Freshman User
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The Train...
I have a question regarding pulling two trailers. I have not done this yet, but I am hoping this will work for a 800 mile roundtrip to Moab.
I have a 2006 F-250 CC short box 4x4.
Here is the plan. I will be pulling a bronco on a car trailer. The two together weigh roughly 8,000 pounds. Behind that will be a jeep being flat towed hooked to the trailer with a tow bar. The jeep weighs in at just under 4,000 pounds. The car trailer is a bumper pull.
I can borrow a gooseneck trailer, but it is not quite long enough to fit two vehicles on. The above option is the only one I have been able to come up with. The car trailer is a very heavy and well built trailer rated to carry a lot heavier weight than my Bronco. I will be right at the limit of the 12,000 pound hitch, but I am more worried about the "tail wagging the dog". I was hoping to get some input from the experts.
Thanks
I have a 2006 F-250 CC short box 4x4.
Here is the plan. I will be pulling a bronco on a car trailer. The two together weigh roughly 8,000 pounds. Behind that will be a jeep being flat towed hooked to the trailer with a tow bar. The jeep weighs in at just under 4,000 pounds. The car trailer is a bumper pull.
I can borrow a gooseneck trailer, but it is not quite long enough to fit two vehicles on. The above option is the only one I have been able to come up with. The car trailer is a very heavy and well built trailer rated to carry a lot heavier weight than my Bronco. I will be right at the limit of the 12,000 pound hitch, but I am more worried about the "tail wagging the dog". I was hoping to get some input from the experts.
Thanks
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2001
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So, you are saying that a bumper pull followed by a flat tow is illegal? I never thought it would be. I know it can't be illegal to pull behind a gooseneck or 5th wheel because you see it all the time. I thought my only concern would be how well it would track behind me driving down the freeway. I will stop at the DMV or Sherriffs office and see what I can find out today.
Any one else have any comments?
Any one else have any comments?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
In essence, they are both bumper pull, and the reason for it typically not being legal is the capacity of the bumper hitches is not nearly as high as a goose or fifth. The biggest problem I see with it is getting the jeep to turn corners. My experience with flat towing is that the tow bar sometimes won't get the towed vehicle to turn very well, and it trys to push the tow vehicle, in ths case, a trailer, instead of turning. I would doubt it is anywhere close to legal, and likely would get noticed. Also, goose and fifth trailer trail better, while bumper pulls will tend to wiggle more. You would do better to add a hitch to the goose and then trailer or dolly the jeep...
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I really had a hard time getting any information on this. I live in Idaho. I started out at the Sherriffs office and ended up talking to the Port of Entry for Idaho and Utah. I explained exactly what I was doing and here is what I was told.
Idaho: Total length has to be at or under 75'. The trailer has to have brakes and legal lights on all. Tow vehicle registered high enough for total weight.
Utah: same as above but total length has to be at or under 65'.
I also do not have to stop at Port of Entries.
This is a legal way to pull in both states. Now I have to find out if it is a safe way to pull. I am going to hook them up Sunday and go for a 20 mile drive with 1/2 of that being freeway. I leave for the trip next Wednesday. I will post my results.
I have flat towed a jeep many times and have never had issues with it pushing the vehicle. Maybe because it is lighter?
Idaho: Total length has to be at or under 75'. The trailer has to have brakes and legal lights on all. Tow vehicle registered high enough for total weight.
Utah: same as above but total length has to be at or under 65'.
I also do not have to stop at Port of Entries.
This is a legal way to pull in both states. Now I have to find out if it is a safe way to pull. I am going to hook them up Sunday and go for a 20 mile drive with 1/2 of that being freeway. I leave for the trip next Wednesday. I will post my results.
I have flat towed a jeep many times and have never had issues with it pushing the vehicle. Maybe because it is lighter?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Alignment is key on flat towing, but the lighter weight may help . It only pushes on turns. It also varies from state to state as to what is allowed, that wouldn't pass around here, it is actually specified the first trailer has to be goose or fifth, no rear hitches for doubles. You did the right thing to find out though, they're the ones that would hand out the tickets... You're looking at some trouble getting stopped, so I wouldn't get in a big hurry running down the road, and the fishtailing is a potential issue as well, and even if your test goes ok, the wind and road conditions can cause some problems, I have had troubles with crosswinds even running a single trailer sometimes, if the wind is strong enough.
New User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Central California Coast
I'm curious and have always wondered...driving foward is one thing but what if you have to back it up? How do you back up a 3 rig?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by slowolf
I'm curious and have always wondered...driving foward is one thing but what if you have to back it up? How do you back up a 3 rig?
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Lead Driver
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From: Kuna ID
I live in Idaho and have seen several people pulling campers(not 5th wheels) with boats behind them. It is a pain trying to get info around here. I tried to find some info on pulling doubles as welll, but just gave up after finding the same stuff you did.
Post Fiend
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From: Elkhart IN
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9gnMiJJIS.../RoadTrain.jpg edit:cant get pic to link, so just clicky or paste
Last edited by chrono4; Oct 6, 2006 at 10:40 PM.
Fleet Owner
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
I'm going after it - purely out of SPITE!
I'll ROB them if I have to...
OH YEAH! There it is...
(mess with me, see how it comes out...)
If you don't live on the edge, you are just waiting around to die.
Check out the 'Roo bars on it's front...
I'll ROB them if I have to...
OH YEAH! There it is...
(mess with me, see how it comes out...)
If you don't live on the edge, you are just waiting around to die.
Check out the 'Roo bars on it's front...
Last edited by Greywolf; Oct 6, 2006 at 11:03 PM.