Small fifth wheel and second trailer.

[Kewl]

I have a small fifth wheel, dry weight is 3800 and gvwr is 5600. Is it possible to tow a small trailer behind that. I'm really worried more about taking what little pin weight I do have off of the truck. I have a 3/4T so pulling it wouldn't be an issue.

[BFlinn181]

Some states allow it, others don't. Big issue is being sure there is enough structure in the frame behind the axle of the 5th wheel to handle a hitch.

State Laws Can Pull You in Many Directions if You Double Tow - PickupTrucks.com News

State Towing Laws for RVs

[jesilvas]

You say it's a 3/4 ton, but is it a diesel, and what rear diff? I can be an issue.

[Kewl]

I have a gas, ford's 460. It's a good motor that has all the power that I need, but I am geared pretty high. I do have to slow down for hills, mostly because I have a manual transmission behind the motor and have to get to the right gear to get into the power band of the motor.

[Kro1957]

Many states allow double pull and I doubt you are any where near the max length set.
Most importantly is to check the frame to see how it is built to handle it. Some manufacturers have such well built frames they put in a class ll or class lll receiver for them.
Others, may have lighter frames and also would void any issues for warranties along the way if you put a hitch on. Not sure about your RV or the trailer you plan to pull how much weight are you planning to pull behind it.....
That is one thing I check for in a build.... The frame and what it can take...

[JIMNLIN]

A competent metal fab/weld shop can make the determination if a trailers frame can be modded for a custom fabed hitch for towing doubles.

I've had three 5th wheel trailers and always have a shop fab and weld a hitch to the trailers main frame rails and cross members.

Most folks are surprised at how little a 400 lb hitch weight on the back of a 5th wheel/GN trailer can change the pin weight. Its not a teeter totter.

My current 5er towed a 3500 lb bass boat with 280 lb hitch weight. No change on the 5ers pin weight which runs in the 2200-2400 lb range depending on how we load the 5er.

[frankdamp]

Two towed vehicles behind anything other than a highway-type commercial truck are illegal in Washington. I believe WSP will give you a ticket even if your rigs are registered in another state and will insist you disconnect the second one before you can move on.

Other states may be similar.

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by frankdamp

I believe WSP will give you a ticket even if your rigs are registered in another state and will insist you disconnect the second one before you can move on.

Correct. Reciprocity does NOT extend to towing laws insofar as towing double is concerned. One must be legal in any state through which one travels.

Rusty

[RWeigant]

A trailer behind your 5th wheel won't change the pin weight. In fact it will lower it very little. Most of the weight of your trailer is on the ground, not the 5er.

[DaveTN]

Originally Posted by Kewl

I have a small fifth wheel, dry weight is 3800 and gvwr is 5600. Is it possible to tow a small trailer behind that. I'm really worried more about taking what little pin weight I do have off of the truck. I have a 3/4T so pulling it wouldn't be an issue.

Do you mind telling us the model? Besides scamp I don't know of any 5th wheels that light but would love to know of them.

[jesilvas]

Originally Posted by RWeigant

A trailer behind your 5th wheel won't change the pin weight. In fact it will lower it very little. Most of the weight of your trailer is on the ground, not the 5er.

Please explain.

[Kewl]

Wanderer lite by Thor 225ms is the trailer. The frame on the back has 4 inch c channel 71" outside to outside. It is 22 feet total length.

[Kewl]

Originally Posted by RWeigant

A trailer behind your 5th wheel won't change the pin weight. In fact it will lower it very little. Most of the weight of your trailer is on the ground, not the 5er.

I don't see my trailer even drop the suspension on my truck. I'm not sure if there is even 1000 pounds on the king pin. If I have a trailer with a tongue weight of 350 pounds wouldn't that pull down the back of the trailer also pulling weight off the truck. I don't want a big trailer, that would defeat the purpose of buying a small 5er.

Is there a rule of thumb as far as what the second trailer weigh in comparison to the first. That's my real question, what are the mathematics with this.

[JIMNLIN]

There is no smoking gun simple math to figure how much 300 lbs of the 2nd trailers hitch will change the hitch weight on the 1st trailer.

As I said above a multi axle trailer isn't a teeter totter where 100 lb kid on one end and a 100 lb kid on the other end balances out.

I would hook up the trailer and head to the scales along with a couple of folks that weigh 300 lbs or one big guy . Have them stand in the rear of the trailer or on the bumper and see how much your particular rigs hitch weight changes.