Topic: Towing Doubles (Read 12113 times)

Thompson · « **Reply #30 on:** April 04, 2008, 10:31:36 AM »

A little late on this but here is a web site that lists some of the towing laws. Be sure to verify these before traveling throught any of the places listed. http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

Carl L · « **Reply #31 on:** April 06, 2008, 07:40:32 PM »

Quote from: Thompson on April 04, 2008, 10:31:36 AM

A little late on this but here is a web site that lists some of the towing laws. Be sure to verify these before traveling throught any of the places listed. http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm

But be careful. That table is misleading. CA allows triple towing only with a Class A CDL with a special double trailer endorsement. Unless you have that commercial license you cannot tow triples -- at least with CA plates.

Jim Godward · « **Reply #32 on:** April 06, 2008, 07:53:31 PM »

Carl,

That is aonther one where reciprocity does not apply! :-((

Ron · « **Reply #33 on:** April 06, 2008, 08:09:12 PM »

Quote from: James Godward on April 06, 2008, 07:53:31 PM

Carl,

That is aonther one where reciprocity does not apply! :-((

I think that is a good thing.

M_Neagle · « **Reply #34 on:** July 07, 2008, 10:37:09 AM »

I was involved in an accident while pulling doubles a few years ago. I was approching a bridge with one vehicle oncoming in the distance. On the opposite side of the road before the bridge there was a teeny bopper trying to decide whether she could beat me and should pull out into my lane. I did slow a little as I observed her. At the last moment she gunned it and could have made it but, chickened out. This left her broad side to oncoming traffic just sitting there. I nailed it. She watched the truck go by, the fiver go by, and she nailed it. This resulted in her T-boneing my boat trailer. She was still broadside to the oncoming traffic. To make a long story short, she did do some fancy driving at that point to clear the road. I was stopped and running for her before she got stopped. I was so thankful she was not hurt. She was crying and saying she was in a hurry and so sorry. I calmed her down and called the cops.
The police never said a word about length, doubles, or anything. The report was written as it happened and her insurance fixed my trailer. This happened in TN on Hwy 52 near Portland.

Towing double trailers is as safe as the driver. I know my limitations and never cross them. I have brakes on both trailers and it is amazing how fast I can stop if I have to. I am never closer than 5 seconds to the vehical in front of me. The only other trouble I ever have is somebody passing because of the gap and slowing down.

Bryce88 · « **Reply #35 on:** March 11, 2009, 02:23:29 PM »

I have a class A CDL with double/triple endorsement, Utah issued license, I have my CDL for my job. I know you don't have to have a CDL in Utah to pull doubles (recreational equipment), max length is 65 feet. I have read you have to have different license or endorsements per different state, California being the strictest. My rig is 62 feet long, tv, 5er, and utility trailer with ATV. I am well under my weight limits for my tv. I am wondering where I am legal to pull my rig, do other states recognize Utah CDL's, I would think they would since I am legal to drive a semi interstate. I also have insurance for my rig as described, so that should not be an issue either.

Ned · « **Reply #36 on:** March 11, 2009, 03:42:50 PM »

The issue isn't that other states won't recognize your Utah CDL, they will. The problem is that the consist may not be legal in all other states. You can pull a triple in Utah but not in most other states. It has nothing to do with your CDL.

Bryce88 · « **Reply #37 on:** March 11, 2009, 04:08:01 PM »

I know that my tv, 5er have nothing to do with my CDL, but it sounds like some states that do not allow double towing unless you have a class A licence with endorsement, like California. Would I be able to pull my rig into california with the license I have.

Ned · « **Reply #38 on:** March 11, 2009, 04:44:49 PM »

Each state has its own rules, I don't know the specifics of the CA regs. We have some members here that do know the CA regs quite well and will probably join in here with more information. If the consist is legal in a state, then I would expect you could drive it with your CDL as the licenses is recognized reciprocally by the other states.

S J Strait · « **Reply #39 on:** March 11, 2009, 04:55:53 PM »

Check out this site www.doublehitch.com it is neat don't know if you can run this set up in all states.but it is cool.

Carl L · « **Reply #40 on:** March 11, 2009, 05:18:53 PM »

Quote from: Bryce88 on March 11, 2009, 04:08:01 PM

I know that my tv, 5er have nothing to do with my CDL, but it sounds like some states that do not allow double towing unless you have a class A licence with endorsement, like California. Would I be able to pull my rig into california with the license I have.

1. CA VC Sec. 21715. (a) No passenger vehicle regardless of weight, or any other motor vehicle under 4,000 pounds unladen, shall draw or tow more than one vehicle in combination, except that an auxiliary dolly or tow dolly may be used with the towed vehicle.

2. Towing two or more trailers requires a CDL and a special endorsement.

Ron · « **Reply #41 on:** March 11, 2009, 05:37:47 PM »

It is my understanding that while reciprocally is recognized from state to state towing doubles as well as length and weights are not for non commercial vehicles. There are some states that do not allow any double towing commercial or non commercial.

