towing double ignorance

[BGlidewell]

Yes, I'm completly ignorant about towing double. What I want to check into is towing a 14' 2 axle open trailer behind a 16' enclosed 2 axle cargo trailer. I can imagine how to weld a tube on the cargo trailer for the open trailer hitch, but what about the wiring connection for the rear trailer? Does the connection for the second trailer come from the front trailer or the TV? Both trailers have electric brakes.



Now theres the question of backing. How do you back when towing double? Most I have spoken to say they plan their trips so they never have to back up. Is this the rule or the exception? Sorry if this has been covered adnausium.

 

[Nate]

I would imagine backing would be a pain. I know the trailers at work, are like hay wagons where the tongue is attached to the front wheels.

One of the guys was able to back 8 or 9 of them hooked together though

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

I used to double tow my 5th wheel and my boat. I tapped into the light system on the 5th wheel at the rear and added a pigtail to connect the boat light to it. I never had any problems. I think backing would be almost impossible, i never attempted it. I bought a larger 5th wheel and i miss the ability to take the boat. :{

 

[PC12Driver]

I think that most/all states that allow double towing require that the first trailer is a gooseneck or a 5th wheel. The sway from two bumper-pulls could get out of hand pretty quick. Getting the balance correct would also be tricky.

 

[BGlidewell]

I think that most/all states that allow double towing require that the first trailer is a gooseneck or a 5th wheel. The sway from two bumper-pulls could get out of hand pretty quick. Getting the balance correct would also be tricky.

I agree with your reasoning but I see 2 BP in use here all the time. "I" would do this so I could drag my trailers to a spot in one trip rather than using them to haul twice as much (twice as fast) .

 

[JSienkowski]

May also be a special ie Commercial Lisence requirement, I do not know however.

 

[BrianJ]

Don’t know about other states, but I do know it IS legal to tow ball to ball in CO, WY, and SD, the states that I tow double in (ball to ball). I have never had any problems double towing and most of the time can hardly tell the second trailer is behind. The only time things have felt a little squirmy with the “tail wanting to wag the dog” is going high speed down hill, like dropping down into Denver on I-70. I just engage the Jacobs and cruise at 55-60 in the right lane and all is well. Most states do have regulations in regards to the trailers being “recreational vehicles” (i. e. RV’s and a boat) when double towing. I don’t think Tx allows two “cargo” trailers to be towed double. I would call the state DOT or State Patrol to verify.



I have tried to back a couple times to get lined up in a pull through campsite and it generally is only possible to back 5-10 feet before things get out of whack and the back trailer wants to jack-knife. I would not plan on being able to back up more than a few feet, so plan fuel stops accordingly.



I added a 4 pin connection at the back of the RV (tying to the rear RV wiring) to accommodate the electrical for the second trailer (boat or atv trailer w/o brakes). The wiring will be more involved with brakes on the second trailer.

 

[FYarcho]

Well backing will be nearly impossible. But you will want to double check the laws for your state and any states which you will be towing that combo. I can tell you that in California a commercial driver's license is required with a doubles endorsement. Good Luck!!!

 

[PC12Driver]

I agree with your reasoning but I see 2 BP in use here all the time. "I" would do this so I could drag my trailers to a spot in one trip rather than using them to haul twice as much (twice as fast) .

I just did a google search on the subject to see if I could find where I read that before. It appears that it doesn't really matter what configuration the first trailer is, since, since towing two trailers isn't allowed legally in Texas (none of these sights were "official" though). So disregard my previous post. Well, the legal part anyway. Two bumper-pulls still aren't cool from a safety standpoint.

 

[BrianJ]

I just did a google search on the subject to see if I could find where I read that before. It appears that it doesn't really matter what configuration the first trailer is, since, since towing two trailers isn't allowed legally in Texas (none of these sights were "official" though). So disregard my previous post. Well, the legal part anyway. Two bumper-pulls still aren't cool from a safety standpoint.

Do you have any personal experience towing double, either 5th/gooseneck or ball to ball?

 

[PC12Driver]

Do you have any personal experience towing double, either 5th/gooseneck or ball to ball?

Nope. Lots of miles pulling a bunch of different trailers in all conditions, but no doubles.



Is this the part where you try to tell me that towing two bumper pull trailers is perfectly safe because you've pulled them and haven't had any problems, and I don't know what I'm talking about because I haven't?

 

[juicedcummins]

Backing up doubles is very easy for those of us that run doubles in the big rigs. I can parallel park mine and I back off the street everytime I get home into a 1 lane pad. I've even launched my boat off of the camper. No big deal.

 

[Gaskicker]

Nope. Lots of miles pulling a bunch of different trailers in all conditions, but no doubles.



Is this the part where you try to tell me that towing two bumper pull trailers is perfectly safe because you've pulled them and haven't had any problems, and I don't know what I'm talking about because I haven't?

"YES"



I just couldnt help myself, you have definitely read enough threads on this site to know what is going to happen when you throw experience out there.



I have towed twice with doubles, yes only twice, and the only time I felt that I was safe was driving at 65 mph or when I was stopped. However, getting everything there the first time rather than making two trips - priceless.



Also, backing I have found is easier to do when making a slight turn to the left rather than straight back; I dont know why, it just seems easier for me. I actually backed a 24' TT and a 12' atv trailer approx 75' making a slight left turn into my driveway.

 

[PC12Driver]

I have towed twice with doubles, yes only twice, and the only time I felt that I was safe was driving at 65 mph or when I was stopped.

