Tandum Towing Assist Dolly

[GooseHunter]

I am towing a 22' boat trailer behind a 31’ 5th wheel RV. The tongue weight of the boat trailer is putting a serious strain on the frame of the 5'er. Over time I am worried about the 5'er frame sagging. In fact the manufacture will not guarantee the frame from sagging because of the added hitch to the rear.



Has anybody seen or know where I can find a helper set of wheels? I have heard of a dolly that slides into the hitch on the 5'er, and the second trailer hitches up to the dolly. The dolly take weight off the 5th hitch and puts the down pressure from the towed trailer onto the ground. It was described to me as being similar to a narrow front end on a row crop tractor. I would like to find a manufacture, before I attempt to make my own.



Thanks in advance.

 

[rluft]

I saw a gadget either in an RV magazine or a tv show. It slid into the receiver, had a tire attached and adjustable with a screw jack, than another receiver on the backside where the trailer hitch was attached. I don't think the tire swiveled so it would stabilize side to side motion and was height adjustable to take load off the tow vehicle. I don't remember who made it, perhaps Google can help.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

GooseHunter,



First, the only consumer converter dolly I have seen is the Hitch Buddy, made in Ohio.

http://www.hitch-buddy.com/



Second, you could probably do it cheaper making it on your own. You can look at some commercial units here to get your creativity flowin'. These boys love towin' doubles.

http://www.southeasterntrailers.com/

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

Very few RV manufacturers will warranty the frame of a trailer when a hitch is installed on the back. I've never heard of the frame sagging because of the tongue weight of the boat, but I imagine it is possible. What brand is your 5er? How stout is the frame? I've towed tandem for about 4 years, so I have a fair amount of experience in it. One issue you should consider is the amount of trailer sway (fish-tail) you will get if you reduce your tongue weight. I have a buddy that tows a 5er that is about 28' with an 18' single axle boat. The only way he could stop the trailer sway was by seriously increasing the tongue weight. My old boat had low enough tongue weight that I could lift it by myself (the boat was 20'). I did experience some trailer sway with it. I can't budge the new boat by myself, and it pulls like a dream. Just something to consider.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Ryan,



Would a sway control bar help in that situation, or no?



GooseHunter,



Have you tried a weight distributing hitch? They take the sag out of towing so much you can tow with a front wheel drive car with NO rear wheels on the axles!

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

Most boat trailers have surge brakes. I was under the impression that sway bars and weight distributing hitches would hinder their operation.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Ahhh, thank you sir.



Learn something new everyday!