Triple towing

[Marcel]

Do any one tow car behind 5th wheel and what are the rules. any help would be nice.

[RVDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcel Do any one tow car behind 5th wheel and what are the rules. any help would be nice.

This is called "triple towing" or "towing double." It has significant state-by-state legal and rig weight/capacity issues. Try this Google search - rv triple towing - Google Search

[doc]

Don't believe it would be triple towing. Look at a road tractor pulling two trailers - 'hauling doubles'.
In your case I would wonder about length as well as whether or not the structure of the trailer frame would be strong enough to tow a car.

[RVDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc Don't believe it would be triple towing....

Doc you are technically correct. Problem is, in RV-slang the term "triple towing" has come to be mainstream to mean the more correct term of "towing doubles". Hence, both phrases should be used to search to find a more complete result. Either phrase means the same thing, it doesn't change the length, weight, and legal issues associated with doing it. Homework is required before doing it.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The double trailer rigs you see on the road are run under special commercial license rules, are typically restricted to certain highways and are not allowed in all states in any case. So just because somebody with a CDL can legally do it does not mean that you can.

A few states allow anybody to do it byt most have a variety of restrictions, so find out what the laws are in the states where you want to do it. It may even be legal in your home state, but that does not carry forward when you cross the state line.

[Ann n Gene]

We did double tow our Jeep liberty and later our HHR behing our 43 ft. Travel Supreme 5er and a Peterbilt 387. We pulled in about 37 states and never once were we questioned or stopped. We DID have plenty of truck to pull and STOP this combination (84 ft. long) and did not ever get in to to big of a bind. However, it did require some planning as you could not back that combination. We just made up our mind to not worry about getting stopped and if we did we would unhook, apologize, and/or pay the fine and go on with the wife driving the toad. However, we never had to do this. It can be done, most likely without much if any legal hassles, BUT I really do not recommend it. There are places in the northeas that we did not go because we decided the hassle might be too great for us to enjoy. I have a CDL, and had pulled doubles before commercially so I felt comfortable with it. We have several members of the Escapees HDT forum members that routinely do this and a couple of have been stopped and one or two have been ticketed, a very small percentage of all those that do it. You just have to make up your mind if your tow vehicle is safe and rated to do this, are you comfortable pulling that kind and weight of combination, are ALL parts of your combination rated for the weight (hitch, trailer pin and mounting, truck tow rating, trailer frame, trailer hitch and tow bar). If all of that checks out and you dont mind looking over your shoulder once in a while when you meet a LEO, the chance of a ticket does not bother you etc, then go for it. It is VERY DIFFICULT to determine where this is strickly legal with an RV as state laws differ and their interpretation differs even more. If you are pulling with anything less than an HDT I would STRONGLY discourage you from even thinking about it. On my present trip I saw a one ton dually ford pulling a big 5er and a full size car behind that in Oklahoma, looked like an accident hunting a place to happen. IF YOU DO this, get equipped and trainned properly, then go for it and enjoy this wonderful country. It can be done with really very little hassle. All just my experience and opinions, yours may and likely will differ. Good Luck and enjoy. Gene

[CorsairIIAT]

Not sure of other States. Here in California the only limiting factor is from front bumper of truck to the very back of toad is 65 feet. And the trailer must have a kingpin.

[RVDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcel Do any one tow car behind 5th wheel and what are the pros & con. Also rules from state to state, and Canada

Marcel, your thread with many answers already was moved here...

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/triple-towing-60612.html

The response there from Ann n Gene is excellent and thorough.

[TXiceman]

It varies state by state for towing a trailer/object behind a trailer. There are length rules as well. Problem is while a state will recognize you license in your home state, you will have to abide by their rules while traveling in their state for speed, weight, length and towing.

Aside from that, how will you address the issue of braking the extra load behind the trailer? Also, can the trailer frame take the extra stresses from the weight of a towed car? What will happen if you have a flat on the towed car?

I have seen it done and it looks scary. When we were towing a 36.5' 5er, we were a bit over 53' in length with just the truck and trailer. Add 3' for a tow bar, a foot for a hitch and say 13' of car and you are up to a bit over 70' total length.

Ken

[Ray,IN]

http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm
seems to have the best towing laws compilation on the internet. "Triple towing" is listed on this document, although it is an incorrect term. If one is towing one trailer it is not doubles towing because that implies just driving your truck is singles towing. Morphing triples to mean doubles is very confusing.

[450Donn]

I guess as long as you are towing only in a state that allows double towing you are OK. Here in Oregon it is not legal for a private RV to tow doubles. If you were to look at a map of those states that do not allow it you will find that it is quite a parch work and would be a real pain to stop and unhook and then have to drive the car though states.