towing a small boat behind travel trailer

I've doubled towed both light aluminum boats, and ATV's behind a TT for years. You really need to take the time to set things up right though as they are a little more prone to sway than a TT itself. I even found I could launch the boat with both trailers and then head to the campsite. I'd do it this way as the boat trailer was easy to move around by hand without the boat.

The warranty runs out on my current 5er next month, and when that happens I'll have a hitch added back there to tow my UTV as well. Keeping under 65 feet total length which is the requirement in my area might be tough though.

samsontdog wrote:

JoeGood988 wrote:
Dbl tow is allowed in some states but only behind a motorhome or fifth wheel...never a travel trailer. First call should be to your insurance company to see if they will cover pulling behind a travel trailer.

You can tow behind a TT in Calif

Along with Kansas Missouri Iowa and Minnesota. I checked before I towe'd my jet ski behind my TT.

Like someone said check with each state you plan on going through to get facts not opinion.

I do agree with having a good hitch to the frame NOT the bumper.

I honestly don't back up more than a few feet with both trailers attached. When I pull into a campground, I usually stop at the public parking on my way in and disconnect my watercraft trailer and push it into a parking space. After I set up my travel trailer and disconnect it from my truck, I will go back and hook up the PWC trailer to the truck and get the skis in the water. It just takes a little forethought and planning.

2gypsies wrote:
Make sure you'll never have to back up with it all connected.

I can back up. Difficult. Not impossible.

Well, i guess i'll call my insurance co for coverage and buy a small boat. I can't wait. Thanks so much guys, see you on the lake

I'll take a shot at answering your questions rather than telling you not to double tow.

I regularly double tow a pair of personal watercraft behind my 26 foot TT. It's legal in Montana, and I've never had an issue with it. I initially used a bolt-on Curt receiver hitch on my hollow bumper. I had a professional welder friend inspect the bumper and receiver hitch before I towed the watercraft the first time, and he said the bumper was on their strong. He said he would tow his own toys with the set-up, and I value his professional opinion.

After the first season of always looking back to see if the Jet Ski trailer was there, I decided to have my welder friend add 2x6 metal material to the bumper and reinforce the receiver hitch. With separate hooks and a sturdy wiring harness, I don't have any nervousness double towing.

I normally double tow less than 50 miles to a campsite in the area and keep the speeds lower than normal. Rarely do I go above 55 mph versus my usual 60-62 mph. When I move up to a diesel 3500 in the next couple years, I will probably venture out all over the state double towing. But for now, it's just a matter of convenience to bring the tows to one of the local 700 bodies of water in my county.

On both my old TT and my 5er, I added a square tube receiver to each frame rail. Depending on the frame you could weld directly to the bottom by stitch welding or weld plates to the tubing and then bolt them to the frame.

Having a tube receiver on each side I can use a expanded metal tray across the back to haul things when not pulling the 14' Jon Boat. I bolt the tray or a thick wall tubing with a plate for the ball and chain hook ups as needed to the receivers. Make sure to get it all lined up before welding in place. You want to be able to slide one off to get the other on.

Make sure you'll never have to back up with it all connected.

JoeGood988 wrote:
Dbl tow is allowed in some states but only behind a motorhome or fifth wheel...never a travel trailer. First call should be to your insurance company to see if they will cover pulling behind a travel trailer.

You can tow behind a TT in Calif

nevadanick wrote:
Check with the states your going to travel in. Its legal and safe if done properly. I towed an enclosed trailer behind my 28ft tt for several years. It works quite well. You might need an endorsment or different class drivers license though so check with your state. Most on here just believe its not legal without ever doing the legwork. Also dont rely on websites that show towing regs, you have to check with each state itself.

Ditto. Check Texas, and any states that you might travel through. Colorado allows double tow without a special endorsement in license or requiring the first trailer to be a 5er. I thought Texas was the same, but I am not sure.

And the issue of tandem towing is a hornets nest that usually brings out TONS of misinformation and fear mongering.