Looking for advice and guidance on towing a 14' alum boat and trailer behind our 22' 5th wheel. Believe I am well within weight/length restrictions and have had a fixed to frame hitch added. What pitfalls, must dos, never dos and bits and pieces extra on rigs are we needing to be aware of? Planning on travelling in Canada and not with boat down to USA in the foreseeable future. Any help appreciated. If you can direct me to previous posts on this subject( couldn't find any relevant ones so far), or other websites then "Thanks".

We towed a 18' 3400 lb bass boat behind a 26' 5th wheel trailer for eight years. I had a custom fabed reciever hitch welded to the trailers main frame rails and crossmembers. No issues. It does take a bit more fore thought so you don't get yourself in a back up situation. Also forget about keeping up with the flow. Just take it easy and pay attention to both trailers.

Google search says this... "According to TowingWorld.COM, the some 30 states do allow you to pull a trailer behind your fifth wheel."You can read this report here...Towing a trailer behind your 5th Wheel.Another issue may be if you are allowed to tow a trailer, boat, or car behind your 5th wheel trailer in your home licensed state will it be legal to do so in the state that don't this you are driving through... There is also a MAXIMUM over-all total length involved...Something to check on before doing it...Roy Ken

Some states do not allow a double tow. Better check before you go.Ken

Hey guys, OP says he will only be double towing in Canada, not bringing boat to US.Jerry

This is opening a can of worms. Lots of vocal folks on this forum are against towing tandem. Most of them have no first hand experience with it.I've towed tandem for about 15 years now. Both my RV and boats are bigger than what you are suggesting. If you set up the rig right, you should be fine. I have a ski boat and a 16' Lund fishing boat, one of which is almost always behind my 5er. The little boat really isn't even noticable when it is back there. Since you won't be able to see it, you might consider either a rear view camera, or adding posts to the fenders of the boat to offer some visability when going down the road. Make sure you have adequate tongue weight on the boat trailer to minimize trailer sway. Keep up with the maintenance on both trailers, and I won't run tires that are older than 5 years. You are unlikely to be able to back up very far with both trailers, and getting fuel may take some advanced planning.When I get to the lake, I head straight to the boat ramp and drop the boat in the parking lot. Then go put your 5er in the camping spot, and go back and get the boat.Have fun with the experience!

Boat trailer behind 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

Winged_One
Explorer
Feb 21, 2015
bigjimh48 wrote:
In Calif to tow doubels you have to have a clas a drivers license with a doubles cert

That's only if you are a resident of California though. If you are legal to tow double in your own State, it's also legal in California without any additional restrictions.
shadows4
Nomad
Feb 20, 2015
dapperdan wrote:
I checked into double towing here in WI. I'd love to be able to pull a small trailer with our Gold Wing on it.

From what I read and I could be wrong BUT double tow is allowed as long as the entire unit doesn't exceed 65 feet. I measured our truck and fifth wheel hooked together and found it to be 57 feet from front bumper on truck to the end cap on the Suites. ... I"m S-O-L as far as legally towing two trailers. I suppose I could get away with but I'm not going to try.

Dan

You would be a good candidate for something like an Idaho tote.

Here is a link to a previous thread discussing the Idaho Tote and other similar trailers.
Allworth
Explorer II
Feb 20, 2015
Non-commercial double tow is NOT legal in Florida, no matter what your home state allows. This is not often enforced, but it could be if the LEO decides to target you. You can be required to drop the second trailer on the spot and then pay a towing company to get it out of their yard. Not cheap!

Commercial carriers must have a special permit and the roads and routes they can use are severely restricted. (Usually limited access highways and within 2.5 miles of an interchange on surface streets.)

This is based on 24 years at Orange County Public Works, most of it as the Traffic Operations Engineer, including coordination with commercial carriers requesting permits from DOT.

See Florida Statutes Chapter 316 and plug "double tow" in the search box.
bigjimh48
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
In Calif to tow doubels you have to have a clas a drivers license with a doubles cert
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
My new boat is 2' longer than the one in the photo. I will have my trailer hitch reinforced next month.
Dtank
Explorer
Feb 20, 2015
RoyB wrote:
Google search says this... "According to TowingWorld.COM, the some 30 states do allow you to pull a trailer behind your fifth wheel."

You can read this report here...
Towing a trailer behind your 5th Wheel.

Another issue may be if you are allowed to tow a trailer, boat, or car behind your 5th wheel trailer in your home licensed state will it be legal to do so in the state that don't this you are driving through...

There is also a MAXIMUM over-all total length involved...

Something to check on before doing it...

Roy Ken

What he said.

Don't know how Canada handles it, but USA:

"Reciprocity" *only* applies to Registration and Driver's License.

The "road rules" - *length*, width, height, weight are determined by the state in which you are traveling.

For most states, max length is 65' - IIRC - there may be a few where it's 60'.

In states where it's common, you probably wouldn't get a second look.

However, in others - a "double tow" stands out like a red Corvette doing 100mph in a 65.

Some LEOs may not care, while some will rigidly enforce their state's length laws.
Lastly, enforcement "diligence" may vary among:
City, County, and state LEO's.

Sinply stated - If your overall length is legal in your home state (or Province of Canada), you may not be legal in some places you travel. (Check in advance. Plan your itinerary accordingly).

Stopped for over length:
Hopefully no citation, but you un-hitch whatever makes you over length, come back and get it (if the LEO is a nice guy/gal) after you drop off the trailer somewhere.

Can of worms!..;)

.
dapperdan
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I checked into double towing here in WI. I'd love to be able to pull a small trailer with our Gold Wing on it.

From what I read and I could be wrong BUT double tow is allowed as long as the entire unit doesn't exceed 65 feet. I measured our truck and fifth wheel hooked together and found it to be 57 feet from front bumper on truck to the end cap on the Suites. ... I"m S-O-L as far as legally towing two trailers. I suppose I could get away with but I'm not going to try.

Dan
Specularius
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
I pulled this setup. That is a 20 foot Bullet behind the Bristol Bay.

It can be done safely as many others have proven.
laknox
Nomad
Feb 19, 2015
dupe
CenTex
Explorer
Feb 19, 2015
This website tells which states and provinces you can legally tow two trailers. It also gives max lengths, height, and width and lots of other info.

http://towingworld.com/towinglaws.cfm