Anybody pulling two trailers?

[martyscher]

Although not common, I have seen vehicles towing a travel trailer (usually a 5th wheel), with a boat trailer behind it.<br /><br />Certainly there is a whole new set of rules for this (legal, physics, towing vehicle capacity, etc.), but has anyone done (or is doing) this and can share experences, good and bad?<br /><br />Any comments are welcome.

 

[JB]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Yes, Martyscher. <br /><br />I have seen them, too. Looks about as difficult as riding a unicycle or walking a tightrope. <br /><br />Scares the tar out of me to think about doing anything but straight ahead, but I have seen travel trailers parked in RV spots with boat trailers parked right beside them. They had to have gotten there on one tow vehicle.<br /><br />Poses an interesting option, doesn't it?

 

[Alrobot]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

I have seen two or three of the combo's. You are right there are a whole different set of restrictions associated with it. The main one is that the driver ends up needing to be Class 1 Doubles certified. Of the combo's I have seen like this on the road, there was a sign on one of the trailers stating the driver is Doubles Certified.<br /><br />Al...

 

[rycher]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Besides being tough to handle, it's also illegal in some states. South Dakota comes to mind for some reason, although I don't know for sure. As always, check the local regulations first before setting off on a trip.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

A friend of mine did the double thing, didn't like it and went to a motorhome. He ownes his own truck/trailer and drives for a living. Unless you're a "pro", 1 trailer can be enough or 1 two many. Driving skill,or lack thereof,as you are probably aware,is a major factor in successful or tragic trailering.

 

[JB]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Good post, JRJ. Powerful and persuasive.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Interesting topic and not one I ever want to try, even if I could afford a truck big enough to handle two trailers.<br /><br />I checked with a Fleetwood dealer and K-Z dealer about the capacity of the rear bumpers of their respective trailers and both dealers told me right out. <br /><br />The rear bumpers on their trailers are not designed or engineered for towing a second trailer. Towing any kind of trailer would change the balance on the front hitch making it dangerous. Might change the affectivness of the brakes, etc.. That mounting a hitch on the rear bumper for any reason VOIDS the manufacturers warranty PERIOD.<br /><br />I asked about a hitch that would hold bicycles. One dealer said put the bikes inside the trailer and the other grumbled maybe. <br /><br />So if you see any of the doubles on the highway, I guess they are the older models with no warranty left!<br /><br />Why not buy a motorhome and tow one of those DOUBLE DECK trailers from Built Rite Trailers of Nebraska. www.builtrite.net<br /><br />Load the boat on the deck - then pull the trailer out of the water. Raise the top deck and then drive your car, truck or van onto the bottom deck and away you go. <br />I didn't beleive it until I saw it on their web site. <br /><br />Mike.

 

[JRJ]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Thanks JB. I read you in other places and enjoy your comments. Wish you the best with all you have going on.<br /><br />Good link Mike. My friend now has a closed trailer, with double decker toy parking etc. Trailer hitches on trailers are frame mounted, bolted, receiver types. Never use a bumper mount ball for a serious trailer.

 

[sandy]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

I do exactly what your talking about. I've been towing a 5th wheel (24') with my 18' bass boat behind it for 11 years. My train is 63' long and once you get used to, it's the only way to go. I stay at lakes with great camping facilities and it's much more affordable this way. I keep everything in good working order, pay attention and have never had a problem. The one thing you can't do is back up. When I arrive I disconnect my boat, set up camp, disconnect my truck, launch my boat and enjoy the fishing and friends. Several others I know are doing this now and wishing they did this years ago. Use a little logic and anyone can do it.

 

[marty_scher]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

sandy<br /><br />What kind of hitch do you use to connect the boat to the 5th wheel?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[sandy]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

I have a receiver hitch welded to a cross bar which is welded to the frame of the trailer on each side. It was tack welded to the bumper, not for strength, but for eliminating vibration. I wired the boat trailer lights into the camper lights via a standard trailer plug. On the camper I converted the 5th wheel hitch to a gooseneck hook up, which enables me to pull other trailers like stock trailers, etc.. This eliminates that large mess of metal in the bed of truck and provides better storage for other things. The hole thing is really simple once you look at it. Any other questions, let me know.

 

[oldjoat]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

I welded a piece of 4" square tubing to the frame on my 5th wheel. Them welded a hitch to it. In Michigan you only need an R indorsment on your drivers license. This is easy to get just answer a few easy questions. Your rig has to be under 65' and yes you have to plan ahead so you don't have to back up. It is sort of like pushing a logging chain. As far as pulling it goes it is easy to do. You have to be carefull some states don't allow doubles. I have pulled my rig in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.<br />oldjoat

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Sandy, You are the first who actually does this who responded and I have to ask ......<br /><br />What is the weight of your bass boat?<br /><br />Does the boat trailer have electric or surge brakes?<br /><br />How do you to take the weight of the boat/trailer into account with the carrying capacity of the 5th wheel. Do you just reduce the cargo capacity of the 5th wheel by the ammount of the boat/trailer tongue weight only? OR do you have to subtract the TOTAL weight of boat/trailer from the 5th wheel cargo capacity?

