travel trailer and boat?

[87lundtyee]

I have an 03 f150 with the 5.4 v8. We recently bought a 24' travel trailer. I also have a 16' 87 lund tyee. So now i have two trailers going camping with us and i need to know how i can get them their. either i double it up on my truck or put a hitch on my 01 town and country with the bigger of the two v6's and pull the boat with it. Trailer weight is about 3500lbs and boat weight is about 1500. I have gotten mixed reviews from the neighbors. please help

 

[jtexas]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

welcome to iboats!<br /><br />1500 lb boat is nothing for a minivan - pulled mine with a pontiac and a toyota for a few months when I was between trucks.<br /><br />The T&C owners manual probably says its capable of up to some specified weight without any mods, right? Don't know whether those chrysler trannies deserve that bad reputation or not, but I'd do it. No hills in Nebraska anyway...right? <br /><br />We have to take two vehicles camping too, the wife don't like me towing with her minivan and won't let the dog ride in it either.<br /><br />Have fun & post some pics for us.

 

[87lundtyee]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

hey thanks for the advice. i didnt know how hard the boat would be on the tranny of the MV and your right hardly any hills here any way.

 

[TTU_Guy]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

You need to check state regulations for tandem towing (two trailers). The max length varies state to state as well as some require first trailer to be a 5th wheel and some require the truck to be at LEAST a 3/4 ton. Some states even require a CDL while some do not allow it at all. I would not suggest this with a half ton, just not enough braking power.

 

[87lundtyee]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

even with the trailer brakes on the camper?

 

[TTU_Guy]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

Yeah, I wouldn't think so. The camper brakes assist the truck in stopping the rig, they do not stop the camper. Your boat would also HAVE to have brakes.<br /><br />I am personally considering investing in a similar rig, but I am looking at a 3/4 or 1 ton with a 5th wheel. My main concern is that it would be relatively easy to set up a rig that will pull fine when everything goes right. But what about when you have a blow out on the camper? I don't want that to fling the boat to God knows where and cause an accident and then get sued for negligence. <br /><br />Just my 2 cents. Good luck, I hope you can figure out something to work. I feel your pain, I hate to be at the lake without my toys!

 

[tommays]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

Haveing pulled a 24' coachman trailer with a E-350 van with the full swaybar setup like this<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />There were WAY to many times when it was windy to even thing about haveing anything getting wiped around the back of the trailer <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[SuperGlue]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

I agree with jtexas. That should be no problem for the minivan. I have a 1978 17' fiberglass trihull that I pull with a 3.8 Grand Caravan with no problem. Just don't like to launch the boat with the van so we switch at the campground. The only problem you may have is a little sag in the rear of the van. <br /><br />CG

 

[87lundtyee]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

i put the boat on the van and it drove fine. if it wasnt for the chains dragging i dont think i would have hardly noticed it was back there. I will need to get a larger than 2" drop reciever. I think i can get a 5" and try that so she can clear the speed bumbs at the camp sites. thanks for your insite everyone

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: travel trailer and boat?

I'd adjust the chains, too. They're too long if they drag with your final setup.