Carrying a 500 lb motorcycle on the back of a Solitude 5er

[klr650goldwing]

Has anyone carried a 500 lb motorcycle on the back of a Solitude 5th wheel? Did you reinforce the receiver hitch on the trailer? Any negative pin weight consequences? Please tell me about the pros and cons of doing such a thing.

[Bird_Freak]

ford truck guy wrote:
well Eddie, If you can supply something to show that.... I only was able to quote the above because that is all I found...

I did find some online chats from several forums that state if the 1st trailer is a Fifth Wheel or Goose Neck and UNDER 28', you can double tow... BUT, that came from just another forum with nothing to back it up...

Best for someone wanting to do so to call the states DMV and find out for sure

look it up on the Ga dot website. Its there. I was told about it by Ga State patrol.

[ford_truck_guy]

well Eddie, If you can supply something to show that.... I only was able to quote the above because that is all I found...

I did find some online chats from several forums that state if the 1st trailer is a Fifth Wheel or Goose Neck and UNDER 28', you can double tow... BUT, that came from just another forum with nothing to back it up...

Best for someone wanting to do so to call the states DMV and find out for sure

[Bird_Freak]

ford truck guy wrote:
Ron, that is considered "double tow" and I know that anywhere in the EAST that is NOT permitted..

Quote - "In general, you'll find that every state along the Atlantic Coast bans double towing except for Maryland. Hawaii, Washington and Oregon also make it illegal to double tow"

That's why folks look for the swivel wheel trailer.... That is NOT considered a double tow. I believe ?? Someone here will correct me if I am wrong.....

Here - Swivel Wheel by Cruiser Lift

On edit, It LOOKS like it will depend on how you want to interpret the local state laws -

quote -"A frequent question asked is if the Swivelwheel system is legal to tow in all states. There are basically 22 states that do not allow double trailer towing, some of them call it triple towing. We consider the system an extension of the Fifth wheel or motor home. (Not a Trailer).

Although we do not agree, The State of New York has decided to re-class our swivelwheel system therefore, it could fall under the double/triple towing law.

A trailer is classified by a ball mount, our Swivelwheel system does not utilize a ball mount. There are other classifications but the Swivelwheel just does not meet them. For more information please call our toll free # 1-866-794-8357 or Email: info@cruiserlift.com.

This is false information for Georgia. You can double tow as long as the first trailer is a fifth wheel hitch. You cannot pull behind a ball mount.

[Fisher_Bill]

I've looked into this also and in searching I found a bunch of these photos and they were just bicycle racks;

[4x4ord]

^^^Thanks, it often draws attention when I use it.

[Cummins12V98]

Still impressed with your lift!!!

[4x4ord]

I have an enclosed aluminum trailer that I've pulled behind my fiver several times. I also built a motorcycle lift for carrying my bike on the back. I think the trailer is safer ... a little less convenient and in some cases illegal. Loading too much weight behind the axle of a fiver causes the trailer to be more prone to sway. My bike is about 800 lbs and the lift and hitch probably another 200 or so pounds.

[Cummins12V98]

"As with anytime, if you are stretching the law, you need to have a plan, which also includes being prepared to PAY the consequences!"


In 2016 when I purchased my first road bike I was in SoCal. I paid $500 to transport it to WA that Spring. Then when heading South that fall from WA I paid $500 to ship it back South. Seeing how expensive this would become over time I purchased my Kendon and have double towed both ways twice a year since then. This trip South will be my 5th year double towing the West placing $5,000 in my pocket minus the Kendon and its insurance and licensing every year.

As you say Jerry I have a plan and I am ready to pay if needed. But so far not one time have I ever been given a second look. I do tow at the posted limit and stay in the right lanes.

I consider this a risk reward system. Fingers crossed!!!

[MFL]

^ Thanks Joe, and yes, over the years, I've paid a few tolls, when crossing that bridge. Just life experiences!

[ford_truck_guy]

MFL wrote:
No question, a TH is the best way to haul toys!!

The OP has a nice FW, that he's not likely to change out. The OP is in Minnesota, lots of double towing, all over the midwest!

As with anytime, if you are stretching the law, you need to have a plan, which also includes being prepared to PAY the consequences! I stretch, kinda make my own rules sometimes, too many to mention, but I figure when I encounter that one grumpy old cop, OK YOU GOT ME, do what ya gotta do.

You say, "what if we were all like that"?? Well thankfully we aren't! 🙂

Jerry

Jerry, the Rebel ! ! ! :B

[MFL]

No question, a TH is the best way to haul toys!!

The OP has a nice FW, that he's not likely to change out. The OP is in Minnesota, lots of double towing, all over the midwest!

As with anytime, if you are stretching the law, you need to have a plan, which also includes being prepared to PAY the consequences! I stretch, kinda make my own rules sometimes, too many to mention, but I figure when I encounter that one grumpy old cop, OK YOU GOT ME, do what ya gotta do.

You say, "what if we were all like that"?? Well thankfully we aren't! 🙂

Jerry

[ford_truck_guy]

fj12ryder wrote:
FWIW, I traveled through, and stayed in, several eastern states including Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Georgia pulling a Smart Trailer, which is a swivelwheel-type trailer. I was never given so much as a second glance in any of those states, or any others AFATG. Of course, YMMV.

I moved to using a toyhauler about 10 years ago, and haven't looked back.

I agree, and FWIW, I would also not hesitate BUT . . . There is always that 1 super cop that needs to show his intelligence of the law. . . I had one of those a few years back while towing my fiver around DC...

[fj12ryder]

FWIW, I traveled through, and stayed in, several eastern states including Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Georgia pulling a Smart Trailer, which is a swivelwheel-type trailer. I was never given so much as a second glance in any of those states, or any others AFATG. Of course, YMMV.

I moved to using a toyhauler about 10 years ago, and haven't looked back.

[ford_truck_guy]

Ron, that is considered "double tow" and I know that anywhere in the EAST that is NOT permitted..

Quote - "In general, you'll find that every state along the Atlantic Coast bans double towing except for Maryland. Hawaii, Washington and Oregon also make it illegal to double tow"

That's why folks look for the swivel wheel trailer.... That is NOT considered a double tow. I believe ?? Someone here will correct me if I am wrong.....

Here - Swivel Wheel by Cruiser Lift

On edit, It LOOKS like it will depend on how you want to interpret the local state laws -

quote -"A frequent question asked is if the Swivelwheel system is legal to tow in all states. There are basically 22 states that do not allow double trailer towing, some of them call it triple towing. We consider the system an extension of the Fifth wheel or motor home. (Not a Trailer).

Although we do not agree, The State of New York has decided to re-class our swivelwheel system therefore, it could fall under the double/triple towing law.

A trailer is classified by a ball mount, our Swivelwheel system does not utilize a ball mount. There are other classifications but the Swivelwheel just does not meet them. For more information please call our toll free # 1-866-794-8357 or Email: info@cruiserlift.com.