Double Towing Question

cariboocreek · 09-28-2014, 10:58 AM

Currently have a Premier 351 RSTS towed behind a 2013 Ram 3500 with the Cummins and the new Aisin transmission. I would like to haul my Harley with me and would like to tow a 12 or 14 foot covered trailer behind the fifth wheel. I am legal in Alberta but legal and smart are not always the same. Any one have any experience or comments regarding this.

Thanks in advance.

MadDad · 09-28-2014, 11:04 AM

Various states have weight/length laws. Check out the site below.
http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html

nbhybrid · 09-28-2014, 11:04 AM

It is done all the time. There is no extra driving effort required going in drive other than knowing how long you are. Backing up will likely do you in so make sure you don't get yourself into a pickle.

Of course make sure the rear of the 5'er is qualified to carry the weight.

jal0710 · 09-28-2014, 11:13 AM

We have towed boats behind our FWs since we bought our first one in 1993. Just make sure the hitch is stout enough to handle the weight of the trailer and associated load. Don't get a bolt-on hitch, go to a professional welder and have them fabricate one for your FW, that way you won't get any surprises. Here in Wyoming we can be up to 85' long as long as all the vehicles have brakes, both the FW and the towed trailer. So far we haven't gotten into any places that we can't get out of by just pulling forward. When we get to our destination, we unhook the boat close to the marina and then go find a camping spot to drop the FW. Has worked well for us for 21 years.

UPCamper · 09-28-2014, 06:20 PM

It is perfectly safe if done properly. I do it every trip. I pull a 18' boat behind my 34' fifth wheel. 72' total length. We just got home today actually from a 1500 mile 12 day trip. Generally speaking its no big deal but a few considerations would be:

1) Either have a camera on the back of your trailer or make sure you have good tires on rear trailer and everything is secure. You WILL NOT be able to see it at all. With my diesel truck, if I blew a tire on my single axle boat trailer, I don't think I would know right away and it would do some serious damage in the meantime.I also continually scan my tires to make sure everything is riding ok. Gentle swerving on occasion allows me to see the bases of my boat tires.

2) Plan for fuel early unless you are very familiar with fuel stops. You need lots and lots of room and cannot back back up.

3) Keep it slow. I do not ever go above 65mph towing double because my rear trailer starts to sway like crazy. 60 is about perfect. Airflow from semis will really get it all swaying if you are too close.

4) Give yourself plenty of room when passing. Remember you can't see the back trailer. I actually use the shadows it makes on the side of the road to judge.

5) Dont double tow too large or heavy of a unit. It really is a pain in the butt to hook up if you can't move it a little bit by hand. Remember, inevitably there will be a lineup on the CG drive waiting for you to hook up and pull out.

I think that's about it. If I think of anything else I'll post it. It's no big deal just remember to take it slow, ALWAYS leave an out, and safety is even more important.

Seann45 · 09-29-2014, 06:49 AM

Worst thing about this is when you get to some places, like BC, you have to drop the second trailer go to your destination and then come back for the other one..

Bobx2 · 09-30-2014, 11:36 AM

It is intimidating the first trip or two when pulling double, but I honestly can't tell I have a second trailer behind me. I pull a 26.5' 5th wheel with a 14' open deck ATV trailer and two ATV's. About an extra 3,000 lbs. It tracks perfectly in the FW tracks when turning, so any corner I can make with the FW, I can make with both trailers. Backing up doesn't happen, so you have to pay attention to where you are going. I have had my wife follow me on an assortment of roadways and at different speeds, and the second trailer doesn't wiggle or sway at all. Like I said, it's like it's not even there. I would never pull without a quality, welded on hitch. None of the bolted onto the rear of the FW frame type hitch for me. Get a hitch professionally done and have no worries.
Also, be sure it is legal to pull double where ever you are headed.

Ustabslim · 09-30-2014, 12:04 PM

We do it all he time and I'm welding a receiver on my new one. I also put a PVC pipe cross ways with the ends painted orange so I cam see them when towing. I know by the angle if I'm getting a flat etc. and in watching the PVC I've never noticed any wiggle as long as the trailer is loaded correctly.

