Double Trailer Towing

C

Captains Cat

New member
Took a quick look at subject towing on the 'net with an idea of towing a CD behind a 5th wheel and my truck. About 50% of the states allow double trailers, my state, VA. does not. How in the heck would one get from point A to point B without crossing through the states that don't allow it? Anyone have any experience with this?

I'd not even consider trying to back up. :smilep :smileo :sad
 
I would guess, knowing nothing about the matter really, that your insurer would go ballistic over this sort of thing. I also wonder whether its wise to put yourself in the position of not being able to back up. I think its safe to say that just because some state allows something does not make that something a very good idea. Kind of forces one to chose ones toys. :(
 
Worked great for me Ken,

Back in the FL days, 17 ft. Whaler behind the 5-th wheel.
Shux, man, if I wanted to back up I'd had 'em put reverse in the truck. I can't even back up the 5th wheel unless Ma Duster has a walky talky -- and then it's usually, "You just hit somethiin', Hon."

Dusty
 
If doubles are legal in the state your in, you can hook up and haul anywhere. I watched a guy go through the launch procedure on the Snake, drop boat at ramp, go park trailer in campground, return and launch boat. Seemed like kind of a pain in bum but if a person was going to be staying a while, it would be a nice way to go.
 
One other item to consider is the total length of rig once everything is hooked up. Most states have limits to the length it can be. With a 22' Cruiser behind a 5th wheel, I'm guessing you'll be pushing these limits if not going over them. Just depends on length of 5th wheel and truck.
 
FreighterGazer, you're right. I do think however that if the state allows doubles, those double tractor trailers that we see will be lots longer than I would be....

I don't have a 5th wheel currently, just a 28' Coachmen camping traile and I wouldn't even consider doubling up with that. I'm looking at retirement in a couple of years and trading up to a 5th wheel. I'd love to be able to take the boat too but wouldn't know how to get through the states that don't allow doubles....

Charlie
 
Charlie,

Best way to get through a state that doesn't allow doubles is to go around it (not a practical option). My parents have a 40' 5th wheel, and were considering taking a trip from Maine down the east coast to Florida this summer. They did some research and found out that their rig is too long for the state of South Carolina (evidently they only allow up to 35' campers there?). I thought that sounded funny and not right, but that has deterred them. Too long to go around the state too.
 
I know that ca. allows doubles but the boat can not be over 16ft. and if you try to cross in to oregon they will ticket you and send you back the way you came. as far as south carolina not allowing longer 5 th wheels you can tow what ever is legal in your state any where as long as it is not a double. my folk ,even my mom have to have a class a in nevada because of the length of there 5 th wheel. but ca. drivers only need class c but can drive in nevada with a ca registered rig. they can not drive a nevada registered rig unless the have a ca class a. its also illegal to shoot camels in nevada.
 
I have a ways to go before retirement (some quick math tells me that I'm only 127 years away from paying off the bills and retiring) but I've often pondered on how to get all the toys moved to the new fun site. One way I've been scratching my head on is that of a larger truck that the boat could be loaded on to with a bumper pull trailer on behind. I've seen several folks around the N.W. with 18' boat trailer combos run up on their pickup. The C-Dory weighs less than many of those big mongo campers, the kicker would be the center of gravity.....food for thought
 
How about parking one trailer at the state line, towing the other thru that state, park it and return for the first trailer?

Its extra driving, but it might be worth it.
 
Larry, that's kinda like how do you get a fox, a goose and a sack of grain across a river in one rowboat when some of them can't travel together. As for the double rig option, I think my noise problem could be solved by putting Mrs. CC in the 5th wheel and have her keep her eyes out the back window to make sure the CD is OK... :twisted:

That'd go over like a cement zepplin...

Charlie
 
Hi C-brats,

Visited a local RV dealer recently and saw some huge "toy haulers". You could probably put a 14' or 16' C-Dory on a trailer in the cargo bay of the toy hauler instead of the typical ATV's and dirt bikes. With this combo you could pull both your boat and RV. The combined weight of the boat , motor, trailer, and toy hauler would most likely require a 3/4 ton towing rig. The critical dimension would be the width of the boat trailer relative to the interior width of the cargo bay. On the other hand it might be cheaper to buy a 25' C-Dory
and tow it with a pickup & camper combo! Too many toys, not enough time!
Best Regards, Leo.
 
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