Cross country tandem Towing

mkirsch wrote:

jerryjay11 wrote:
Okay folks. As I stated I am aware of where it is legal or not. As for Delaware, not concerned as I live near the state line. I am asking for issues that some of you have mentioned and appreciate your thoughts. I remember a few years back watching several P/U trucks pulling a TT and a bass boat behind the TT down Route 40. Just got me to thinking.

Legal issues are the most likely issues you will encounter. What other answers were you expecting?

If you think you can sneak it through, go for it.

Only two issues I was looking for was the safety issue and law enforcement issues. Those have been answered to my satisfaction. Thanks!

Anyone looking for a TR21 bass boat?

mkirsch wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I am licensed SD so maybe that has helped.

How would a law officer know that by looking at your rig chugging by at 70MPH?

For one I drive the posted speed when double towing. For two I have had several officers slowly drive by me with zero issue.

Bottom line I am going to keep on double towing in WA and OR. I understand I am taking a chance no different than when people decide to speed its all about risk n reward.

So far I am $3,000 ahead in Motorcycle transport costs. Paid off my MC trailer and still $1,150 ahead.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Several time there were LEO near the rest stop before the turn, and as you might guess, drop the second rig in the rest stop, pay the fine"

Do you know for a fact they were ticketed?

well what I saw was:

as rig come by LEO pulls out and lights come just before rest stop. we happened to be not far behind the LEO and were also stopping in the rest stop.

LEO then talking to driver in rest stop

another LEO in the rest stop as another driver is unhooking and dropping second rig. and another boat by itself in the rest stop.

Did they get a ticket? can't say but it looked like they couldn't leave till they dropped the second rig.

And then in Oregon they would have no more than 8 hours to pick up the second rig, limit on how long one can be parked in a rest stop.

It's been near the Idaho border where I've seen occasional doubles on the road. Haven't seen any on I-5 or further west. So can't say to what level a LEO would do anything in other parts of the state.

I pulled my 16' aluminum boat behind my 5th wheel for 12 years in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas and mostly in Louisiana without a problem. I had my insurance agent over for coffee to talk about the insurance policies I have with him. When I told him that I double towed he told me he would have to check on that. He called the next day to tell me that I wouldn't be insured if I double towed. I stopped in 2013. I still see it being done down here all the time. The few times I need my boat, I get my wife to tow the boat with her car or I drive back home and get it.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I am licensed SD so maybe that has helped.

How would a law officer know that by looking at your rig chugging by at 70MPH?

jerryjay11 wrote:
Okay folks. As I stated I am aware of where it is legal or not. As for Delaware, not concerned as I live near the state line. I am asking for issues that some of you have mentioned and appreciate your thoughts. I remember a few years back watching several P/U trucks pulling a TT and a bass boat behind the TT down Route 40. Just got me to thinking.

Legal issues are the most likely issues you will encounter. What other answers were you expecting?

If you think you can sneak it through, go for it.

"Several time there were LEO near the rest stop before the turn, and as you might guess, drop the second rig in the rest stop, pay the fine"

Do you know for a fact they were ticketed?

One last thing to consider. In some areas on certain roads, they may may have a zero tolerance policy which forces you to unhook the violating unit and come back for it. But, unless you have another vehicle there to take that trailer, they call for an impound tow and that really can mess up your day.

Should you try for safety and some closed eyes you MUST have brakes on the 2nd tow, if not then park and pay ticket. Most I have seen parked DID NOT have brakes on the boat trailer. Might get ticket and let go due to the safety of others, you put ahead of pleasure.

NOT an endorcement just a comment. Safe ravels

carringb wrote:


It's pretty much impossible to get cross country like this. None of the midwest states allow it unrestricted. Michigan requires an endorsement. Most only allow it with a 5th wheel, the rest have short length limits. Only when you hit Wyoming/Utah will you be in the clear. Until Oregon, as mentioned. Can't do it in OR/WA, so you'd have to leave the boat in Boise or Ontario (which is in Oregon, but the local PD won't bother out of staters with doubles that close to Idaho).

Actually South Dakota is ok with it. I have seen many TTs with boats, but I personally would not want pull a trailer with a bumper pull. I pulled doubles for 17 years here commercially.