Considering upgrading in the next couple of years and trying to decide between a 5th wheel and tow a small trailer behind (ATV's/motorcycle, etc) or just to get a toyhauler.Are all 5's capable of doing this, or are there some particular brands or models that are better suited for this task that have a more robust frame, axle set-up, etc?What questions/info should I be seeking from the manufacturers?If I do choose a toyhauler, how do most people transport their toys to the play area if it's not immediately accessible to the campground, or if it's a vehicle than can't be legally driven on the roads?

The over-all length of the truck and two trailers will most likely exceed what the law requires... There are also some states that do not allow towing anything behind a 5th wheel trailer.You might want to look into the Platform Extension to a 5th wheel which is not considered a trailer but a platform usually with swival wheel or wheels on the back of it. Idaho Tote makes one of these extension platforms... The platform is attached to the rear of the trailer and does not include a trailer hitch setup.google imagesI have seen a few of these going down the Interstate...Pulling a big ole trailer with a second trailer behind that sure wouldn't be my cup of tea haha... Of course in Texas when we are sitting in a rest stop pull out just about every truck you see coming down the road is pulling something.Roy Ken

patperry2766 wrote:Considering upgrading in the next couple of years and trying to decide between a 5th wheel and tow a small trailer behind (ATV's/motorcycle, etc) or just to get a toyhauler.Are all 5's capable of doing this, or are there some particular brands or models that are better suited for this task that have a more robust frame, axle set-up, etc?What questions/info should I be seeking from the manufacturers?If I do choose a toyhauler, how do most people transport their toys to the play area if it's not immediately accessible to the campground, or if it's a vehicle than can't be legally driven on the roads?NOT ALL 5r's are equipped to tow a trailer.. Mine came with a receiver hitch that has a 300# tongue capacity, and a 3000# towing capacity.. Each manufacturer will be different, so some homework is in order..

I'm a few inches under 65 feet with a short bed truck, 29 ft fw and 14 ft tandem axle utility trailer. My FW frame is about 10 inch tall box tubing. I welded in more 3/16 wall box tube for the rear hitch. So no, they are all different.When starting out we didn't expect to be taking our toys with us and luckily we didn't buy a bigger FW and never considered a TH. When I was pulling just the FW I had been in a few bad spots where I needed to turn around quickly and with a sliding hitch it wasn't fun but it was possible. With this wagon train it's very cautious traveling.If I was to get hung up somewhere I can unload the utility trailer and pull it with one of the ATVs. It would be a real pain but it could be done. Im sure a person can find or have anything they want built so I'd need a TH with a 14 ft garage. I've looked at some huge th that couldn't haul what I have.I have street legal and non legal toys but we try to always go where we have direct access to the trails with our ATV which have orv permits. Many states recognize other state orv permits. Some states like Arizona will sell you a permit that let's you ride on the highway. Of course there is also a change in the type of insurance needed. In two years of doing this we have only tralered the ATVs to one riding area which was in NM. I don't like to park like that in unfamiliar areas but we went with others who knew the area. I have looked at and seen pictures on this site of cracked frames and broken hanger brackets on lightly built rigs. Ideally you might find an upper end rig with a factory hitch. If not then I'd look for a model with a very sturdy frame.We were going to buy a new FW but after reading opinions on here we decided to buy used and then stumbled onto an older than desired model which had little use and was very cheap. At this point I feel very lucky since it's low tech and easy to work on and lent itself well to doing this.I have met others who bought larger FW and ended up wanting to double tow. One is pulling a Jeep and is about 70 feet and another with an ATV is about 75. I asked if they had ever been stopped. They both laughed and said nope. Everybody has a different comfort level but I like to build and set things up to be legal and bullet proof. I try to always go to truck stops. (Diesel)I pre scout with Google Earth or read reviews. Try to have a few places picked out in an area in case they don't look good when pulling in. I also know how to bypass a bad choice and be able to get out and move on to my next choice. I look at Earth and see where I can drop the utility trailer when entering some places.I have a bicycle and street legal dirt bike so I can park the rig and ride out to boondocking spots. Farthest one has been 12 miles.I also carry at least one 5 gallon fuel jug. I have been in a spot where I carried 20 gallons from pump to truck because I couldn't get in. I have a small folding hand cart that I bungee the jug to.

