Towing a boat behind a 5th whell

[Glenn]

Anyone have experience towing a boat behind a 5th wheel? I have a 2004 3500 diesel and a 25' coachmen 5th wheel. Iwould like to tow a 20" boat 2,100 lbs behind the 5th. Took it on a test run today and it did good. Anything to watch for?

 

[ksadz]

Funny I just saw a guy today in a GMC 2500 doing the same thing on the I-15 in Southern CA. He was tooling along quite comfortably. Sorry, I don't have any kind of info that you can use

 

[OTRPU]

I've double towed my 26 ft 5er and 20 ft pontoon boat on tandem 26 ft trailer for a couple Colorado seasons. My boat w/trailer around 3,500 rigged n' ready. When I did this I was running my 96 F350 PSD CC Dually 2WD 5sp Manual. That truck has a few problems, gotta lotta blowby, prolly needs rings. It would slow some at the extreme summits some of the steeper grades round Colorado. But 45MPH gets you there eventually. As far as towing, best advice is don't take any chances, 55 or 60 tops for me when doubled up. Figure the point is to get there, not get there first. Also, make sure you can drive back out or around where you stick your nose in. I stop and either have wifey walk through or do it myself. Once I had to unhook the boat and we manhandled it back so I could back the camper out of where I shouldn't have gotten into. Wifey said, "don't do that anymore". She figures taking alittle hike and looking is easier than horsing that tandem trailer around. If I drag doubles anymore I'll get a receiver mount winch and also a front reciever installed. On the road I take my time and leave lots of room tween me and anything else. They'll keep jumping in front of you, so just back out of it some and open the gap. It isn't that they don't think, they're just thinking about something else. All my miles on the roads I've never seen non commercial doubles in the ditch, seen hundreds of singles. I always looked at it like having double the responsibility, makes you even more cautious. Suggest your first few trips be shorter than longer. Get alittle experience at it affore you head out for 3,000 miles. I usually only doubled when I had three or more days to stay, lots of trouble rigging and what not, to be running doubles on the weekend, JMHO



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[bmoeller]

Boss' grandparents pull a 24' fifth wheel and light 19' fishing boat. They pull it with a '02 Ram 1500 (360 V8), SB, QC, 2wd truck. They've been doint for the 2 past summers. They usually go out with some friends for a week or two at a time.



They built a hitch for the rear of the camper to pull it.

 

[mbaston]

According to regulations I have found, two trailers are not legal in Florida.

 

[SOLER]

What OTRPU said.



I've done it, and it's not bad. The worst part about it is that the other trailer is way back there, and I can't monitor it very well.



What mbaston said, too Check the laws. Depending on where you are and where you go, the fines could be steep.



But, your truck will do the job, and your trailer, if the frame is beefy enough on the 5er (mine is 6" I-beam), should be fine, too.

 

[BILLYGEE]

In Wisconsin, you have to get a permit, costs $40. for the year, a little less if you get it for shorter period, and you are only allowed a maximum overall length of 60 feet. This doesn't allow very long rv's and or 3rd unit. Have to watch your turns and other maneuvers and possibility of 3rd unit wanting to whip on you. Also if 3rd unit has brakes there are some issues with brake controllers and synchronizing the electric brakes on both trailers. But it can be done. Pulled my 22' tt with 15' enclosed trailer behind to SD several years ago, no problem cruising highway speeds. Had to tap the brake controller a few times when big rigs passed me or I passed them and third unit starting whipping. I probably could have minmized that had I had tandem wheels or more weight in 3rd unit. Just give yourself lots of room.

 

[NIsaacs]

GLEN,

How wide is your boat/trailer? Can you see it behind your Travel Trailer? If not, you might want to get you a small wooden dowel with a small flag on it and stick it out about 2" past your Travel Trailer. Just anchor it on the back of your boat on each side somewhere. Other than that, like everyone else said just be carefull and go for it.



"IF IT AIN'T CUMMINS POWERED, IT AIN'T A TRUCK"



"NICK"

 

[Mille4212]

I agree with everyone here. I have a 24' 5th wheel and a 18' Sea Ray I/O boat and I've been towing double since 96. Its not bad at all, just make double sure you have enough room to stop. The way I look at it is its like riding a motorcycle, you have to watch way ahead and drive like everyone is out to get you. Heck I'll even hook up and double tow for the weekend it just takes me alittle longer getting there, but well worth it. If its legal in your state just do it, drive careful and have fun.