 

[sandy]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Mike, not to omitt Martyscher from the original question, I'll answer yours and perhaps help him in the process. I pull a Champion bass boat, 18', with a Johnson 150 hp on a single axle trailer. The weights I'm not sure about. The trailer is <br />800 lbs., according to title. The max weight for the boat is 1335, includes people, motor, and gear. I'm guessing about 1200 lbs.. Total est. around 2100 lbs. The 5th wheel weighs (loaded), about 5500 lbs. with a GVW of 7500 lbs. I carry what I won't in both 5th wheel and boat and never had any kind of problem. I do inspect everything carefully, keep tires properly inflated, and installed shocks on the camper, which certainly helped. The 5th wheel has good electric brakes on all 4 wheels and the boat has no brakes, which has never been a problem. The suject of moving weight around, as you suggest is not a factor with me. I pull this rig on about 30 trips a year and some are 1000 mile round trips each. I'm an avid bass fisherman, wheather it's social or for bucks. At first I was hesitant about pulling this train, but now I'm extremely comfortable with it and have been so for many years. Lots of little tricks I've leaned over the years in doing this, so if I can be of any help with someone wanting to try this, I'll try my best.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Thanks Sandy for your reply. <br />My questions were directly related to Marty's original post to give every one an idea of how to set the weights up for safer towing. Actual regulations regarding this situation probably change state to state and I don't have those specifics to fall back on for my post.<br /><br />The size/weight of your 5th wheel and the weight of your boat and trailer seem to be a great set up and a perfect "good example" for my question.<br />By leaving 2000lbs clear of the gross maximum for your 5th wheel, you have taken into account the extra weight of the boat and its trailer.<br /><br />A bad unsafe example would have been, a 5th wheel with a gvwr of 7500# loaded to the gunnels of say 7499# and then adding a 3500lb boat on top of that. And then wondering why from sheer ignorance why the entire shooting match would have been pulled off the road by the HighWay Patrol?<br /><br />Yes, you still have to take into account the G.C.W.R. (Gross COMBINED Weight Range) allowed for the tow vehicle to handle and stop the load too. <br /><br />I have no experience with 2 trailers at one time and I must tell you that I am gunshy. <br />That said though, you arrive at your destination with your own accomadation and boat and you still have a vehicle to go out in, without ripping up your camp site every time.<br /><br />It is alot harder when you only have a motorhome and you have to go out for supplies, groceries, gas, pull the boat out for any problem or storms. Then you have to drag the motorhome out of its spot and maneuver through the camp ground or the grocery parking lot or a city with such a big rig. Then resetting the camp site when you squeeze back in with the m.home each time. You get the picture.<br /><br />I think you have the best of both worlds. More power to you and anchors away.<br />Safe towing and great fishing.<br /><br />Regards,<br />Mike.

 

[hutch]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Hows this for a scary sighting on the highway .... A ford ltd station wagon towing a pop-up camper 16 ft. WITH a 17 or 18 ft. bass boat hooked up on the back of the camper !!! On the top of the camper was a canoe strapped on the top . He was heading towards the wis. dells .

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

A perfect example of the "TAIL about to WAG the DOG"

 

[marty_scher]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

sandy<br /><br />Do you take this rig through cities/towns? What about sharp uturns?<br /><br />How are the right turns?<br /><br />I'm still thinking about it. It's about 60 miles, mostly rural 2 lane road to my favorite lake.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Marty, I have also seen "Back Up" cameras that mount to the trailer roof. They turn on to help you see what's behind you when you back up. <br /><br />I would assume that the 5th wheel rv trailer would be more than high enough to mount this camera so that you could veiw the action of your bass boat and still safely see behind that as well. You would then mount the viewer on your dash.<br /><br />In any case, I would strongly suggest you get the biggest alternator available for your truck to run all those trailer lights and truck headlights too!<br /><br />Mike.

 

[sandy]

Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Marty,<br />I go anywhere my truck will go,towns,interstates, back roads, you name it. Making turns, you have to pay attention. A boat trailer will almost follow in the same tracks as you already know. A 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer will cut corners. You pull out a little farther and it's ok. The boats in the same tracks as the 5th wheel. Best thing is get in a big parking lot and practice, pay attention in how they follow you. Don't let this frighten you, it's like riding a bike once you get use to it. The enjoyment and convenience is well worth it. This is my second 5th wheel. The first was 28', very tall and cumbersome. The one I have now is 23' 6", lower in height and much easier to maneuver. If you got one, use it, if your shopping, get something not so big. I made that mistake once. I noticed you were talking about truck size on the post. I pull this rig with a Ford F250 super duty, single axle, 7.3 diesel and have absolutely no problems at all. The large F350's and dullies are nice but your not pulling a backhoe. I'm no guru about trailers or a truck driver, but I've been pulling large stock trailers most of my life and I know what these trucks can do. If I can be of any help, let me know.