Camper_bob · 09-30-2014, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

We do it all he time and I'm welding a receiver on my new one. I also put a PVC pipe cross ways with the ends painted orange so I cam see them when towing. I know by the angle if I'm getting a flat etc. and in watching the PVC I've never noticed any wiggle as long as the trailer is loaded correctly.

Have you measured how long your rig will be? I believe in TX the limit is 65 ft. That ain't much when you're tandem towing, esp with a TT (as opposed to 5er).

Ustabslim · 09-30-2014, 12:32 PM

LEO's aren't to concerned with RVers. I've never had a problem. With the new trailer I load my golf cart, RZR etc in th bed but I plan on tripple towing a 14 ft aluminum boat.
I tripple towed with my fiver and crossed the ferry many times with no problems.
I'm guessing if you got stopped it would be just a warning.

Camper_bob · 09-30-2014, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

LEO's aren't to concerned with RVers. I've never had a problem. With the new trailer I load my golf cart, RZR etc in th bed but I plan on tripple towing a 14 ft aluminum boat.
I tripple towed with my fiver and crossed the ferry many times with no problems.
I'm guessing if you got stopped it would be just a warning.

That's good to know! With your current rig, with that boat on the back of the TT, you'd be about 77-78 ft long (mas or menos), even the more permissive states limit at 75 ft. I could see LE turning a blind eye to a couple feet, but 12 is quite an overage, it's surprising they would ignore that.

But I believe you're right, I too find that LEOs tend to ignore RVers, whether they should or not. Some folks need to be pulled over and written a warning because they don't know just how dangerous their rig is.

BTW, I've been over that ferry a handful of times with my rig, DW's fingernails leave a mark in the arm rest every time! LOL! I told her my next truck might have a long bed, she says "no, that's too long!"

Ustabslim · 09-30-2014, 01:13 PM

Camper...with truck...62.5..plus 14 ft boat plus 1 ft for motor plus 4 ft for trailer tongue....81.5 feet....

But I've seen lots longer.

Camper_bob · 09-30-2014, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff

Camper...with truck...62.5..plus 14 ft boat plus 1 ft for motor plus 4 ft for trailer tongue....81.5 feet....

But I've seen lots longer.

LOL!! That's a heckuva train!! I only allotted 3 ft for the boat trailer and totally didn't consider the motor!

I'd like to see a pic when you get it all put together. I've been considering the idea of towing a small utility trailer behind my TT (years from now when I have my big truck). I'm a bit concerned because I've read that it's not a good idea to tandem tow behind a TT (as opposed to a 5er).

jal0710 · 10-01-2014, 07:54 AM

I measured, finally, my train of 2012 GMC CC short-bed, Jayco Eagle HT 26.5 and Crestliner Super Hawk 1900 the other day just to see how really long it is. I figured it would be around 75 feet, but in reality, it is right at 71 feet. I realize that's pretty long, but it certainly is manageable now and has been over the years since 1993 when we started double towing.

As far as towing behind a TT, I had a friend a few years ago who tried this one time and got about five miles on the interstate until he had to pull off at an exit to unhook his boat which was swerving back and forth so much he was afraid it would cause a wreck. He didn't have sway bars on either the TT or the boat and I have often wondered if that would have made a difference. What a pain that would have been to unhook the boat so he could park the TT, then unhook it and then go back to the boat to launch it. We have, since 1993, always towed double with a FW so I don't know what would happen with a TT.

351rlts · 10-01-2014, 08:33 AM

I pull a 8' Aluma trailer with my HD Limited inside behind my 351 RLTS. I am well under 2000 lb. and have 250 lb. of tongue weight. I did this with another camper with no problems. My only concern with this unit is the amount of frame behind the axles. 250 lb. is not much until you start bouncing down a bad road and watch the back of the camper. Many people are doing this but with a much shorter units. I am looking at adding some support to the frame for piece of mind. I think they have a cargo rack for the back that is rated at 300 lb. If you add in the weight of the hitch (which I over built) and trailer tongue I have convinced myself I need to add some bracing.

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