Towing an EMPTY tow dolly behind a Fifth Wheel east coast.

Despite triple towing being illegal in most if not all of the states on your route, If you keep asking the question enough on these boards eventually you'll get an answer that's acceptable, so why not just roll the dice and do it? None of the folks giving you the advice will be standing on the shoulder of the road while your being jacked up.

You could just tow it. Probably not legal ….. you probably won’t get stopped. If you do get pulled over you might be fined and or have to unhook the dolly.

KD4UPL wrote:
I would say it's a trailer and therefore not legal up the east coast. I'm in VA and have looked into double towing a lot. The DMV doesn't really know, you need to talk to Commercial Motor Vehicle Officers. I have specifically asked several in VA and they all said absolytely not in VA.

I think the main issue is that it's likely a state trooper or cmv officer would actually do a traffic stop where a county/city/town officer/deputy would not. Most of the regs I have seen about tow dollies seems to be about when actually towing a car and not when unloaded.

Code of Virginia 46.2-1116. "Vehicles having more than one trailer, etc., attached thereto; exceptions.

Except as provided in this section and § 46.2-1117, no motor vehicle shall be driven on a highway while drawing or having attached thereto more than one motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer unless such vehicle is being operated under a special permit from the Commissioner of Highways. "

Code of Virginia 46.2-1119. "Tow dolly and converter gear.

No axle-like device, commonly called a "tow dolly," used to support the front or rear wheels of a passenger vehicle or pick-up or panel truck for towing purposes, and no axle-like device, commonly called "converter gear," on which is mounted a fifth wheel used to convert a semitrailer to a full trailer, shall be considered vehicles. Either such device, when used on the public highways, shall be equipped with a safety chain or chains of a strength to restrain the device and vehicle being towed, should the connection fail. In addition, either device, when moved on the public highway, shall be equipped with rear marker lights or reflectors when towed without a load. When a tow dolly or converter gear is used to tow a vehicle, the towed vehicle must comply with all requirements of law pertaining to towed vehicles."

Clear as mud isn't it? Looks like a "tow dolly" is not actually considered a trailer but IANAL.....

Several sites say that there is no state on the east coast that allows multiple trailers, but have seen others that say that Maryland, NC and SC allow it if under 65 foot long.

I would say it's a trailer and therefore not legal up the east coast. I'm in VA and have looked into double towing a lot. The DMV doesn't really know, you need to talk to Commercial Motor Vehicle Officers. I have specifically asked several in VA and they all said absolytely not in VA.

State police, or the state DMV. AFAIK, a tow dolly is a trailer, especially since it is attached to the tow vehicle by a simple hitch ball. Some states consider anything not attached at the factory as a trailer. Check with the DMV, but don't rely on that because IME, the DMV is woefully misinformed at times. But ya gotta start somewhere. :)