Is it legal to ride in a 5th wheel in transit?

[JDubien]

Hi everyone,



Do you guys know if it's legal to ride in a 5th wheel while in tow?



Thanks in advance

 

[SDancy]

I know the answer to this! In Fla, as in most states, it is not legal to ride in a fifth wheel or travel trailer while it is being pulled or towed.

 

[oneshotkyle]

everywhere i can remember on the west coast it is legal in a fifth wheel, but not bumper pulls. i honestly didn't know that any states denied riding in them, i'm kinda surprised.

 

[rneger]

Boys, Just FYI. In British Columbia, Canada it is illegal to ride in the fifth wheel while traveling on the hwy.

 

[YFZBOB]

Hi everyone,



Do you guys know if it's legal to ride in a 5th wheel while in tow?



Thanks in advance

Here's some information on RV Road Use Laws by State.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Last I knew, it was legal in a 5th wheel, but required some form of communication between the 5er and the tow vehicle in case of emergency - a FRS radio or similar handi-talki works just fine...

 

[klaybus]

Not legal in Washington state. I called the WSP & asked about that & about pulling doubles... . Got NO on both.



Clay

 

[Cummins724]

My 3 brothers & I rode in our trailer every trip growing up.....communicated by walkie talkie with our DAD/MOM. It was a blast when we were younger. We had a lift up bed in the master bedroom which had a lock on the inside that my DAD said to hide under if we were stopped by the police. He would call us on the walkie & say "Oink" as a code for Cop on our tail. He sometimes would do it just to annoy us. The good ole days.

 

[JasonCzerak]

I find it funny that some states allow one law and another state contradicts it. In this case, how is California safer "state" to ride in a 5th while Florida isn't "safe" ?

 

[Babyfat]

i got stopped going to the nascar race buy state police and the troop said it was illegal to ride in the 5'er, but in fact it is not illegal, so the man/woman with the badge and gun doesn't always know, no disrespect to law enforcement i have two uncles that retired from the state police and a cousin that is a troop and another that works for the sheriff dept.



on another note i would note recommend riding it one going down the highway, we did it only because its a 15 minute ride down back roads to the race track. and the 10-15 people we take can party hardy with one dd.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I know it's not what you asked, but I would recommend you never rode in a 5th wheel while traveling down the highway. I travel the highways alot thru-out the country and have seen many accidents involving rv's. It's never a pretty site. Even the best quality top of the line rv will fold like a cheap suit in an accident.

 

[oneshotkyle]

Here's some information on RV Road Use Laws by State.

good info bob thanks... .....

 

[PRawls]

I was surprised to see something on my TT manufacturers website about the kitchen table having seat belts. Although it would be a nice touch for my 2 year old while he's eating, I wouldn't think about letting somebody ride in the trailer. Most of the pictures you see of a TT or 5'er that's wrecked show the trailer pretty much being turned inside out.

 

[TowPro]

My wife rode in our 5th wheel from the campground office to the site, she said that was far enough! never again!

And this was in a large 5er with shocks.

 

[damar]

To Ride or Not to Ride

Check out www.tldirectory.com/ontheroad/riding_permitted.cfm

I assume that the Trailer Life data base if up to date. Don't have a 5th but do try to keep up with the rules.

 

[DragonflyDriver]

My 3 brothers & I rode in our trailer every trip growing up.....communicated by walkie talkie with our DAD/MOM. It was a blast when we were younger. We had a lift up bed in the master bedroom which had a lock on the inside that my DAD said to hide under if we were stopped by the police. He would call us on the walkie & say "Oink" as a code for Cop on our tail. He sometimes would do it just to annoy us. The good ole days.

Cool!

Ahhh yes... the good ole days--back when accidents were rare or we just didn't hear about them as much.

 

[Ross]

I have details on a fatal crash involving two professional cowboys about 10 years ago... Long (sad) story short; the driver of a crew cab dually pickup (Shaun McMullen) died when a woman crossed the center line and hit them head on at full speed. He was wearing a seat belt and had an air bag. Stran Smith, his hauling partner was asleep in the nose of a living quarters horsetrailer, and wasn't hurt.



I know that horse trailers are generally heavier built than travel trailers, so that may have played a role. However, one thing to consider: The more "crush zone" you have, the more shock absorption there is. This may have been what saved Stran, as he was about 15 feet from the impact. In fact, in all the crashes I know of where someone was in the LQ of a trailer, the occupants of the trailer came out better than those in the pickup.



On the other hand, in a roll-over, you are probably better off in the tow vehicle.



There are other hazards while riding in a trailer however, such as asphyxiation, fire, or medical emergency. This is why it's important to have communication with the driver.



The rules do vary from state-to-state, and as someone mentioned above, the officer may or may-not know the rules very well. Inform yourself on the regs, and make your own decision about safety.

 

[JL penner]

I could be mistaken, but I believe horse trailers are different from 5th wheels with the law. Gooseneck vs. 5th Wheel

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

My wife rode in our 5th wheel from the campground office to the site, she said that was far enough! never again!



And this was in a large 5er with shocks.

My kids rode in ours once, and said it was like being in a big tin barn in a big earthquake...

 

[231jasonS]

In CA its legal with a two way communication device. But after rolling my fith wheel and truck last summer in AZ, Iwill never let any one ride in mine. My two kids and my wife and I came through a little sore, but not much. If we had been in the trailer i dont think we would have survived. The trailer was destroyed and in a huge pile of rubble.