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01-13-2012, 07:05 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
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Double Tow / Double Cross
I was just passed by a Fed ex truck pulling two trailers on I-75 in Fla. I am told however that I cannot pull a toad with a M/c trailer behind my Winnebago. I have asked and received 25 different answers about pulling a 2nd vehicle. The state by state towing website is ambiguous at best.
What I want to do is to pull a small pickup with a swivel wheel trailer attached to the pickup behind the 32' M/H. NO the total length is not an issue in this case and I can't load the bike into the truck.
I often see people doing this and they too give differing answers as to the legality of this practice------HELP!!!!!!!
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01-13-2012, 07:39 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 145
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I can't comment on florida laws but generally a truck pulling a 5th wheel is considered one unit due to its stability. If this is true then an additional trailer can be towed behind the 5th wheel. Once you hook on a hitch mounted trailer to your Moho you are at your max.
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01-13-2012, 07:55 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,968
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In Wisconsin it's legal to tow double only if the first hitch is a 5th wheel. There are several restrictions however. First of all you need an endorsment on your drivers license confirming you've taken the test and passed. Secondly the combination is only allowed on interstate type roads. The combination has to be broken up within a certain distance (I believe 2 miles) after leaving the interstates. Third you have to stop at weigh stations like a commercial vehicle. Fourth and probably the most difficult is the combination can't exceed 65 ft.
In most states rules are different for professional drivers with a CDL driving commercial trucks than for non professionals driving non commercial and recreational vehicles.
__________________
Hikerdogs
2013 Adventurer 32H
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01-13-2012, 07:57 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Okanagan valley British Columbia
Posts: 707
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Commercial vehicles routinely haul two trailers, 3 on some highways, but there are minimum weight limits. In British Columbia it is prohibited for vehicles under 11,000 kg gcvw, 24,000 lb for you non metric guys.
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01-13-2012, 08:55 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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Laws vary from state to state and from tow vehicle to tow vehicle. Most states allow double tow by Semi tractors who's drivers have double tow endorsement on their CDLs SOME states allow double tow by RVers as well. Some only allow selected double tows (IE: Towing a boat behind a 5er).
DO NOT TRUST a web page which gives a "State by State" chart, I've not looked at double tow but I have at Are Aux brakes needed" sites and there were numerous errors on those pages.. I know of states where the web page says no but he law says yes.
The only web page I trust is.. Well the one from which I download the state vehicle code.
By the way: From my research Michigan does allow at least some Double tows by RVers, (I am not sure if yours woudl be allowed without more checking) and does require aux brakes. That's the vehicle code I have on assorted hard drives around here.
It has been known to come in handy. (But that is a long story and has nothing to do with RVing).
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Home is where I park it!
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01-13-2012, 10:38 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Home on the hill in Georgia
Posts: 2,742
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I know in Georgia, Semi double towing is allowed on marked roads only
__________________
Jerry Potter, Taz
1999 Coachman Catalina Sport
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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01-13-2012, 06:39 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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I think the big difference may well be the following two things.
Semi trucks are designed from the concept up to double/tripple tow, they have all wheel braking with precision controls on the "towed" brakes to help prevent disasters.
RV's and Pick ups are not so well designed and when you start stacking trailes you can easily overload the brake controller and not have trailer brakes.. A dangerous situtation.
Semi Drivers who pull double/triple trailers usually have to have a "Multiple tow" endorsement on their license, This means they have taken special tests and/or had special training. Many states let any old automobile driver pilot an RV. (IE ME, though I do admit to training above my license class)
One thought.. the O/P mentioned he wished to pull a small swivle wheel trailer.. Im not sure this qualifies as a real trailer so mcuh as a "Vehicle extension" but I won't argue sematics.
If the load he plans on carrying is small enough (500 pounds or less, More in some cases) you can get a cargo tray, Mounts on the 2" receiver, and just hangs there, NO WHEELS, thus it's a vehicle extension NOT a trailer. I carry my wife's mobility scooter on such a tray. (got my 500 pound capacity one at Harbor Freigt, Scooter is 250 pounds shipping. yes, I pick it up to set it on the tray but there are other ways if you need to use them (wood ramp).
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Home is where I park it!
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01-18-2012, 09:40 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 145
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When I owned a 5er I would call to the specific state highway patrol and ask them. Then I was reasonably certain where I was heading. Most were 65' but the odd state would be longer. I can't remember which state it was but the fellow I spoke to said 85'. Good grief I wouldn't want to be coming around the corner with that guy coming at me.
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01-19-2012, 11:04 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Anacortes, WA (Stick & Brick)
Posts: 2,643
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Aren't the swivel-wheel trailers usually on a rigid mount (bolted or clamped) to the towing vehicle? I would think that they'd be considered an integral part of the truck, rather then a second toad.
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Frank Damp -Anacortes, WA,(DW- Eileen)
ex-pat Brits (1968) and ex-RVers.
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