2 trailers

[TPotter]

Do any of you know if its legal to pull a boat/trailer behind a 5th wheel? I see alot of Ga. boys coming into Florida doing it, just wondered if there was a law against it.



I know I know, can't back them but sure would be nice to get the boat and 5er there at the same time.

 

[Dkevdog]

I believe it varies from state to state, but in the majority of states it is legal. Many states require special licensing and the second trailer must meet certain criteria (length and type) in order to be legal. There are also guidelines for the entire combined length and wieght.



Kev

 

[TPotter]

Yeah, I am reading into this now. Really hard to understand, thanks for your input. .

 

[Wally]

It is legal here in AZ but not in NV or CA and have towed thru both without any problems but I would check with you state motor vehicle dept to be sure

 

[QRTRHRS]

Re: Backing 2 trailers.

Originally posted by TPotter

I know I know, can't back them but sure would be nice to get the boat and 5er there at the same time.

True, you can't back them to the degree that you can back a single trailer, but you might be surprised how much backing you can do. The more similar the trailer lengths are, the more you can do. It would be mostly straight line but you might be surprised how useful this skill can be.



Anyway, I recall seeing a lead posted here on which states allow it and which ones do not. Someone have that?

 

[y-knot]

The regs do vary from state to state, but genneraly the front trailer has to be a fifth wheel or gooseneck, and the over all length under 65'.

 

[Barry]

I picked up a 27' 5er in Lakeland, Fla. last month. Stopped by the auction in Ocala and hooked a big popup tent trailer behind the 5er and came to Texas hammer down. Do it all the time... ... ... It is far easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission. II Barry 3:4

 

[TPCDrafting]

A friend pulls a small 5'er and small fishing boat in tandem here every summer. He pulled into a rest area and got stuck with someone parked in front of him. He tried backing it up and couldn't figure it out. A truck driver walked up and talked him through it. He was able to back far enough to get going forward again. The trucker said he pulls doubles and triples and has to back up occasionally. Not sure how he did it, but he did. On another note, I saw a CTD pulling a fairly large party boat last summer with a small pop up behind it. Both bumper pulls, I couldn't believe my eyes. I wouldn't have any problem pulling two, but I'd surely want the front one to be 5'er or GN as stated above.

 

[OTRPU]

On another board I'm DoubleTow

Back when I had a real job and weekends/holidays off, towed my 26 ft 5er and 26 ft toonboat/trailer bout every weenend and for vacations. Colorado mostly, but been to Powell. I've seen many pulling two "tag" trailers, never done it myself. Since commercial most haulers I see have a 5th wheel or GN, then a "tag" hooked to that. Myself, I really don't know what the differences would be. Like I said, seen it, never done it. Generally rear trailer needs brakes > than 3,000 lbs, and it's own breakaway, and 70 ft max overall. I'm not all that thrilled at backing even a single trailer, don't care what kind. Last spotter I had was watching the birds, let me back somebodies 5er ladder into a tree. I sort of ask him what he thought he was there for, cept to keep me from backing into something he could see that I couldn't. . . really didn't have a good answer. Far as I'm concerned, less backing the better.



Cheers,

Steve J.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by TPCDrafting

A friend pulls a small 5'er and small fishing boat in tandem here every summer. He pulled into a rest area and got stuck with someone parked in front of him. He tried backing it up and couldn't figure it out. A truck driver walked up and talked him through it. He was able to back far enough to get going forward again. The trucker said he pulls doubles and triples and has to back up occasionally. Not sure how he did it, but he did. On another note, I saw a CTD pulling a fairly large party boat last summer with a small pop up behind it. Both bumper pulls, I couldn't believe my eyes. I wouldn't have any problem pulling two, but I'd surely want the front one to be 5'er or GN as stated above.

Think about it. When your backing a single trailer, the back of the trailer turns opposite your steering wheel. A third trailer goes the same direction as the wheel. With a gooseneck/fifthwheel and a bumper pull, you can do a lot. Double/triple trucks have the "jiff" to handicap the procedure. If you ever pulled something short like an air compressor or cement mixer with a pickup, you know how quickly a short trailer turns. That's why the additional dimension of having a jiff makes it difficult. It's about being subtle with the wheel and making minute adjustments, pulling up on occasion then backing again.

 

[Big Best]

Its legal in ca. nev. ida. and most of western states you have to have a class i. licence though. BOB

 

[QRTRHRS]

Found some sites.

http://www.hitchemup.com/statetowinglaws.htm

http://www.rvsafety.com/state.htm

 

[wbrown02]

It is legal in California, Nveada, Arizona, and Utah . I have pulled both fiver and boat through these states many time with no problems whatsover..... You must have ( for California) Class A licenses with double trailer endorsement, Brakes on all vehicles operated by a single devise (read brake pedal), current dot medical certificate (renewed every two years). Yes you can back this combination up quite well... . It is not a "set of doubles" as a set of doubles has 3 joints in the combo. It backs like a "truck and trailer" as you have only two moveable joints. It can be done quite easily with some practice. :--)



Bill Brown

 

[TPotter]

Thanks Guys, I knew I would get answers from you all. I did speak with a Florida DOT Sgt. he says it is not legal in Florida, but he said it wasn't inforced that much.

I have a 30' 5th app. 9000# and a 21' Mako CC it is probably 30' as well by the time you count engine and trailer... ..... Do you guys think I would stick out like a sore thumb?? I do have a class A CDL so I am used to pulling things, not worried about the pulling part. Just will the 3/4 ton handle it? Well the transmission I mean!! I just dont want to have to drop off the boat on the side of the road.





Again thanks to all that responded to my questions. No place like TDR!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mtngoat]

In Kansas its legal as the front is a 5vr. CAnt have 2 ball hitches.



Robin

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by Barry

II Barry 3:4

:-laf