Towing a trailer behind your 5th wheel?

[tractorseller]

I've been looking at setting my 5th wheel up to pull my quad trailer behind it. My wife won't let me buy a toy hauler because she doesn't like the way they're laid out inside. I'm not concerned about not being able to back up. After pulling around a set of doubles on a semi for a few years I know it just takes a little common sense not to get hung up.



Anybody have any pics of the receiver hitch on the back of their trailer??? I'm going to fabricate one so I'd appreciate any good advice on the hitch setup.

 

[CLAYTON]

tractorseller... I'll take a pic of mine tomorrow for you.

 

[mbadger]

I towed a boat or utility trailer behind a 23 ft. bumper for years. I now have a 30 ft. 5th Wheel trailer and do the same. You need to check out acceptable total lengths and if you can do this at all. There are States that do not allow it. Montana allows 75 ft. but many restrict the length to 65 ft. California allows it but it has to be a boat. Canadian allows it some places.



Mike

 

[wtfd6]

ill try to get a pic for you. mark

 

[WRStrong]

Anybody have any pics of the receiver hitch on the back of their trailer??? I'm going to fabricate one so I'd appreciate any good advice on the hitch setup.

I'll see if I can post some hitch pics after work tomorrow. It looks like a pretty easy fab. The hitch receiver setup on my 5er is attached to the frame rails and the rear cross member. Pretty beefy. It looks like the fabricator used heavy 2x2 inch angle iron and 2 inch square tubing for the structure and then added a commercial built receiver tube.

 

[mbadger]

2x2 inch doesn't sound very sturdy. My hitch was attached to the frame with 2x8 inch box iron and reinforced at these points. My hitch was professionally installed and I trust it. I would had to have a weak hitch and loose a trailer and wreck it or kill someone. My boat is pretty heavy. See picture gallery. Good luck!



Mike

 

[BrianJ]

Great topic WRStrong... I don't want to steal your thread, but do you mind if I open it up to tandem pulling with a bumper pull RV trailer? I have a 32' Travel Trailer (9-10k loaded) and I am thinking of pulling a 14' power boat behind. The boat (with trailer) weigh in at most 800 lbs. I know that it's legal in colorado (I would barely be under the 70' lengh limit at 68' total), but I would like to hear opinions on if anyone thinks I would have trouble with this setup due to the RV being a bumper pull. By the way, I have a 4. 5 2500 QC Short Box '600CTD' 6 speed.

 

[pwerwagn]

Brian,

I think it can be done fairly safely, but you will tend to get a little "snake action", per se. Occasionally you will get some sway out of them, but if you are careful with it, I think youll be safe.

Warren,

Is the angle 1/4"? Only reason I ask, is I had a hitch made from 3x3x1/4" angle and pulled about 7,000lbs and it bent. I was surprised. Knowing your background though, I am sure you know if the hitch is sturdy enough or not.

 

[WRStrong]

BrianJones, welcome to TDR. You're not stealing a thread, your just expaniding on it! I have seen several people tow double with bumper pulls. At 800 lbs I doubt you'll know the boat is back there... unless you do indeed start to get some sway.



As for my hitch on the 5er... I didn't go out and look before posting last night, and getting home late again tonight, I still haven't looked to remind myself of the construction. I do know it was professionally installed. It's well built and solidly attached to the frame. Looks like a sound installation, (I am an engineer). The structural members are not massive, but are well placed and attached to the frame at many points. I don't think I'll be nuking anyone on the highway due to a weak hitch. If I didn't trust it, I would cut it off and not even consider using it.



Thanks

 

[WRStrong]

Ok, you all guilted me into going out with a flashlight to look at my 5er rear hitch. The main structure is a 3x3" 1/4" wall square tube. It is attached to the frame rails on each side, and then gusseted and braced. It actully looks like a factory installation. Does anyone know if a rear hitch is offered as a factory option?

 

[NVR FNSH]

My '79 CJ-7 weighs ~4000 lbs. I don't believe the frame on my 5th wheel is anywhere near strong enough to handle an additional trailer of that weight.....



Brian

 

[pwerwagn]

I believe a rear hitch is offered as a factory option on some models. I am almost 100% positive that Wildcat offers it, Cougar, some laytons, etc. usually they are pretty well built hitches.

 

[BrianJ]

Thanks for the replies pwerwagn and WRStrong. I wouldn't think I would have too much trouble as long as I take it easy. As soon as I get a hitch fabricated for the RV trailer I will be checking it out.



As for being available as a factory option on the Wildcat, I do believe I saw or heard something to that effect (at least on the 5th wheels) when I bought my Wildcat bumper pull.

 

[BrianJ]

Hmmm... I just set up my signature prior to the last post and it didn't show... trying this one more time...

 

[jtaylor]

My '79 CJ-7 weighs ~4000 lbs. I don't believe the frame on my 5th wheel is anywhere near strong enough to handle an additional trailer of that weight.....



Brian

A Jeep sure does seem like a lot a weight behind a fifth wheel, especially on a trailer. This kind of towing is pretty popular around here, but I've never seen anything more than a boat or trailer with motorcycle or ATV,etc. I did see someone pulling a medium sized pontoon once, glad he was going the other way.

And geez, why is everyone afraid to back up two trailers?

 

[Sputnick]

Pullin Double

Hey guys it's no problem to pull double, we pulled a 14" bike trailer behind our fiver from west texas to colorado, had no problems with the police. Like was said plan yer route and don't get your self in a need to back ordeal. We also pull our boat here in texas and up to newmexico not bad at all.

 

[GAmes]

Just to add my . 02



NVR FNSH, isn't the frame on your 5er larger than the frame of your CTD? You wouldn't worry about pulling 4k with your truck with the proper hitch would you?



BrianJones, to minimize sway I'd have sway bars installed on both trailers. Other than that you should be OK.

 

[CTD 600]

I am looking to buy a Jayco 5er toyhauler. They said if I put a hitch on the back of the rig it would void the structural warranty of the rig. The structural warranty on the rig is 3 years and limited. With that being said, I am going to install a hitch Class 4 or 5 hitch just to be safe and pull the boat behind the 5er.



Licensing rules and length have to be considered before you go on your trip, especially if you are going to other states. I'm sure you get alot of looks when you have everything hitched up going down the road!

 

[WRStrong]

When it quits snowin' and blowin' here in New Mexico, I think I'll hook up the 5th wheel and string a bunch of other trailers behind it just for a photo op. I can hitch a 18 ft carhauler to the 5er, and my boat behind that . No really though I think I'm gonna try out pulling double just to get a feel for it first hand. I see it all the time but I think I'd be nervous not being able to see a smaller trailer behind the 5th wheel. One of those back up cameras and a monitor would be great. Anyone using a camera?

 

[mbadger]

I wanted to hook up one of my other trailers and take a picture like you discribed but haven't gotten around to it. I bet it would be great.

I haven't used a camera, but with the boat before the one I have now, I used a florescent orange ball on a metal arm attached to the side of the boat trailer that I could see as I drove down the road. Without it I was very nervous. The boat I have now is big enongh to see whenever I want to. Good luck in whatever you do.



Mike