Bryce88 · « **Reply #42 on:** March 11, 2009, 08:17:33 PM »

Okay, sounds like I should just leave the atv's at home, or check with each state that I will be driving through and destination state. I guess I never realized how free I am in Utah, I can even pull triples in utah at work. We have double belly dumps and double side dumps at work, we call them trains, they are 105' long and we can haul up to 43 ton of material on them, legally down the highway. Thanks for all the info.

kevin · « **Reply #43 on:** March 11, 2009, 09:33:46 PM »

ok just a question here. did you see horse's in the trailer? I'm only asking because I see alot of that around here AR, but they are just delievering trailers to sales lots that way. kevin

acokeday · « **Reply #44 on:** March 26, 2009, 06:53:08 PM »

I responded on March 13, '07 and since then have been from TN to California and back from TN to Michigan, Wisconsin and back. From TN to Maine and all the new england states. All the time pulling two trailers. Have not been stopped yet. I am off to Colorado by way of North Dakota next month. Towing doubles is still legal in TN and I am banking on reciprocity with other states. Alan in Gatlinburg.

Ron · « **Reply #45 on:** March 26, 2009, 11:41:56 PM »

You are just lucky so far if towing in states that do not allow it. Recirocity does not apply on double towing or weights. The real problem would arise if you had an accident and somebody was seriously injured or killed. You may be exposing yourself to serious liability issues. You don't have to believe us just call a couple states that do not allow double towing and ask.

DramDiesel · « **Reply #46 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:36:03 PM »

In CA you need to a commercial class A with doubles endorsement and your max length can't be over 65 feet from tip to tip

BigLarry · « **Reply #47 on:** May 30, 2009, 10:07:19 AM »

I was down at the car wash yesterday sitting next to a Texas DPS weight officer. A fellow walked up to him and asked him about the Texas law for towing doubles. He told the guy that 65 ft. was the max length for the whole rig. He also told the guy that the length is rarely enforced, however if he investigates an accident where a double tow is involved and he finds an over length, illegal hitch, brake or any other violation by the RVer, he throws the book at them.

He doesn't like to see RVer's towing toubles, and feels like their ability to avoid accidents is not good.

Ron · « **Reply #48 on:** May 30, 2009, 12:32:19 PM »

Quote from: BigLarry on May 30, 2009, 10:07:19 AM

I was down at the car wash yesterday sitting next to a Texas DPS weight officer. A fellow walked up to him and asked him about the Texas law for towing doubles. He told the guy that 65 ft. was the max length for the whole rig. He also told the guy that the length is rarely enforced, however if he investigates an accident where a double tow is involved and he finds an over length, illegal hitch, brake or any other violation by the RVer, he throws the book at them.

He doesn't like to see RVer's towing toubles, and feels like their ability to avoid accidents is not good.

Very wise DPS weight officer. Too bad the legislators are not as wise.

chasmosis · « **Reply #49 on:** June 12, 2009, 09:35:01 AM »

I'm interested in more discussion of towing doubles and comments from folks who tow doubles on a regular basis.

I've got a 19 ft princecraft deckboat (aluminum hull). I've had it on the scales with a full tank of gass and all of my usual gear it scales at 3800 lbs. We take it tent camping a couple times a year. I'd like to get out miore but I can't tent camp when it gets too hot.

If I had the $ I'd certainly be looking at an 1 ton srw crew cab and a less than 30 ft 5th wheel (aluminum sided), and looking into towing double.

My boat trailer has surge brakes, and you sure can tell they work when pulling with a pickup or suv. I would think that would also help a lot when towing doubles.

Does anybody know when calculating length of a boat trailer what you actually measure to? Do you count all the way to the tip of the motor in the trailer position or do you just measure to the end of the trailer/boat (whichever sticks out farther).

Carl L · « **Reply #50 on:** June 12, 2009, 05:17:49 PM »

You are proposing to tow a clumsy, unbackable rig that will be right up to 65 feet, if not a bit over. A rig that is outlawed in a number of states. Furthermore, you are subjecting the frame of a trailer to the banging of the surge brakes of a two ton boat and trailer. If you have all options open to you, lose the idea of a truck and 5th wheel trailer and ....

...BUY A MOTORHOME!

kevin · « **Reply #51 on:** June 12, 2009, 06:19:19 PM »

Quote from: Carl L on June 12, 2009, 05:17:49 PM

You are proposing to tow a clumsy, unbackable rig that will be right up to 65 feet, if not a bit over. A rig that is outlawed in a number of states. Furthermore, you are subjecting the frame of a trailer to the banging of the surge brakes of a two ton boat and trailer. If you have all options open to you, lose the idea of a truck and 5th wheel trailer and ....

