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SDcampowneroper's avatar
Oct 19, 2016

Double towing laws Not so Simple!

In my research about double towing (truck+ 5er+ ball trailer) do your research! Do not accept the 'guides ' as accurate.
Every google,search site I visited stated Wisconsin total length rules at 60', no double towing. Except with special permit.
WRONG
Wi. accepts up to 65' when the first towed unit is a 5th or goose neck RV, the second trailer of lighter weight than the first, also a recreational carrying unit unless it is unloaded, thus not carrying a recreational device or unit designed to operate separately from the trailer except for livestock.
If the second towed unit is not carrying an additional load, say like a pig roaster or a firewood processor, then under the law it is considered unloaded.
,
The next caveat is that the third unit (second ) trailer is exempt from state load and weight rules under 'drive away' rules established by the fed. dot. when it is a newly purchased unit being transported from point of sale . to point of use or sale on fed. highways. State and local rules apply on their roads.
Drive away rules apply to purchaser or commercial transporter.
Wisconsin has reciprocity with many other states whose rules may be more lenient or stringent. Educate yourself on those states you may cross and be prepared to defend your actions. Our LEOs are good guys, but they cannot know all the rules of the road.
Wisconsin 348:08 sec. i- j

15 Replies

  • My favorite combo are the 40+ft class A pushers towing a 24+ft HD pickup, bed loaded with toys, and the pickup is towing jetskis or boat.

    See them all summer long, along the lake here in Michigan. I've never seen one pulled over.
  • I don't know for sure, because I don't think I would ever want to do it, but I have been told it is not legal anywhere east of the Mississippi.However have a friend that towed his 38 - 40' 5th, with a 12' utility trailer with 4 bikes and 4 kayaks from Jersey to Chincoteague and back without getting stopped and with no problems at all.
    I guess the locals need to know what the laws are or he got LUCKY.
  • We came across this setup with FW and boat trailer in Utah while stopping for gas and a Subway. Chatted briefly with the owners. Overall length was 81'. They claimed it tows great. We got back out on the interstate, doing the usual sharing the road with 18 wheelers and doing 65 mph when they came FLYING past everyone probably at around 80 mph. Okay so posted limit is 80, but I wonder what would happen if they had to suddenly hit the brakes or swerve to avoid a collision.

    The photo isn't that great and doesn't give a very good sense of how long it was. In person, 81' long is just humongous.

    Is Utah that different compared to other states that it would allow 81' and going that speed?

  • Every state in the US (and I imagine every province in Canada) has different laws about lots of things. Folks who want to know about anything as complex and out-of-the-ordinary such as double towing would be well advised to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles of each state/province they wish to visit, either via the 'net or via telephone and find out what that state/province has on the books, with references to the applicable laws.

    There isn't a single one of those states/provinces that will accept "well, I didn't know" as a reason not to fine/jail your tushy.
  • While I don't know the specifics, I too have seen discrepancies here in Canada that give me reason to ask questions.

    For example, this year's road trip to British Columbia, upon entry or shortly there after there was a huge white sign with brown lettering that used pictorial information that stated non Comercial gvw less than 5500kg no triples... a point of reference, here in Canada a PDL is required for vehicles and trailers over 5500kg gvw. My trucks registered gvw is 6640kg and my 5th is also near 6000kg..I have the PDL and Comercial plates on the truck ...which gives me reason to question what I've seen online and in the guides.

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