Pulling A Train

We currently live and cruise full-time on our boat which is currently located in NW Alabama in Joe Wheeler State Park. We have been living on out boat for 20 years and are ready for a change.
Wifey wants to "settle down" By settling down, we mean, live full-time in the 5th wheel in Houston, Tx area on Galveston Bay and take two 3 -4 month 'road trips' a year with at least one of them involving water, such as Lake Powell, Lake Meade, The Great Lakes etc, The others will be to national parks. We figure we will have to drop the boat off somewhere when we do the national parks. Playing leap-frog with the boat should not be a problem. Also, the pontoon boat could end up a ski-boat instead. We want the boat for additional exploring when we find campsite for the 5th.
Anyway, that is pretty much the drift of it.

MitchF150 wrote:
Could always do something like this... ;)



Ok, might not work with a pontoon boat, but gotta admit, this is some setup!

Mitch

I was thinking about carrying a smaller/narrower boat& trailer in/on my pU toad but the limited axle width sort of killed that idea. I see this person has added ramps to set the trailer on the outside of the bed.
bumpy

2gypsies wrote:
The OP is in Alabama. None of these other states matters.

he may be going out of Alabama some time.
I don't think these laws are reciprocal.
bumpy

Could always do something like this... ;)



Ok, might not work with a pontoon boat, but gotta admit, this is some setup!

Mitch

Just do your homework. There can be a lot involved if you're not handy. I know California requires additional licensing. Any trailer you buy will have to be substantial and then reinforced for the additional loads and hitches that need to be added.

Typically this type of setup is used by people who routinely know exactly where they're going or have been there before. It's not a rig you want to go sight seeing with and check out new campgrounds, especially if you have to unhook and move the last vehicle around.

We thought about doing it with a boat, adding a winch to the rear of the trailer and just winch the boat up to the hitch.

The OP is in Alabama. None of these other states matters.

frankdamp wrote:
It's illegal in WA for recreational towing, unless you have an out-of-state licence plate and are a tourist. Triple commercial truck/trailer rigs are allowed, but only on freeways.

Minor point. In the commercial vehicle world triples are understood to be three trailers. They are certainly not allowed anywhere in WA.

Walaby wrote:

Triker33 wrote:
I use to pull a 22' TT with a 17' bass boat behind it with a Ford 150. It had a Hemi in it.

I call BS. When did FORD start using HEMI's?

NOT BS. It was a 1960 F150 old telephone truck with enclosed bed, with the Chrysler Hemi installed and a Push Button transmission. Also had a Mustang power steering unit on it.
A engine cam change with adjustable solid lifters.

It was what is called a sleeper. :B

It was in the late 70's when I pulled the 17' Ranger Bass boat that was powered with a 135 HP Evinrude with a SS 60 MPH prop.
Boat was rated for a 115 HP.

Sold the TT & boat in the early 80's and the Truck in 1999 when I retired. I still miss that Truck. :(

Tis also legal in CA, 65' overall length, not sure about 5er or BP. I believe that there are also additional driver licensing requirements.

Bionic Man wrote:
Welcome to the forum. You have stumbled onto one of the more controversial topics here - that of double tow.

I would advise you to do some specific research on your own, as you have already, and will continue to, get bad information here.

Most states allow double tow. East and West coast states are the exception. Very few have a requirement that the first trailer be a 5er (although I wouldn't tandem tow with a bumper pull). Each state sets their own length limit, although in my experience, I have never seen nor heard 1st hand experience of it actually being enforced.

I have double towed for about 15 years now. With a lighter boat, and a properly set up hitch on the back of the trailer, you are unlikely to have problems.

A few photos of mine over the years. I still tandem tow my fishing boat, but we have moved on from the ATVs, and the new ski boat is too big to tow behind the 5

My experience very similar. Been doing so with a few different configurations. From 37' toy hauler with jetskis.... To 40' traditional 5er with utility trailer and SXS/ATV.







Over length. 74' long. Limit in my state (OK) for a power unit and single towed unit is 70'. Limit for a power unit and two towed units is 65'. Go figure.

Safety is not specific to (well maintained) equipment. Safety is an act or state of being.