Towing doubles

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Jan 15, 2008 | 11:12 PM

dougwood62

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From: Texas

Towing doubles

Does anyone know what the laws are on towing doubles in CA? What is the length limit? do you have to have a class A license if it is for personal use? I just took traffic school for a ticket and the way I read part of the law was that you can tow doubles behind a travel trailer as long as the last trailer is a boat trailer. this really confused me. If you could tell me what you guys know or send me a link to the law that would be great. thanks

Jan 15, 2008 | 11:30 PM

Chance_Thomas

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From: Plano Texas

According to TowingWorld.COM, the some 30 states do allow you to pull a trailer behind your fifth wheel. There are some "fine print" details on the matter, so we urge you to check out the full list before you hitch up and go. Here's the list of states allowing "triple tows:"

Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Jan 16, 2008 | 12:17 PM

Stroker 94 1/2

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Joined: Jul 2006

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From: Haysville Ks.

Check out this site:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...g-doubles.html

Jan 16, 2008 | 12:19 PM

Stroker 94 1/2

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From: Haysville Ks.

Opps!!! check out this one:
http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

Jan 16, 2008 | 02:40 PM

4inchlovin

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Joined: Nov 2007

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I just finished studying for my CDL and as I remember you have to have a class A with a doubles endorsement here in the state of California.

Jan 16, 2008 | 04:52 PM

cgl

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From: NorCal

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4inchlovin

I just finished studying for my CDL and as I remember you have to have a class A with a doubles endorsement here in the state of California.

I believe this to be true as well. Legally, your total length is limited to 65' and the first trailer must be a 5th wheel/gooseneck. Although you do see people doing it illegally without getting caught.

Jan 16, 2008 | 05:43 PM

Stroker 94 1/2

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From: Haysville Ks.

Slow and steady and no speeding they shouldn't bother you. But thats here in kansas. Our legal limit is 65 feet, but I am 75 feet with the 5er and boat behind that. Been that way for 5 years now and haven't been pulled over yet.

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Jan 17, 2008 | 10:00 PM

Kwikkordead

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 25,090

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From: Rio Rico, AZ.

I think that some of this information is misleading.
I live in a double tow only state and see big semi trucks pulling a second trailer all the time.
Go to a "triple tow" state and you see a lot of semi trucks pulling three trailers. But the trailers are the length of shipping containers and the total vehicle length is only a little bit more than a semi truck with a full length trailer pulling a pup.

Jan 17, 2008 | 10:35 PM

#10

mudmaker

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Posts: 2,498

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From: Windsor, Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwikkordead

You got me thinking about it and I dont know where they get the info from that wont allow doubles to be towed in WA. I checked the DOT website and it said double could be towed commercially as long as you dont exceed 61'. Normally they isolate the private RVer by doing what Oregon does and require a dolly w/5th wheel for second or third trailers, but I didnt see anything like that for WA. (not saying I read everything) If you take WA a step further technically they are part of the permit network with several other states that have longer limits, so commercially you can actuall go 75' if I read it correctly.

In my opinion if you stick to the commercial laws, have a CDL and avoid wiegh stations/port of entries, you shouldnt have a problem. The latter is probably the best way to avoid issues!! LOL

Jan 17, 2008 | 10:36 PM

#11

jhand124

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Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 2,225

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From: Farmington, Minnesota

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chance_Thomas

By triple tows do you mean pull rig and two trailers, because Minnesota is only a double (two trailers) state=tracter and two pups, or your 5er and a boat or snowmoblie trailer.

Jan 18, 2008 | 10:51 AM

#12

cgl

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Joined: Apr 2000

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From: NorCal

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougwood62

thanks guys. I love testing out how much I can make my truck haul. So this all with a class C license?

Legally, you cannot tow doubles with a C. You'll need a Class A with a T (triples) endorsement. The triples endorsement also covers doubles. With that being said, I have seen pickups pulling tandem bumper pulls without being harassed. Just be aware that IF you're involved in any sort of accident, you could very well be at fault, regardless of the circumstances.

Jan 18, 2008 | 11:26 AM

#13

kuz

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Joined: Sep 2007

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When I lived in CA. a couple of years ago I was thinking of doing the say thing. What I found out after I talked with a manager at DMV. is #1. there is a length requirment,(Sorry I don't remember exactly) #2. You will have to get a class "A" Non commericial lic. Unless you have a class"A" commerical then you can pull doubles. You will have to get the health certificate also. I think there was a couple of other small requirments also but I don't remember them. Or you could do like I did and move from CA. to a state that you can pull doubles and drive back into CA.