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remaxmark's avatar
remaxmark
Explorer
May 27, 2013

New to 5th wheel with trailer idea

I am looking for some advice and verification. I have been a camper most of my life but new to the 5th wheel camping. Loving it!! Late last year we bought a 2007 Gulf Stream Mako 28.5ft. About the same time we bought a 2000 Chevy 3/4 ton truck with 6.0 motor and 410 gears, long box, and 145K miles. The couple times we pulled with it, it pulls great! I guess I have a couple questions. I also have a polaris ranger UTV, 6 x 12 trailer it fits on, a kids dirt bike, that fits on the trailer. We also have 3 Kayaks. There won't be many time we need all the toys the same weekend, but... When we do I am wondering my best options. I am first wondering if my Mako is safe to add a hitch on. I have a buddy who is very good at welding and have the hitch already off a friends who never uses it. Where do I find what my trailer is rated for? I believe my Ranger UTV weighs about 900 lbs, trailer for ranger 1200lbs, dirt bike 200 lbs. After I find out if the trailer hitch and the Mako is ok with this, I want to make sure my truck is ok. I think it is but wanted a couple opinions. For the kayaks I have seen online a front hitch added with a goal post style rack for the kayaks up front up top. Or I was thinking about adding a rack to the UTV trailer that will be pulled behind the 5th wheel. Ok... I know that is a lot but I am hoping for some advice!!!

4 Replies

  • I am first wondering if my Mako is safe to add a hitch on. I have a buddy who is very good at welding and have the hitch already off a friends who never uses it. Where do I find what my trailer is rated for? I believe my Ranger UTV weighs about 900 lbs, trailer for ranger 1200lbs, dirt bike 200 lbs. After I find out if the trailer hitch and the Mako is ok with this, I want to make sure my truck is ok. I think it is but wanted a couple opinions.

    I've added hitch receivers to all three of my 5ers. However they were custom fabed and welded to the trailers main frame rails and cross members. Pulled a 3400 lb bass boat for several years behind a 26' 5th wheel trailer with a '90 2500 chevy 5.7 215 hp/300 ft lbs engine and 4.10 gears. No issues.
    Trailers don't have a rating to pull another trailer as in a double tow. All three of my trailers were out of warranty so myself and the fab shop looked at the trailers frames rails/cross members/out riggers/pin box mount and decided the trailers frame construction was ok for pulling another trailer.

    I would add a rack to the second trailer for the kayaks. Gets them out of the wind.
  • It is legal in Michigan as long as its no longer then 55 complete ft.
  • i seem to remember someone saying that double towing in Michigan is illegal. i could be wrong but it is in many states.

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