Community Forums

Vacationfools · 09-14-2018, 10:35 PM

Is it safe to tow a car behind a 44’ 5th wheel RV with the proper tow bar setup?

Clomok · 09-14-2018, 11:12 PM

I’m just going to be blunt on this one, NO, it is not safe in the least. There is no way to adequately control the braking and sway that would be induced into the 5th wheel from passing/overtaking trucks.

mtofell · 09-14-2018, 11:27 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxJUToUM8ro

Arch Hoagland · 09-15-2018, 12:58 AM

I don't think that's safe.

Skip426 · 09-15-2018, 01:14 AM

Very few states and provinces allow towing anything behind a 5er.

And , I'm with the not safe crowd , towing a car four down puts a lot of different forces on the hitch and bars than a boat or ATV trailer.
Not to mention weight , what kind of GCVW does the tow vehicle have

or are you towing with a Kenworth.

RoadrunnerII · 09-15-2018, 06:37 AM

Is it safe to tow a car behind a 5th wheel? Watch one of those transport truck trains on a rough road on a windy day! Ask the professional driver how hard that is to control! Ugh not in a million years would I consider it!
Retired farmer and we drive some odd stuff!

RoadrunnerII

mrgrayaz · 09-15-2018, 08:39 AM

Double towing is allowed in some states and I see it all the time. What makes towing a car different then a boat or trailer?

This may surprise many people but modern trucks are payload limited, not tow capacity limited. I could easily tow a 4k+ trailer or car behind my 5th wheel and be within all manufacturer specs...

mobilemike · 09-15-2018, 09:28 AM

Even in the states that allow doubles there is an overall length limit. Usually a 44ft 5th wheel and truck at close to or at the limit.

Searching_Ut · 09-15-2018, 09:49 AM

My take is similar, but different than most in the reasoning. No don’t do it, but not necessarily for safety reasons. Last I looked, the majority of states allowed double towing, especially behind a fifth wheel. I’ve towed doubles for 20 plus years with the last trailer being either a boat or utility trailer with ATVs. You can set them up to be very controllable and with good braking, but you have to work at it. The problem you’re looking at in your situation is length and weight. You would end up considerably over the common 65 foot total length, and almost certainly exceed the Weight ratings of the truck. The other issue would be the fifth wheel itself. I didn’t put a hitch on the back of my current fifth wheel for the simple fact that I didn’t think the trailer frame was strong enough. Not only do you have to look at the back end, you have to consider the front pin box area. With the exception of a couple toy haulers we looked that you might be okay with if you didn’t load anything in the trailer, I haven’t personally seen anything I would think could handle the load in late model rigs. Some of the older stuff has some overbuilt frames that might work though.

egwilly · 09-15-2018, 03:43 PM

In California, it would be illegal. Length restriction would be exceeded.

Additionally, how would you hook up the brakes on the toad??

Vacationfools · 09-15-2018, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egwilly

In California, it would be illegal. Length restriction would be exceeded.

Additionally, how would you hook up the brakes on the toad??

Not planning on doing it with all the negative comments now but braking could be set up just like they are with Motorhome’s with toads.

Jshopes81 · 09-15-2018, 06:00 PM

I would want to know from the manufacturer if the rear hitch on the 5th wheel was anywhere near strong enough. If yes then go for it but educate yourself about the legal issues like length too.

mjdenn · 09-15-2018, 07:22 PM

You would be over length. On the braking you would need a second brake controller and would need to find a way to balance the two. Finally can you think of a trailer manufacture with a sufficient tow rating?
If you need to tow a car you need a motor home.