Anybody pulling two trailers?

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BrianG

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 19, 2002
Messages
41
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Don't have much time to read all the responses,so I might not be the first person talking about this. <br /><br />I have seen setups that the boat trailer gets winched on the back of the truck and over the cab so that its up above, and then they tow the camper behind the truck. I've seen a few of these.
 
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martyscher

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 18, 2002
Messages
207
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

sandy<br /><br />Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about looking into a rig like this. <br /><br />A truck camper may still be in play, but I'm concerned with the amount of work with dumping it in the campground (I'll have to launch and pull the boat every night). Plus, even the larger ones are a pretty tight inside.<br /><br />I did look at an 00' F-250 SD SB 4x4 with a V10. Seemed to have enough power. I waited too long to buy and it was gone. I have heard good stuff about the diesels, but am suffering some sticker shock with those babies.<br /><br />Newbie question, will a short bed truck function properly with the smaller sized 5th wheels?<br /><br />Thanks
 
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6MISFITZ

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 16, 2001
Messages
290
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Short beds will work just fine with fith wheel set ups. The hitch dealers will have the options to choose from but what you do loose with the short bed trucks is FUEL RANGE. <br />The 8 foot boxes have BIGGER tanks which means less stops. <br />That in itself could mean making over the next hill to next stop when smaller tanks will have you swearing every inch especially if you don't make it! (Those of you who have towed through big hills or mountains know what I mean about the gas gauge moving down almost as fast as the tach moves up)<br /><br />You can also buy extra pick up box tanks but that is an area I have no experience in yet.
 
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sandy

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2001
Messages
46
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Marty<br />The diesel's going to cost about 3-4 grand more, but the advantages might be worth it. Examples: Milage on diesel (with 4x4), about 17.5 mpg. Milage on the V10, about 12 mpg. Pulling something compared to my rig, it will drop about 4 gpm on both. A friend of mine has a V10 similar to what your talking about and he's not to fond of it. The diesel will still be their when the truck falls apart around it, not that you would still have it by then. The V10 will be wore out after 150k. By the way a 4x4 is a necessity when pulling this rig and launching boats.<br />Reference short bed trucks, I'd think twice about that one. You won't the trailer weight about 2" in front of the axle. Unless your future 5th wheel has an extremely long tongue, I'd stick to a long bed. Theirs people out there that know alot more about camper/truck hook-ups than I do. I only know from personal experience and long bed is the only way to go. Any other questions, get back to me, always willing to help any way I can.
 
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sandy

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 1, 2001
Messages
46
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Martyscher, Just curious about your decision on pulling two trailers, motorhome, or truck camper. I've had all three and theirs only one way to go, as I explained earlier. Need any help, let me know.
 
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bradyt

Seaman
Joined
Aug 24, 2001
Messages
61
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

I just started pulling my camper and boat in tandem,i have seen it all over Indiana,and was spending alot on gas,pulling both on a weekend with Two vehicles.I pull a Jayco popup,And my 14' boat behind.Camper And boat are 32'1",I pull with an extended cab GMC Step side short bed but i'm not sure of it's length.To tell you the truth I was amazed at the ease to pull both,they actually stay in unison on a tight curve,I was truely surprised.Pull into camp unhitch the boat, back the camper in,and then the boat.The one thing is,in my towing,it makes it alot more comfortable being able to see the boat behind the camper.I welded a frame that bolted to my main frame of my camper right over the axle and past the rear bumper.I am curious though when it comes to pulling a 32' 5th wheel and an 18 foot boat,which I have seen in Indiana,that is alot of not knowing whats going on behind,to say the least.Anyway, there is never doing 62 in a 55mph speed zone,and I have'nt had any trouble yet! :D <br /><br />MTH54-Pink at night sailors delight,Pink in the morning sailors take warning! :)
 
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martyscher

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 18, 2002
Messages
207
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

As we sat in the campground this weekend with our Pathfinder, tent and aluminum boat (not that I'm complaining, mind you), I could not help but notice there were convoys of 3/4 ton trucks towing 5th wheels, several with some very large boats attached.<br /><br />I,m definetely ready (eapecially when cooking in strong winds), but am looking for the many $$$$ to complete this rig.<br /><br />Stay tuned.
 
