Who tows two trailers?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Fallon, NV
We used to pull our 19' boat or 84 CJ7 (on a towbar not trailer) behind our travel trailer, the sway control and load equalizer bars on the first trailer helped tremendously. I don't know about your state, but in CA you are required to have a 'locking hitch mechanisim', not specifically a 5th or gooseneck hitch. Used to carry a copy of the CVC with us but never needed it.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: PHOENIX
Originally Posted by grafekie
Why don't you check legality first, THEN go ahead and purchase the equipment? Would you rather install it all then find out the hard way?
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by grafekie
Why don't you check legality first, THEN go ahead and purchase the equipment? Would you rather install it all then find out the hard way?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 246
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From: Southern Idaho
Originally Posted by dixokai
Here is what I'm thinking, legal or not. If what ever you are towing does not have enough tongue weight (even single trailer) it will cause you to whip on braking or deceleration. If the second trailer has to much tongue weight it will counter the first trailers tongue weight causing this problem. If each trailer is loaded just right as to have the correct amount of tongue weight on each of them the out of control whipping should be under control. Understanding that all turns and corrections are magnified on the second trailer, using a little common sense and taking it slower say 55 mph max. (if I'm lucky) It should work ok.
I think using a load equalizer on the second trailer may help to adjust both trailers tongue weights and help with sway control on the second trailer.
I think using a load equalizer on the second trailer may help to adjust both trailers tongue weights and help with sway control on the second trailer.
Also I think that as long as your under 73ft bumper to bumper your legal in Idaho.
I thought he hardest part of the whole installation was not melting the insulation under the trailer while welding the hitch on the back of the TT. But nothing a little Idaho Engineering couldn't handle. I bought some beer and borrowed a hood and another set of leathers for a friend to hold up a wet towel to prevent it from melting.
Hope this helps.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Southeast Idaho
I have all winter now to get all this done so I should be OK.......Ya right I'll probably wait until a week before it's time to go before I get working on it. Thanks for the info guys it's all been helpful.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,708
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From: North Dakota
The advise given so far has been pretty good. I tow a 28ft TT and an older 17ft Boat in tandem on a regular basis. it's perfectly legal in ND up to 75ft (I'm at 73ft). The whole key is the balence of tongue weights, the levelness of the whole rig, braking power wether it be on the trailers or pickup, and of course the weight ratio of the second trailer vs the first trailer. My camper weighs over 8k loaded so my 2k lb boat isn't even noticed behind the trailer. now I'm a little concerned as I will be upgrading to a 19ft glass boat this summer which will weigh close to half what the camper does, it'll be a little trial and error but it ultimatly comes down to the weight scale!
Pictures of my rig can be found in my gallery (both the new camper and the old one)
Pictures of my rig can be found in my gallery (both the new camper and the old one)
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Southeast Idaho
Thats sweet.... Looks like I should be able to get it done with my little set up. My weight ratios between the two trailers is going to be a little closer though. If that screws me up maybe I'll get some street tires for my Jap Jeep and flat tow it.
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Brett Foote
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
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Before I bought a Toy Hauler, I used to tow a ATV trailer behind my TT.
I did not want to cut into my TT wiring to hook up the ATV trailer wiring , so I ran a cord under the TT that plugs into the 4- wire connector on the truck and plugs into the ATV trailer on the rear of the TT.
Hook the the TT plug to the 7 wire plug and the ATV trailer cord to the 4 wire plug and away you go....
The only thing I did not like about pulling doubles was that I could not see the ATV trailer in my mirrors, so I had to stop a little more often to put my mind at ease that all was well on the rear trailer.
I did not want to cut into my TT wiring to hook up the ATV trailer wiring , so I ran a cord under the TT that plugs into the 4- wire connector on the truck and plugs into the ATV trailer on the rear of the TT.
Hook the the TT plug to the 7 wire plug and the ATV trailer cord to the 4 wire plug and away you go....
The only thing I did not like about pulling doubles was that I could not see the ATV trailer in my mirrors, so I had to stop a little more often to put my mind at ease that all was well on the rear trailer.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,708
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From: North Dakota
Originally Posted by four4x4fords
.....I did not want to cut into my TT wiring to hook up the ATV trailer wiring , so I ran a cord under the TT that plugs into the 4- wire connector on the truck and plugs into the ATV trailer on the rear of the TT.
Hook the the TT plug to the 7 wire plug and the ATV trailer cord to the 4 wire plug and away you go....
Hook the the TT plug to the 7 wire plug and the ATV trailer cord to the 4 wire plug and away you go....
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
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We pull a ATV trailer with 2 bikes and a quad behind a 10k 5er. In the past it has been with a goose neck adaptor on a Chev 2500. Tha ATV trailer is 8.5 ft wide so I can see it around the 5er. This setup works good as long as the tounge weight on the second trailer is kept light. It will whip a little bit on rough highway but you can't feel it in the pickup. Panic stops are no problem.(That got a good test last summer)
Next year it will all go behind a SD with a fifth wheel hitch and I'm hoping for even better results.
A good friend pulls a 3 rail bike trailer behind a 24 ft TT. Said he can't tell the second trailer is back there. Bike trailer only weighs about 1200-1500 lb.
Next year it will all go behind a SD with a fifth wheel hitch and I'm hoping for even better results.
A good friend pulls a 3 rail bike trailer behind a 24 ft TT. Said he can't tell the second trailer is back there. Bike trailer only weighs about 1200-1500 lb.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2005
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I pull 21 ft. TT and 14 ft. fishing boat behind 04 F250 4x4. Here in Colorado it is perfectly legal. Have reciever hitch on TT and wired to 4 prong on boat trailer. I go all over the place you just need to stop once in awhile to check boat as you can't see it unless you turn a corner. Backing up Not allowed. Never had a problem, as I check and double check everything all the time. Tows great, never feel bad about it.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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I have an 05 F350 SRW LWB 4X4 diesel. I pull a 26' tandem axle 5er and a 14' ball hitch flat deck (loaded with 3 to 4 ATV's). The 5er has tandem axle brakes and the flat deck is tandem axle with only one braking axle. When I set up the 5er brakes the way I like it is too high for the flatdeck brakes (smoke show). I currently have a REESE brakeman. Any suggestions on different set ups? I really like the idea of having brake power to both trailers. Thanks!
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
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From: Mifflin, PA
Originally Posted by duMAURIER
I have an 05 F350 SRW LWB 4X4 diesel. I pull a 26' tandem axle 5er and a 14' ball hitch flat deck (loaded with 3 to 4 ATV's). The 5er has tandem axle brakes and the flat deck is tandem axle with only one braking axle. When I set up the 5er brakes the way I like it is too high for the flatdeck brakes (smoke show). I currently have a REESE brakeman. Any suggestions on different set ups? I really like the idea of having brake power to both trailers. Thanks!