In Indiana, if your have one of those platforms, and it has a swival wheel, it's considered a "trailer" and must be titled and licensed with lights as a utility trailer. If the tire touches the ground, it's a trailer, no matter how it's connected to the vehicle. That's just the way it is in Indiana.No, not all 5ers are capable of pulling an additional trailer.If you are considering a Toy Hualer, I think that is your better choice. Although in Indiana, I see a lot of "double tows". In Indiana, you can tow a trailer behind a trailer too. (That catches my eye when I see that. It just looks very strange). The first trailer can be a travel trailer or a 5er. I know, Indiana is a bit different in their laws.But where they get you, is the total length. And that stops a lot of "double towing" even with 5er's.

Not allowed in NY. I once saw a guy with a TC, horse trailer and a boat trailer! Oh yea, Texas plates.He must have gone up the Mississippi to Canada. Around the Great Lakes to Niagara Falls. Was stopped at the Grand Island tolls. I saw the boat tealer later, but don't know how he got everything back to Texas.

Can all 5th wheels double tow? | Good Sam Community

ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
May 07, 2018
patperry2766 wrote:
Considering upgrading in the next couple of years and trying to decide between a 5th wheel and tow a small trailer behind (ATV's/motorcycle, etc) or just to get a toyhauler.

Are all 5's capable of doing this, or are there some particular brands or models that are better suited for this task that have a more robust frame, axle set-up, etc?

What questions/info should I be seeking from the manufacturers?

If I do choose a toyhauler, how do most people transport their toys to the play area if it's not immediately accessible to the campground, or if it's a vehicle than can't be legally driven on the roads?

Check the towing regulations in the states where you wish to tow!

and....

Visit the *Toy Hauler* forum (here) and ask about your other concerns..:W

~
azrving
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
lee worsdell wrote:
Had a buddy had to take all back roads to florida this winter. State trooper told him he was not allowed on any toll roads.

He was headed to Florida and didn't realize that Florida doesn't allow it?
patperry2766
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2018
lee worsdell wrote:
Had a buddy had to take all back roads to florida this winter. State trooper told him he was not allowed on any toll roads.

Did he by chance happen to say which specific state this was in reference to?
lee_worsdell
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
Had a buddy had to take all back roads to florida this winter. State trooper told him he was not allowed on any toll roads.
laknox
Nomad
Apr 25, 2018
patperry2766 wrote:
Are there any brands that would be better than others?

Should I just inquire to the corporate office of each manufacturer that I'm interested in?

I know a lot of people speak relatively highly of Artic Fox, but they aren't carried locally

The Jayco Eagle lines all have a factory hitch as an option, I believe.

Lyle
azrving
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
"What are the rules/regs for instance of non-licensed drivers on the trails and passes of places like Colorado? "

You need to go to the website of the states you want to ride in. All the rules are there. What states do you plan on riding in other than Co.

This Link may be helpful.
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 25, 2018
I think some places are more lenient than others, as to ENFORCING the rules/regs. In areas I've been, I've often ridden unlicensed bikes on roadways to get where I am going. If not causing trouble/hindering traffic, etc, you may not be bothered. Underage son may not be best choice on public roadways. If having to go any distance on pavement, it is easier on the off-road tires to trailer them. I choose to double tow, rather than toy hauler, since I only do this a couple times a year. If hauling toys all the time, a TH may be your best option.

Jerry
patperry2766
Explorer II
Apr 25, 2018
joebedford wrote:
Just get a toy hauler.

What TV you going to use?

I was planning on using my F-150, shouldn't that work?

Kidding. Depending on if I go this way, minimum F-350 don't know yet is SRW or DRW.

Then this begs the question of how do I transport the toys to the sandbox if I can't or choose not to camp near a specific area and they aren't street legal? I very well can't have my underage son riding a ATV or a dirt bike on a public road.

What are the rules/regs for instance of non-licensed drivers on the trails and passes of places like Colorado?
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Apr 25, 2018
Cummins12V98 wrote:
No way will I ever give up the BIG back window in a RV.

^^^^ X2... Got my first one now, and IT WON'T BE MY LAST !
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2018
No way will I ever give up the BIG back window in a RV.