Double Haul rules in CA?

slomark wrote:


So, is the unknown benefit of a narrow trailer with a lower cg, worth all this extra work???

Hmm....

The short answer is no. Surge brakes would of course be the easiest to do since you don't have any wiring to worry about and you don't need to be sure of the ability of your brake controller to handle more than 2 axles. Most I believe will handle up to 4 axles of brakes. If your trailer is real narrow you can't see it in your mirrors which makes passing and backing a lot more difficult. You could mount a camera on the back of the trailer but that is just more expense and something else to maintain. My boat and trailer is much narrower than the trailer and I can't see it unless I'm in a turn or if the sun is at an angle I can drive by the shadow of the boat and trailer.


Steve

Since we're at the tail end of this thread, the idea isn't to hijack the OP, however Panhead and JimnLin bring up a real time issue for me. Having just obtained the CDL with the doubles endorsement, the plan is to tow a Polaris side x side, (12' long 64" wide and #1500), up into the Sequoias and Sierras via Hwys 180 and 46. The overhang from the rear axle of the fiver is 9.

The dilemma is how to configure the trailer? I'm thinking surge breaks would be fine, as the four wheel disk brakes on the fiver are dialed in and work perfect.

In addition, the thought of using the double cam sway system by Reese might make sense as well.

Lastly, in order to minimize the width of the Polaris trailer, I considering building a flat bed trailer with an overall width of 6'. Using a torsion axle, I can bring down bed height, and playing with the idea of replicating the low boy type design. By notching the deck, the tires can protrude several inches above the deck, and the Polaris can drive over them while loading and so forth.

This could be lots of work. But the advantage of the adjustable torsion axle will allow for dialing in the hitch weight, which will vary depending whether the genney, Porta Bote, and outboard is on the trailer or not.

So, is the unknown benefit of a narrow trailer with a lower cg, worth all this extra work???

Hmm....

KATOOM wrote:
Correct. Maximum towing speed in CA is 55. I see lots of cars (and occasional semi) going faster than 55-60 mph too, but the financial risk is a lot. That ticket is something in the tune of well over $400.

In Calif when just pulling the 5er I set the cruise at 60 and can drive all day long without drawing the attention of the CHP. When towing double I don't go over 56-57 and I have never been bothered. I get passed often by police and CHP and have never even gotten a second look.

If you stay under the radar so-to-speak, you shouldn't have any trouble.

Steve

Correct. Maximum towing speed in CA is 55. I see lots of cars (and occasional semi) going faster than 55-60 mph too, but the financial risk is a lot. That ticket is something in the tune of well over $400.

57 Panhead wrote:

DERSEQUIM wrote:
About 11 years ago a friend of mine, CDL with Endorsement, and his Buddy, with same CDL etc, went to CA to Pit Crew with another buddy on the NASCAR truck events.
Rod was pulling his Jayco 5'er and his friends Boat! The friend was pulling his 5'er and an enclosed trailer with all the Pit Crew tools!
They were stopped just south of Redding and the Chip asked to see their Licenses. He told Rod to go ahead, but cited his Buddy, because he wasn't towing a BOAT! He then had the Tool Trailer Impounded!
The Race Driver had to go and retrieve the trailer because the Registration was in his name.

You can't always go by what a beat cop (CHP) says, they don't always have a good grip on COMMERCIAL class A laws. Talk to a Commercial Enforcement officer for better information.

I have had a California Class A CDL for over 35 years and racked up over 3 million miles driving professionally in California as well as a few other states. In no way is it legal to double tow without a CDL WITH a doubles/triples endorsement. One must also have a current medical card and must renew the medical card every 2 years unless you have a medical condition that would require you to renew each year. California does NOT put endorsements on NON-Commercial class A licenses, therefore you MUST have a COMMERCIAL CLASS A license (CDL) to pull ANY double trailers AT ALL!

Unless you are driving for compensation either as an independent or as and employee there is no need to maintain a log book.

Steve

And you can't tow trailers over 55 mph, I think. I have lived in California off and on a good part of mylife, but now live in Colorado. I don't miss all these towing laws, that is for sure. Certainly all these fees they collect on all their endorsements hasn't made their state budgets any better.

57 Panhead wrote:

slomark wrote:
Forgot to mention, be certain to consider the off tracking of the second trailer. Depending upon your routes, it could be an issue.

Generally speaking there is so much overhang from the 5ers axles that the tail swing on the fiver will cause the second trailer to track about the same as the 5ers wheels. How well this happens is dependent on the length of over hang of trailer behind the axles and the length from the hitch ball to the axle(s) on the second trailer. My boat does not track outside of where the rear wheels of my 34' Jayco tracks.


Steve

My old uncle double towed with a 24' TT and a 16' fishing boat. The boat trailer tracks were sometimes outside the TT tracks depending steering input around a corner.

My first 5er had more overhang and pulling a 18' 3400 lb bass boat it pretty well tracked the 5er. My next 5er didn't have as much rear overhang and the same boat would track a bit more inside.

slomark wrote:
Forgot to mention, be certain to consider the off tracking of the second trailer. Depending upon your routes, it could be an issue.

Generally speaking there is so much overhang from the 5ers axles that the tail swing on the fiver will cause the second trailer to track about the same as the 5ers wheels. How well this happens is dependent on the length of over hang of trailer behind the axles and the length from the hitch ball to the axle(s) on the second trailer. My boat does not track outside of where the rear wheels of my 34' Jayco tracks.


Steve

Forgot to mention, be certain to consider the off tracking of the second trailer. Depending upon your routes, it could be an issue.

Just obtained my Commercial with Doubles endorsement. And that is required to pulls doubles here in CA. What will your double trailer be?

KATOOM wrote:

DERSEQUIM wrote:
About 11 years ago a friend of mine, CDL with Endorsement, and his Buddy, with same CDL etc, went to CA to Pit Crew with another buddy on the NASCAR truck events.
Rod was pulling his Jayco 5'er and his friends Boat! The friend was pulling his 5'er and an enclosed trailer with all the Pit Crew tools!
They were stopped just south of Redding and the Chip asked to see their Licenses. He told Rod to go ahead, but cited his Buddy, because he wasn't towing a BOAT! He then had the Tool Trailer Impounded!
The Race Driver had to go and retrieve the trailer because the Registration was in his name.

Having a class A (with endorsements) and also having many law enforcement highway patrol buddies, its always surprising to see how little an officer knows. :h At least my friends admit that too.

Regarding this situation, there's nothing which states that you can only tow a boat in doubles. Matter of fact, not to throw fuel on the fire but there is also nothing specific in the CA road laws which states only towing doubles with a 5th wheel as the lead hitch. Which means, as strange as it sounds, yes, you can tow double bumper pull hitches in CA.....as long as you have a class A w/endorsement, and you're under weight and length requirements.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!! One other thing, if the boat or what ever other trailer you are pulling is over 1500 lbs it must have breaks on the trailer.

Steve