...BUY A MOTORHOME!

and then what tow a car, and then the two ton boat and trailer?

Wendy · « **Reply #52 on:** June 12, 2009, 07:03:50 PM »

You kinda gotta pick one or the other ..... tow a boat or tow a car. But towing a trrailer (or 5th wheel) and a boat is legal in very few states and is considered to be crazy by most people.

Our option was to buy an inflatable kayak that we can store in the motorhome. Before that, we had one of those port-a-boats that fold up and attach to the side of the motorhome. Another option I've seen is folks who have motorhomes and tow pickup trucks with a boat on top of the trucks; others carry canoes on top of their motorhomes.

Wendy

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #53 on:** June 13, 2009, 08:18:06 AM »

Quote from: chasmosis on June 12, 2009, 09:35:01 AM

I'm interested in more discussion of towing doubles and comments from folks who tow doubles on a regular basis.

I've got a 19 ft princecraft deckboat (aluminum hull). I've had it on the scales with a full tank of gass and all of my usual gear it scales at 3800 lbs. We take it tent camping a couple times a year. I'd like to get out miore but I can't tent camp when it gets too hot.

If I had the $ I'd certainly be looking at an 1 ton srw crew cab and a less than 30 ft 5th wheel (aluminum sided), and looking into towing double.

My boat trailer has surge brakes, and you sure can tell they work when pulling with a pickup or suv. I would think that would also help a lot when towing doubles.

Does anybody know when calculating length of a boat trailer what you actually measure to? Do you count all the way to the tip of the motor in the trailer position or do you just measure to the end of the trailer/boat (whichever sticks out farther).

I have this picture in my mind's eye when I read what you are thinking of doing. If you have to stop hard and fast, I see the 5th wheel going to the left (being pushed by the boat) and the boat going to the right, or vise versa, and both slamming into your truck. If you come to California be prepared, our highway patrol is emphatic about NOT towing doubles. And if you are over 65' from tip to tip, you will get ticketed.

I'm not as familiar with surge brakes as I am electric; but how would you connect the tow connection cord to the truck so that when you apply the brakes, they would work on the boat? Or would you connect the cord to the 5th wheel?

If you did all the calculations for weights, I would bet the 30' 5th wheel and 3800 lbs boat combination would weight more than the truck is qualified to pull anyway.

From my point of view it's a really bad/dangerous idea.

Marsha~

kevin · « **Reply #54 on:** June 13, 2009, 12:29:47 PM »

surge brakes do not need to be connected to the truck, that's why they are called surge brakes. Second what's the difference between what this guy wants to tow, and the people I see with a huge 5er and a 1/2truck pulling them?

mariekie · « **Reply #55 on:** June 13, 2009, 01:35:28 PM »

Quote from: kevin on June 13, 2009, 12:29:47 PM

surge brakes do not need to be connected to the truck, that's why they are called surge brakes. Second what's the difference between what this guy wants to tow, and the people I see with a huge 5er and a 1/2truck pulling them?

Good point!!! I have been wondering the same. Having said that, I will keep my mouth shut for any further opinion on this issue.

Mariekie

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #56 on:** June 13, 2009, 03:16:42 PM »

They are more than likely way over weight too...I'd say the same thing to them.

Marsha~

Wendy · « **Reply #57 on:** June 13, 2009, 03:27:08 PM »

65-foot overall truck/5th wheel/boat combo is going to handle differently from 65-foot overall truck/5th wheel combo, probably much worse. Which is why it is outlawed in most states. It's legal in Colorado and many times we've been passed by one of those truck/5er/boat combos and they always look like they're just barely under control with the trailer swishing one way tne the boat swishing the other way.

Wendy

Carl L · « **Reply #58 on:** June 13, 2009, 04:36:20 PM »

Quote from: kevin on June 13, 2009, 12:29:47 PM

surge brakes do not need to be connected to the truck, that's why they are called surge brakes.

Sure surge brakes are connected to the truck. The connection is mechanical not electrical and the ball and ball mount are the connectors. At least they were on the two ton boat I used to tow.

Quote

Second what's the difference between what this guy wants to tow, and the people I see with a huge 5er and a 1/2truck pulling them?

Damned little. Both are unsafe practices a person can get away with --- for a while.

Alaskansnowbirds · « **Reply #59 on:** June 13, 2009, 07:18:46 PM »

Peg and I live next to a state highway that carries a lot of traffic going to the mountains here in Arizona. On Friday afternoons the road is one RV after another heading for the hills for the weekend. I would guess (from watching the traffic) that about a third of the fifthwheels have another trailer on behind. Most of them have ATVs and camping gear on the second trailer. I even saw one last weekend that was pulling a jeep four down behind the fifthwheel.

Here is a good site that lists the towing laws.

Remember there is NO reciprocity between states as far as towing laws are concerned.

News:

Author Topic: Towing Doubles (Read 12113 times)