I'm fully aware that double towing in VA is illegal. I know that when stopped the LEO will make you leave one trailer and continue on without it. I'm wondering if that's the only consequence. Does anyone know if you are ticketed, fined, is it considered a moving violation or an equipment violation, etc?I really don't want to call and ask the DOT because I don't want to remind them to look out for this.My truck camper isn't getting any bigger but my family is. In order to gain room and still be able to tow the boat I started looking at Class C MHs. They sure do cost a lot more than a nice FW trailer. I've already got a diesel dually so I know I could pull the FW and the boat. I see people regularly doing this in VA so I figure likely I could get away with it. My travels are typically only to various lakes and back. A lot of that is on highways, not interstates. I figure I'd be less likely to encounter a DOT officer.I do have a class A CDL and drove an 18 wheeler in the past so I know my skills are up for it.I'm not one to deliberately break laws but this one sure is tempting. Especially since it's perfectly legal in 30 some other states.

Well, they won't take you out back and shoot you, so the worst you'll be out is some time and maybe some money. And if it happens then you will no longer have to wonder and worry. :) Just because someone else did it and got away with it doesn't mean that you will, but the converse is also true. I did it, but I was using a Smart Trailer behind our 5th wheel, to haul a couple of bikes. I never got stopped and spent the better part of a week in Virginia traveling up around DC.

I would just ask VA State Police. You can email them at www.vsp.state.va.us/contact.shtm.

Do it and let us know.Unless the State of Virginia imposes the death penalty, in which case we expect to hear from your survivors if there are any.;)

I heard the penalty for double towing in VA was 30 seconds of noogies followed by a stern finger pointing. But what do I know...

I would be worried about liability ,if there was an accident. You would have a problem according to the law even if its not your fault.

VA double towing penalty? | Good Sam Community

Bedlam
Moderator
May 22, 2014
I know it is illegal in WA. An out of state RVer was pulled over for towing a boat behind his fifth wheel on I-90 while heading west. The patrolman allowed him to tow his combination off the freeway and then tow one vehicle at time out of the state instead of calling a wrecker. I didn't ask the driver stopped at the gas station whether he was fined or not since he was not in the best of moods upon getting the news. Actually I didn't even have to ask what happened - I heard him spewing across the parking lot over the sound of diesel trucks...
Anson
Explorer
May 22, 2014
fj12ryder wrote:
So you've seen it happen? Could you please cite the circumstances and the resulting fine? Thanks.

You personally, not your friend the VA cop.
I have not seen it myself, I asked her the other day, she said it is illegal to do it in Virginia, she said if anyone has ?'s about it should just call the Virginia State Police, as far as being tickited it just depends on the person who pulls you over, some let you go, some give you a ticket. Im not saying you cant do it, some states allow it and some don't and in the Commonwealth of VA, it is illegal.
carringb
Explorer
May 22, 2014
jauguston wrote:
It bothers me when folks post the scare tactic that your insurance will not cover you if you do something that is illegal like double towing where it is not allowed and you are in a accident. Situations like that are the REASON you have insurance.

Normally I would agree with your, especially when that is thrown around in "over the limit" threads. Just be sure to read your exclusions carefully! Towing more than one vehicle may actually exist in your policy's listed exclusions. Also the definitions in your liability coverage likely say something along the lines of "vehicle and one towed vehicle". Maybe protect insurers against under-the-table commercial use? A personal liability umbrella might be worth considering for anyone who falls outside standard vehicle definitions.
pitch
Explorer II
May 22, 2014
Thank you again. Yes insurance will cover you. You will be dropped like a hot Potato and probably have to pay exorbitant rates for years afterwards but you will be covered.
Insurance exists to cover idiocy. My brother in law burnt down his house trying to get rid of woodchucks by using gasoline down their den entrance. Insurance covered, he did have to find another company and paid about 4 times the premium, but he was covered.
Hybridhunter
Explorer
May 21, 2014
jauguston wrote:
It bothers me when folks post the scare tactic that your insurance will not cover you if you do something that is illegal like double towing where it is not allowed and you are in a accident. Situations like that are the REASON you have insurance. You will be covered. That said they may choose to cancel you AFTER the fact but you will be covered for doing something dumb. Again that is what insurance is for. If you have a wreck and its your fault you will be covered. That is why you have insurance.

I wish this Forum had "thank a poster".
The hysteria surrounding so many discussions is silly. You are spot on, with your comments. Between the people randomly posting "facts" that are incorrect (ie: double towing (exceeding 65, heck, even using cruise control)is not legal in......, the punishment is beating, stoning, followed by beheading, etc).
Get a grip folks.
Rant over.
jauguston
Explorer
May 21, 2014
Kaydee,

Even if you found a loophole that allowed RVs under that code the part about Interstates and designated highways only would make it impractical. That qualifier applies to commercial vehicles in many states. That is why they have there terminals close to the Interstate highways. Oregon for example allows three trailers on the interstates and a short distance off of the interstates they must drop the third trailer.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
May 21, 2014
So you've seen it happen? Could you please cite the circumstances and the resulting fine? Thanks.

You personally, not your friend the VA cop.
Anson
Explorer
May 21, 2014
kaydeejay wrote:
Interesting that the VA DMV, for "Trucks, trailers and towed vehicles" Page 4, appears to allow twin trailers (not exceeding 28'6" each) on "Interstate and designated highways".
Can't see where it does NOT apply to RVs.
Also can't find any reference to penalties!
But last time I looked it was a $350 fine in Michigan. The State Police LOVE to wait for the Canadians who cross the border double towing, forcing them to leave one trailer behind AND writing the citation.
Do not do it in VA, it is Illegal and if caught it is a big fine, It really depends on who pulls you over, one of my friends is a VA cop and said don't even attempt it.
jauguston
Explorer
May 21, 2014
It bothers me when folks post the scare tactic that your insurance will not cover you if you do something that is illegal like double towing where it is not allowed and you are in a accident. Situations like that are the REASON you have insurance. You will be covered. That said they may choose to cancel you AFTER the fact but you will be covered for doing something dumb. Again that is what insurance is for. If you have a wreck and its your fault you will be covered. That is why you have insurance.
SDcampowneroper
Explorer
May 21, 2014
We double towed across a corner of astate that prohibits it . While fueling, a highway patrolman pulled up to fuel, looked our rig over. I asked 'officer do you see a problem with this? He replied yes, you are illegal in our state. I asked Are you going to do anything about it? He answered, not now. As long as you can handle it, but if there is a problem you will lose big time.
A previous poster also had this kind of response.
They may give you a pass, but watch out. if there is a problem, remember your ins. co. will have a reason to void coverage. I"ll not risk it again.