Towing a Car behind a 5th Wheel

mowermech wrote:
"It is just NOT a good idea."

What facts or statistics do you have to support that statement?
Or is it just an opinion?

With all the double tows that there are in Montana all summer every summer, including ball hitch/ball hitch doubles, there just aren't enough accidents that can be blamed on the double tow (or even involving double tows) to support that statement.

I agree, another that "thinks" their personal thought trumps reality. I have never heard of any statistic that would support his personal belief. Even on the canyon road coming into our valley, they tow RV doubles all year long and have NEVER heard of an accident involving a double tow.

"It is just NOT a good idea."

What facts or statistics do you have to support that statement?
Or is it just an opinion?

With all the double tows that there are in Montana all summer every summer, including ball hitch/ball hitch doubles, there just aren't enough accidents that can be blamed on the double tow (or even involving double tows) to support that statement.

It is just NOT a good idea.

Whether it is legal and/or where it is illegal is a debate that continues to be Full of Sound and Fury; Signifying Nothing!

So much comment. So little knowledge.

When we full time traveled wife drove the car, I drove the truck & trailer. After figuring the cost of adding to the car, the additional breaking system, a tire monitoring system for the car, a mounting kit installation for the hitching system, the purchase of the hitching system, running the appropriate wiring from the front of the trailer to the rear hitch to power stop & turn lights in the towed car, seeing the local welder to make sure the hitch on the trailer was up to the task of pulling 3,000 lbs or more, I added all that cost up and said, honey you drive the car. Since a long day for us was 300 miles, and then we stayed in a park for 1 to 4 weeks, the drive day was not a big deal for us. We kept in communication via CB radios and she got to listen to her favorite radio station and I got to listen to mine. It worked for 8 years that way.

"A CDL and medical card are not needed to drive an RV of any size per federal standards."

Any state may exceed Federal Standards if they wish.
California requires a "Doubles Endorsement" on the driver's license for any resident towing two trailers. They say the only license that can have a "Doubles Endorsement" is a Class A CDL. Therefore, if you want to tow two trailers, and you are a resident of CA, you must have a Class A CDL with Doubles Endorsement.
If any state desires to do so, they can pass a law that ALL resident drivers of ANY vehicle of ANY size must have a Class A CDL and a medical certificate "For safety on the highways and byways, and For The Good Of The Children!"

john&bet wrote:

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I know someone who tows a car behind his fifth wheel. However it is 4 wheels down, not much downward pressure on the hitch of the fifth wheel like you would have with a tow dolly.

He also drives commercial trucks for a large company, and already has the license to tow two trailers, and a current medical certificate. Two problems though. One is that it takes a mile to make a u-turn. Also his wife can not drive because she does not have a commercial license or medical certificate.

Fred.

A CDL and medical card are not needed to drive an RV of any size per federal standards.

John, some posters don't deal in facts, just off the cuff remarks with no source. Agree, a CDL is NOT an RV drivers license. There is only one state that may have tied a CDL to large, non commercial vehicles and not to many folks actually RV in that state......:B

Golden_HVAC wrote:
I know someone who tows a car behind his fifth wheel. However it is 4 wheels down, not much downward pressure on the hitch of the fifth wheel like you would have with a tow dolly.

He also drives commercial trucks for a large company, and already has the license to tow two trailers, and a current medical certificate. Two problems though. One is that it takes a mile to make a u-turn. Also his wife can not drive because she does not have a commercial license or medical certificate.

Fred.

A CDL and medical card are not needed to drive an RV of any size per federal standards.

Don't forget that the hitch in the truck will need to be rated to cover all the weight towed including the car. Also the truck will need to be rated for the extra weight. Some 5th's pin boxes are also not heavy enough to cover the extra weight. Just food for thought.

mowermech wrote:
So, as many have repeatedly said, do NOT rely on any "list of towing laws" that can be found on the internet. They are more likely to be wrong than right!

X1000 x infinity and beyond. ;)

mowermech wrote:

jrwhited wrote:
in Pa. it is legal, but neither trailer can be over 28' in length

This site says NO for PA.
http://towingworld.com/towinglawsbystate.cfm?state2=PA

This site says YES for PA, but both trailers must be 28 1/2 feet long or less
http://www.onlinetowingguide.com/towing_laws.html

So, as many have repeatedly said, do NOT rely on any "list of towing laws" that can be found on the internet. They are more likely to be wrong than right!

Took me awhile to find/read the PA statute - Here's the link, and here's the applicable language

PA wrote:
Ch.49.4923B(b.1) Combinations.--

(2) For a double trailer, the length of each trailer being towed in
combination by a truck tractor shall not exceed 28 1/2 feet.
(3) The overall length of the combination of a truck tractor with a
conventional fifth wheel and an auto or boat transporter shall not exceed
65 feet, exclusive of an overhang of not more than three feet on the front
and four feet on the rear of the combination.