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Old 08-14-2024, 07:09 PM   #1
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25' 5th wheel? and 65' law?

I live in Texas and most of our trips will be here and the occasional trip to Alabama to see family. We both enjoy fishing so there is the catch, 65' law. My boat/trailer is 24' tip to tail, about 3000lbs total. Truck is a Ram 2500 CC short bed, so 16' center of 5th wheel to front bumper. Is there such a thing as 25' 5ver with slides and 2-6k to7k axles and 16" tires that a hitch can be mounted on?
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Old 08-14-2024, 07:29 PM   #2
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Do you realize that Alabama doesn’t allow double (triple) towing?
https://www.cars.com/articles/state-...le-tow-454787/
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Old 08-14-2024, 07:50 PM   #3
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I wouldn't worry too much about being 5 or less feet too long, so a 30' FW would likely go unnoticed. However, double towing where not allowed will stand out like a beacon.
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Old 08-14-2024, 08:05 PM   #4
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The cited article is 6 years old and has, what I believe to be, misinformation. It says " Licensing requirements may require a special commercial driver’s license (California)"... Uh, no, if I am legal with my license in my state then other states have to honor that license, (it is called reciprocity) otherwise we would all need a license from every state we drive in.


The best answer is for the OP to call the Alabama DMV or State Police and get an answer from them.
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Old 08-14-2024, 08:19 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brunnie View Post
The cited article is 6 years old and has, what I believe to be, misinformation. It says " Licensing requirements may require a special commercial driver’s license (California)"... Uh, no, if I am legal with my license in my state then other states have to honor that license, (it is called reciprocity) otherwise we would all need a license from every state we drive in.


The best answer is for the OP to call the Alabama DMV or State Police and get an answer from them.
Only applies to 'license' ----as in your license allows you to tow NOT what you can tow as in 'double towing', 'tow length' etc
Each state CAN and does have various/different towing laws

Towing laws include maximum weights, braking system requirements, tail lights, safety chains, reflectors, brake lights, and more. No matter where your vehicle is registered, you must obey the towing laws in the state you are traveling to or through.
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Old 08-14-2024, 09:15 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by oldenavy View Post
Do you realize that Alabama doesn’t allow double (triple) towing?
https://www.cars.com/articles/state-...le-tow-454787/
I did not. I looked it up and you are correct. So I will not be towing doubles there.
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Old 08-14-2024, 10:29 PM   #7
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You also need to add up all 3 vehicles GVWR and if over 26001 lbs being in Texas you will need the class A non-CDL license which is no big deal but I wouldn't take the driving test doing the dbl tow
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Old 08-15-2024, 05:42 PM   #8
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Now that we have the discussion about license, weights and pulling doubles hopefully out of the way. is there a short 5th out there? I've searched RV trader and search engine's without much luck. I have a class A CDL, endorsements for doubles/triples, hazmat etc. I fully understand Stopping and making sure I can. I have experience pulling 28' doubles Texas and turnpike doubles northern states. I'm not saying this to be smart. Just looking for a short 5ver and was hoping the brain trust here could help
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Old 08-16-2024, 06:02 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bootstrap View Post
Now that we have the discussion about license, weights and pulling doubles hopefully out of the way. is there a short 5th out there? I've searched RV trader and search engine's without much luck. I have a class A CDL, endorsements for doubles/triples, hazmat etc. I fully understand Stopping and making sure I can. I have experience pulling 28' doubles Texas and turnpike doubles northern states. I'm not saying this to be smart. Just looking for a short 5ver and was hoping the brain trust here could help
Well stated, this another one of those subjects that gets in the weeds quickly. I believe you may have a hard time finding something in that 25 foot fiver range. A new comer in the RV industry is Alliance, the Avenue 22 ML measures ‘27 ‘4. Doing some rough math with the numbers from your first post, you should be right at ‘65, that should keep the over length police happy.
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Old 08-16-2024, 06:41 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by bootstrap View Post
Now that we have the discussion about license, weights and pulling doubles hopefully out of the way. is there a short 5th out there? I've searched RV trader and search engine's without much luck. I have a class A CDL, endorsements for doubles/triples, hazmat etc. I fully understand Stopping and making sure I can. I have experience pulling 28' doubles Texas and turnpike doubles northern states. I'm not saying this to be smart. Just looking for a short 5ver and was hoping the brain trust here could help
I think it is going to be hard to find a 25-foot 5th wheel, unless you go older. I was looking at a couple of manufacturers and the shortest was around 29-foot.
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Old 08-16-2024, 06:59 AM   #11
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^Above post, is why I mentioned trying to stay close to the 65' length law.

There are many FWs, that are in the 30' length, but may put OPs setup over by a few feet. I just don't see any LEO out there, running around with a huge tape measure, trying to figure out if the rig is a couple feet too long.

Many 30' FWs also come OEM ready to tow double, with a factory receiver hitch, and 4-wire connector.

Yes, there may some old shorter models, but OP was talking about slides, and bigger tires/wheels. The older FWs were not designed to be towed by todays later model trucks, which are taller.
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Old 08-16-2024, 09:01 AM   #12
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Probably easier to find a shorter boat than a 25 ft 5er.
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Old 08-16-2024, 01:18 PM   #13
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https://www.allencampermfg.com/up-to-27-5th-wheel
check out some of the smaller units from Allen Campers website.
Bought our first new truck camper from them in 1972. They've been around for years.

Your gonna' have to lots of leg work with RV trailer mfg websites to see what out here that will fit your needs. Good luck.
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Old 08-17-2024, 07:57 PM   #14
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What year is your Ram 2500? Lots of them have a max tow of 20,000 total truck and trailer(s). My 06 Mega 2500 Cummins is only rated for 20k.
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