Towing 5th wheel w/ boat

[24vcummins]

I have a 30 ft. 5th wheel and a 16 ft. boat. There are sometimes I wish I had both "toys" at the same place. I see people towing a boat behind their camper, but I'm a little skeptikal. Any of you guys doing it? How hard is it? Can you even back up? Did you have to fab a hitch or are there hitches for the camper that are designed to pull boats, etc. ?



Thanks in advance for the input.

 

[dan_gilson]

It can be done but you need a non-commericial class 1 license (at least in CA). You also have to be under the max vehicle length. I hope everything has brakes!

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Mom and dad pulled a 33 foot Avion fiver and a three horse slant bumper pull behind it from Rapid City SD to Wickenburg AZ for years, Even blew a tire on the fiver once and Dad said it was not uncomfortable at all to pull off and change that tire, said there were no control issues at all. They did do alot of research into the length laws, etc on the states they traveled through and knew they were within their limits. If you set it up right it shouldn't be an issue except for whatver length laws might restrict you where you are at.

 

[midnight1black]

pulling 5er / boat

:--) vehicle length and weight is the facter you need to check on .

But if you are into being a safe dirver Don't Do It. you do not have any control of the second trailer when you start to sway and it's not a good way to take your life or anyone else. .

I have seen too many people loose there RV's & truck , boats coming down the mountain's . . Good Luck.

 

[One Old Dog]

5th wheel and boat

24v cummins



I have been pulling my boat behind my 5th wheel for years. the total length is 65 feet ( 18,640 lbs). the boat goes where the 5th wheel goes almost in the same track.

I have back it up but you need someone behind to watch things . the boat turns like your truck.



Put the boat behind the 5th wheel and go for it . I pull with 5 other guys and we all pull the boat behind the 5th wheel. Its fun.

Don't leave the boat at home take it with you.





Have fun Joe

 

[Runaway]

I'm with "One Old Dog," been doing this going on 5 years now with nary a problem.



Hitches are usually fabricated. I know of no aftermarket hitches for tralers.



Check your local state laws and try it.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

Get brakes

I would hope the last trailer has brakes on a setup like that. I would even have an emergency breakaway brake kit on that. Nothing like your second trailer passing you on the downhill.

 

[Okie-Go]

I haven't done it with the 5er but I just got home from a 500 mile pull. I was at Dad's farm and had 12,000 plus on my 20ft gooseneck with wood. Behind it I had a 16ft lowboy with surge brakes. On the lowboy I had tied down my 5x14trailer. On the 5x14 I had two 4 wheelers. I pulled 65-70 on the interstate with no problem. I am thinking of a hitch for the 5er to take the 4 wheelers along. The load is good size but it is teh looks of it that scares you. Dad said he wouldn't do it for nothing, of course he hasn't pulled anything except a 16ft. stock trailer or his hay trailer in a while. I don't think he realizes how easy the gooseneck is to pull.

 

[Dbonzi]

Go for it.

The boys that say its dangerous haven't tried it.

I pull my 28. 5ft fiver and 16. 5ft boat in a cross wind and it almost seems to pull better than without the boat. Don't see why but...

I like the look on the other trucks when you pass them on a hill and you have alot more behind ya than they do

Dennis

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Got a friend with a Ford PS and 33' fiver who pulls his 14' boat/outboard fishing setup behind... No problems other than can't really back up more than a few feet, and ya gotta be REAL aware of yer overall length out on the road and in passing situations, since you can't usually see the boat in yer mirrors, and it's easy to forget...



Yeah - need special license in California too...

 

[24vcummins]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to put some serious thought into it before I try. First problem I've got to fix is the way the camper pulls at an angle because of the height of the truck. I'm thinking about moving the axle's to the bottom of the springs. That should give me the extra height in the rear of the 5ver. Anybody see any problems with doing that?

 

[Big A]

24vcummins,

I pull my 21ft ski supreme behind a 28 footer. The only thing I would recommend, is a equalizer between boat and 5er. As long as the 5er is heavier than the boat, you should be ok. Also give yourself plenty of stopping distance. With all the brakes in the world, there's still something about stopping three vehicles at once.

Big A

 

[RHARVEY]

I have a friend here at the office ask me that same question last week. He has a 36' 5er and he wants to hook his boat behind it. He will be using a F550 Ford and he does have a class B Ca. lic. From what I am hearing. . do it!!!



Rick

 

[RHamner]

I tow double in Calif. 65' max with class A lic. and doubles endorsement. Somewhere their is an indication that the fifth should not exceed 28'.



For travel in other states the Trailer Life Campgrounds book shows in brief which states are legal and the limits. In the West OR. Wash and BC are no no. Most of the rest are legal but not the same.