Community Forums

yankeetom · 05-11-2015, 11:29 AM

Hello everyone just newbie questions coming out. Dw and i are on the quest of buying a 3500 drw and then purchasing a 40 ft. 5er with a gvrw of 16,500#. We are planning on full timing and will be using truck for daily driver, i was told by a mechanic that with the diesel trucks that it is not good for them to just be driven a few miles then shut off on a daily basis. Like from home to store and back. So i was wondering about a towable vehicle behind the trailer how feasible is this, is it necessary or practical. I realize it is more cost and more difficult for towing but just have these questions running through my head. Is a 3500 truck large enough to do this with this size trailer. My wife is disabled and getting inand out of truck daily is difficult so thought a smaller vehicle would be easier comments please thx

RichR · 05-11-2015, 11:34 AM

I have had diesel trucks since 1989- used for towing and local trips to the store.I have never had a problem doing so!

J Birder · 05-11-2015, 11:38 AM

Loads of people (including me) use a diesel truck as a daily driver, without experiencing any issues.

Towing a vehicle behind a 16,500# 5th wheel could very likely have issues with the towing capacity of your truck.

Joel

Gordon Dewald · 05-11-2015, 11:39 AM

Depending upon the size of the 5er should be no problem. As long as you do not go over your GCVW and the toad has brakes you should be fine.

Note: Some states do not allow towing doubles so check if any of them are on your list. We have a 5er toyhauler and it would be big enough to carry a smart car or fiat 500.

I use my diesel regularly to go to the golf course. While short drives are not good for a diesel I take mine out for a "run" when in a series of short runs to completely warm it up.

rskeans · 05-11-2015, 05:16 PM

Many states have a 65' length limitation, CA is one of them. Also in CA one must have a Class A license to tow double.

MnTom · 05-11-2015, 06:54 PM

If you really want to tow a vehicle behind you you are going to greatly limit the places you can go. The only state I know of that allows that is Texas. Many states allow you to tow a trailer behind your fiver but there are restrictions for that. As an example the second trailer must be a water craft here in Minnesota.

Knightab · 05-11-2015, 07:03 PM

I had a 2007 dodge, the first year they added all the crap and particulate filter. If I drove it in town for short distances for 5 days it would plug up the filter, their solution was to drive the vehicle at 55 mph for 30-40 minutes to burn the crap out of filter. As long as you are getting some regular highway speeds and 20-30 minutes drive you should be ok.
We sold out 5th wheel 2 years ago so I was using the truck for my daily driver in town. Got tired of having to take out on highway every 4 or 5 days finally sold it last year as it was starting to cause shooting problems with the turbo.

Ps: the pulling a car behind the 5th wheel is a bad idea. I have a friend who lost his toad behind 5th wheel. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Perhaps a motorhome would be a better option for you and your wife considering her limitations.

JIMNLIN · 05-11-2015, 08:07 PM

I know a couple who lost their toad from behind their motor home...which proves nothing.
At last count someone came up with 32 states that allow some type of double towing.

Lots of snow birds with 5th wheels tow a toad of some type. The best one I saw was a one ton DRW Dmax refueling at the local truck stop on I-44. He was pulling a 35'-38' 5th wheel trailer and a tricked out 2500 chevy Dmax/Z71/over size off road tires. Most double tow with a small car.

Thousands do it but only you will know if it fits in the budget or you are up to the logistics of towing doubles with a toad as the second vehicle which IMO is easier than two trailers.

Mr_D · 05-11-2015, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rskeans

Many states have a 65' length limitation, CA is one of them. Also in CA one must have a Class A license to tow double.

Not allowed at all in OR and WA even with a CDL. I've seen the OR patrol stop with a rig stopped and unhooking the last vehicle so it could be driven away.

gazingm42 · 05-11-2015, 08:26 PM

As other folks have stated that some states allow this, with restrictions. Some don't allow it at all. I have seen it here in UT but have seen some bad bad issues with drivers and others nearby cars. I would heed high caution to it myself.

jfran304 · 05-11-2015, 09:04 PM

Since your wife is handicapped and has trouble getting in and out of high vehicles I think you would be better off buying a Class A motor home and a small car to tow. With a Class A she wouldn't have to get out and go back to the trailer to use the facilities or the other comforts of a motor home. If needed you can have a lift installed for her to get in and out of the motor home.

Jon

Knightab · 05-12-2015, 04:16 AM

Ok, let's clarify something. Before you decide to double tow you need to verify that the maker of the rv says the frame is strong enough to do so. There is a reason you don't normally see a trailer hitch on the back of fifth wheels.

What you do is your business as long as it is safe. You are Looking at a lot of stuff to remember with connecting 2 vehicles for towing. I had a 40' fleet wood, you need to tow one before you decide to add a car to the back. Small towns and right turns would be REALLY tough!

jenandjon · 05-12-2015, 05:45 AM

That mechanic is a moron. I daily drive my diesel as well and thousands upon thousands of others.

Knightab · 05-12-2015, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenandjon

That mechanic is a moron. I daily drive my diesel as well and thousands upon thousands of others.

But if yours does not have the DPF then it doesn't apply. I know I experienced it. If you can get some 55 mph driving in on a regular basis it's fine but if you drive it all short 2-3 miles drives you. Are asking for trouble. It will load the DPF and out the truck in limp mode of you don't correct it. Let the DPF fill to 100% and you are in for a huge expense of replacing the DPF. Dodge was the first to start it in 2007 so your Chevy probably didn't come with it till at least 2008-9.