 

[juicedcummins]

I've pulled a 2k boat behind my 12k fiver for the past 8 years with 0 probs. The big thing is too make sure that you have enough hitch weight on the last trailer. If you don'y have enough hitch weight it can and will end up in a whip. This is just common sence to ALL ball hitches, but you would surprised how many people bring home their new boat and it is not loaded safely on the trailer. I've seen many of these people @ the ramp and try to point out that they are loaded wrong and the common answer is that is how it was when we bought it so it has to be safe. On the other hand you do not want too much hitch weight either because it will destroy the rv back end.

I used to pull doubles for a living [8 axle] and think they are as safe as anything on the road IF loaded correctly and pulled by an experienced driver.

 

[Dkevdog]

Originally posted by bmoeller

Boss' grandparents pull a 24' fifth wheel and light 19' fishing boat. They pull it with a '02 Ram 1500 (360 V8), SB, QC, 2wd truck. They've been doint for the 2 past summers. They usually go out with some friends for a week or two at a time.



They built a hitch for the rear of the camper to pull it.

:--) Can you say overloaded???

 

[Big A]

No problem, been doing it since '99. Pull a 30ft Aruba and 21ft ski supreme behind that. Just use common sense. Get an exhaust brake, and take it easy.

Big A

 

[aaronisbad]

I think in most states ball to ball is illegal, but plate to ball is legal. Everybody for sure should check with their own state just to be sure. Once upon a time a pulled wiggle wagons (triples) with a big truck. Doubles weren't bad but on a windy day however, triples could get ya in trouble in a hurry. Backing is NOT an option as I found out once or twice before LOL

 

[dewdo]

Better check state reg's. not all states allow tandem and some that do require a CDL.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[Dick R]

Hello , been towing double bottom in Wisconsin starting in 1988 never any problems , just make sure your second trailer has darn good bearings and tires , you flat out can not see whats going on back their and don't need a flat or burnt bearings , you'd never know it until someone waved at you ,keep your speeds down and you will get their , presently pulling with a 98 CTD with an 11 plate and 4 inch exhaust pulling a 28 ft 5th wheel and a 14 ft boat behind and the truck does well , it's done all the time but check the state laws they do differ , some states are 60 ft some states are 65 ft , some states like minnesota don't want you mixed in their rush hour traffic , heck it's more fun camping when you can bring along more toys , have fun , Dick R

 

[TPotter]

Glen,

Its not legal here in Florida, although I do see alot of Ga. folks doing it here. I spoke the DOT about this and was told yes it a law, but not one that is really enforced. A friend of mine plans to pull a jeep and a 21' boat to the Keys this summer.

 

[TPotter]

Glen,

Its not legal here in Florida, although I do see alot of Ga. folks doing it here. I spoke the DOT about this and was told yes it a law, but not one that is really enforced. A friend of mine plans to pull a jeep and a 21' boat to the Keys this summer.

 

[BDech]

I have done the 5 er and boat gig quiet a few times no problems but a friend of mine has a bit bigger set up with a single axle boat trailer and he blew a tire on the boat at 65 on the highway.

He left the scene with his wallet. the rest of the stuff was loaded into dump trucks with loaders. The whole rig went sideways on him and it was over in an instant. Since then i have not done the 5r boat combo. it is awful hard on the third rigs tires. I am going to a duel axle setup before I go again

 

[TPotter]

Why would it be hard on the third rigs tires? Pulling is pulling right?

 

[BDech]

The side to side sway is what really heats up a tire and the third rig is prone to side to side sway even if you have her loaded right it will sway from the little steering corrections the driver is making.

IMO

I lost two tires in less than an hour once pulling my boat M-T it was real windy and the thing was wipping around back there when i got the first flat I checked the other side tire and it was hot as heck so I slowed her down a bit but I think it was to late. cuz she went to... .

Not saying not to do it just keep good tires on your rig and if she gets to swaying to bad stop and check the tires you will be suprised at the excessive heat