Now do an emergency lane change while braking heavily at 65 mph with two bumper pull trailers. Let me know how "safe" that feels.

However, getting everything there the first time rather than making two trips - priceless.

Here's another catch phrase - you can't win if you don't finish the race.

-or-

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.



I know the experience thing is relative and subjective. But I can guarantee that I have waaay more towing experience than the average rv-pulling weekend warrior. Enough to tell me that I'd rather make the extra 5-hour round trips to get our boat to the lake than to play with doubles.



I'm not saying that pulling doubles CAN'T be done, just that safety becomes significantly compromised if you do, even exponentially more so with the two-bumper-pull configuration. No question. In a straight line everything will be good, but if the driver has to start evasive maneuvers it all comes down to luck. I prefer a bit more control. Having things get squirrelly just simply by driving down a hill doesn't sound like a good time to me.



And yes, you can help yourself.

 

[BrianJ]

Nope. Lots of miles pulling a bunch of different trailers in all conditions, but no doubles.



Is this the part where you try to tell me that towing two bumper pull trailers is perfectly safe because you've pulled them and haven't had any problems, and I don't know what I'm talking about because I haven't?

To a degree, yes, this is where I am going to say something to that affect, while not trying to be a total smart*****. In any scenario someone with hands-on practical experience is in a better position to speculate on a topic than someone with no experience. I am not saying towing doubles in any fashion (ball or 5th) is “as safe” as single towing. However, to speculate that just because it is ball to ball it is completely unsafe, without practical experience is making an uninformed statement.



I have pulled single and double for ten’s of thousands of miles and can tell you through “hands-on” experience that ball to ball can be very stable when set up properly, just like any tow setup. Part of that setup means weight distribution and sway control on the first trailer. Part of that set up is that my 2,000lb boat or 2,500lb ATV trailer doesn’t have a lot of directional force on the 7,500lb truck or 10,000lb RV in front of it. There is not a lot of “tail to wag the dog”, so to speak. I have driven in just about any condition, with the worst being the winds of Wyoming along I-25, and my setup has been very stable and I get very little additional sway from the double compared to just pulling the RV in the same type conditions.



As stated in my previous post the only scenario where I personally experience any difference is long downhill stretches on interstate (high speed) highways, such as I-70 dropping into Denver from the mountains. Where I can comfortably go 65-70 with the RV in tow, those speeds get a little more squirmy when double with the downhill forces. Taking the speed down to 55-60 gets everything very stable again.



Again, I am not saying it necessarily as safe and single towing, for that matter towing anything at all is not as safe as driving unloaded. Does that mean even single towing is unsafe? As with anything, without the proper setup it may not be safe, however, if you take care of the details and match all of the components properly (including size and type of trailers) it can be plenty stable. It definitely helps having a much heavier front trailer (rv) than 2nd trailer (boat, atv’s). Through experience, I personally would agree that it’s unsafe to pull double trailers of near weight with any hitch setup (5th or ball to ball, not including big rigs here).

 

[BGlidewell]

... with the worst being the winds of Wyoming along I-25, ... .

I hear they use a chain as a windsock along that road

 

[kbond]

Now do an emergency lane change while braking heavily at 65 mph with two bumper pull trailers. Let me know how "safe" that feels.







Here's another catch phrase - you can't win if you don't finish the race.

-or-

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.



I know the experience thing is relative and subjective. But I can guarantee that I have waaay more towing experience than the average rv-pulling weekend warrior. Enough to tell me that I'd rather make the extra 5-hour round trips to get our boat to the lake than to play with doubles.



I'm not saying that pulling doubles CAN'T be done, just that safety becomes significantly compromised if you do, even exponentially more so with the two-bumper-pull configuration. No question. In a straight line everything will be good, but if the driver has to start evasive maneuvers it all comes down to luck. I prefer a bit more control. Having things get squirrelly just simply by driving down a hill doesn't sound like a good time to me.



And yes, you can help yourself.

don't think I have the B@lls to pull double BP but I would with goose as the first. In my opinion you are dealing with luck everytime you get on the freeway. You have no control over what the other guy is gonna do.

 

[bighammer]

I've never pulled double, but this got me wondering if the front trailer has to be loaded more tongue heavy to compensate for the tongue weight of the rear trailer? (on the rear of the forward trailer)

Is there some kind of formula of weight distribution? (like rear trailer should be no more than XX% of the front trailer)

Personally, before I went double I would read everything I could get my hands on.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

PC 12Driver, you sissy!



Check these dudes out, they do it for a living.



http://www.southeasterntrailers.com/

 

[B.G. Smith]

Yes, I'm completly ignorant about towing double. What I want to check into is towing a 14' 2 axle open trailer behind a 16' enclosed 2 axle cargo trailer. I can imagine how to weld a tube on the cargo trailer for the open trailer hitch, but what about the wiring connection for the rear trailer? Does the connection for the second trailer come from the front trailer or the TV? Both trailers have electric brakes.



Now theres the question of backing. How do you back when towing double? Most I have spoken to say they plan their trips so they never have to back up. Is this the rule or the exception? Sorry if this has been covered adnausium.

I built a towbar and installed it on a 31' Carri-Lite 5th wheel and pulled my 17' bass boat behind. I could back a few feet but not very succesfully. I tied into the lights at the right tail light on the 5th wheel, you will probably have to tie in the brakes at the front trailer axles. Unless the laws have changed here (Texas) in the recent past, there is no regulations as to what type trailer you can pull, just weight and lengts regulations. bg