Illegal Towing.... Triple Towing

While California my accept your out of state DL when towing doubles, your rig still has to meet the state length regulations.
35401. (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), a combination of vehicles coupled together, including attachments, may not exceed a total length of 65 feet.
(b) (1) A combination of vehicles coupled together, including attachments, that consists of a truck tractor, a semitrailer, and a semitrailer or trailer, may not exceed a total length of 75 feet, if the length of neither the semitrailers nor the trailer in the combination of vehicles exceeds 28 feet 6 inches.

For the 75 foot rule to apply, you need to be driving a mdt or larger. A truck with a pick up bed doesn't meet the definition of a truck tractor.

I'm basing this on over thirty years do California law enforcement experience.

California towing laws aren't very clear, easy to understand for resident. I had a DMV clerk argue with me that I didn't need and endorsement on my passenger vehicle DL to tow a fifth wheel over 10k but below 15k. I had to show her the VC section before she believed me. Very few California drivers are aware of that requirement, and the rv sales lots never seem to mention it.

~DJ~ wrote:
Triple towing AKA double towing is allowed in MOST states. The exception being WA and OR on the West Coast and most East Coast states where it is not allowed.

Only AZ, IL, MI and MN require the first trailer to be a 5er.

I am 65' long and double tow a lot in ID and MT. Especially in MT it is a common sight to see stock trailers full of cows doubled up behind a pickup.

It must be allowed in Oregon since a lot of freight companies are pulling 3 trailers.

I make sure i know the laws before i tow anywhere.

nevadanick wrote:
I am one of those that you think is illegal and get tired of people telling me i am doing something wrong when they have no clue. I am perfectly legal and safe. I deal with this nonsense from the clueless all the time. I tow 2 bumper pulls.

Just don't head for Michigan then! The first trailer must be a fiver.
The troopers sit close to the border with Ontario Canada waiting for the unsuspecting Canadians towing two bumper pulls.
One trailer gets left at the side of the road (to be collected once the tow vehicle has parked the first trailer) and the driver gets a $375 ticket.
Reciprocity does NOT apply!

That is alright Nick, just do what I do.......I tell them when they finish either law school or a standard LEO academy, to then try and lecture me on the law......Until then, take their BS elsewhere. I agree it does get old, when they have not a clue what they are talking about.

I am one of those that you think is illegal and get tired of people telling me i am doing something wrong when they have no clue. I am perfectly legal and safe. I deal with this nonsense from the clueless all the time. I tow 2 bumper pulls.

Bionic Man wrote:

~DJ~ wrote:
I have a Class A with doubles, triples, tanker, passengers and school bus complete with medical card and 40 years experience. Do not tell me I am unsafe.

In fact, when you can back up a set of doubles like this then you come talk to me.

That's impressive there. I've only tried to back up a couple times pulling tandem. Certainly something I could use more practice at.

It's easier than you think. Do it all the time at truck stops and I'm 82' long.;)

~DJ~ wrote:
I have a Class A with doubles, triples, tanker, passengers and school bus complete with medical card and 40 years experience. Do not tell me I am unsafe.

In fact, when you can back up a set of doubles like this then you come talk to me.

That's impressive there. I've only tried to back up a couple times pulling tandem. Certainly something I could use more practice at.

Double and Tripple is legal in FL with a CDL and proper endorsment. I do believe you need a permit for tripples though. And I have not seen tripples here yet, though I have seen them in CO.

In an effort to show more amazing double tows, I present exhibit A in Cabot, Arkansas. I saw this guy at the Wal Mart.....and yes, that is a GAS van/converted U-Haul pulling an older TT, probably over 7000lbs if I had to guess, plus another small enclosed trailer.

It is legal to double tow in Arkansas