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JRJ

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2001
Messages
2,992
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Hi martyscher, you said eariler its only 60 miles to your favorite lake. That shouldn't be too much of a problem. Good luck getting your gear together. If you go diesel, get a stick shift and add an exaust brake. Mine works really well.
 
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bayman

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 2, 2000
Messages
669
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

A few months ago I was driving along the freeway and saw a scary sight not too far ahead.<br /><br />Smoke was billowing out of a semi trailer like crazy!<br /><br />When I saw it on the news that night it turned out to be a semi that was towing 2 trailers. The last trailer was whipping about too much and flipped over. Both trailers were carrying kerosene. Luckily on the last trailer caught on fire as it drug along the pavement sending sparks everywhere.<br /><br />It ended up burning for a few hours before they could get the fire totally out. There was also a hole a few feet deep in the freeway. They shut the whole freeway down and repave.<br /><br />Even in the hands of skilled drivers, 2 trailers (especially with kerosene) can be dangerous.<br /><br />- bayman
 
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JRJ

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2001
Messages
2,992
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

I know what you mean bayman, I drive through Nevada and Utah to get to Colorado in the fall. The speed limit is 75 a lot of the way. I've been passed by trucks with three trailers. One icy morning on I80 there were wrecked trucks and trailers from Winnemucca to Reno.
 
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martyscher

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 18, 2002
Messages
207
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

RJR<br /><br />Why a manual tranny? I heard Ford and others make a decent auto. I'm just wondering how long they hold up on endless hills.<br /><br />I don't mind a stick, but the "armstrong" Ford trannys are no easier to shift than they were 30 years ago. I'm spoiled with my Nissan 5 speed stick.<br /><br />Also, is it hard to add an engine brake to a diesel pickup? How much?<br /><br />thanks
 
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JRJ

Commander
Joined
Sep 11, 2001
Messages
2,992
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

I tow up and down some very steep hills. The kind that one or two people fade their brakes on and wreck their new RV's and boats on every year. I bought a diesel for the fuel milage and a stick because I didn't think an auto would hold up. I added an exaust (not engine) brake because I didn't like the lack of compression braking of my Cummins. The exaust brake is a BD brand. There are others. It mounts right after the turbo, and is very effective at slowing the pickup with either my boat or travel trailer. Cost about $700. Last fall, with the lack of snow in your fine state, we were able to drive to over 11,000 feet GPS. The other PU was a Ford diesel auto, dragging a trailer with two 4-wheelers, lots of gear and he had no problem. Buy what you like and what suits your needs. :)
 
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bearman

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2002
Messages
11
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Hey guys<br />I tow my 5'er and my boat in tandum. I have a 2002 Crew Cab 1 Ton dually with the Duramax engine / allison 5 spd auto. My 5th wheel is a 1995 Avion Westport 30.5 ft with a large slide and my boat is a 2000 Taho 18 ft with a Merc 4.3L LX. It handels great for me, this year I have pulled over 1000 miles with this combo. Last year I had a 2001 Chev D/max 3/4 ton, it pulled just as well, but I wanted more stability and braking ability of the 1 ton. MGCVW of this unit loaded and full is 22487 lbs (487 lbs overweight)Total length is 68 ft 2 in (3 ft 2 " over length)I have pulled a lot in Canada and in the US and have never been stoped. I also have a CDL with extended lenth endorsement. I belive there should be a special licensing requirement for wheeling a rig like this. When things are pulling well it is very simple to drive, when things go wrong, they go wrong very quickly. Good luck and drive safetly.<br />Cheers<br />Bear :cool: :cool:
 
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blifsey

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
769
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

Bearman, just curious, how do you back up that rig? Or can you? Couple of us wondered this in another thread.<br /><br />BL...
 
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bearman

Cadet
Joined
Aug 1, 2002
Messages
11
Re: Anybody pulling two trailers?

BLifsey<br />I go out of my way not to back it up, but if I do I do it slowly with very small wheel movements, and in a straight line only, no backing around corners. :D :D <br />Cheers<br />Bear
 
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