Double-towing and the livin's easy

[clotus]

Hey guys,

After about two years in the making, research, selecting a 5'er, obtaining the proper license (Commercial Class A combinations with double/triple endorsement), rear camera installed, and having a hitch welded on the rear of the 5'er I finally doubled towed for the first time!!! :C

Super easy, kept it 60 mph and just cruised. I could feel the boat bucking the 5'er a little more than normal, but only on real rough areas or elevation changes (like over passes).

To all the nay-sayers and weight police: I was within all of my weight limits of the vehicle, king pin, and cargo carrying capacity. Drove very well and the boat tracked right behind the 5'er. My 5'er sits a little nose high, once I get that fixed I think it will handle even better.

[fj12ryder]

^^^^^^^^^^^^Oh no, not again!! Some states may not consider the Idaho Tote a trailer because of the way it attaches. Regardless of statements by some posters, the only way to be completely sure is to check with your state's DMV. They may, or may not, judge it a trailer.

I believe that a person on the forum has gone through this with the Oregon DMV and they have stated that the Idaho Tote is not considered a separate trailer in Oregon state. What your state decides could be entirely different. YMMV.

My mistake, big time. The state was Oregon, no Washington. I will correct my mistake.

[enblethen]

They are considered trailers in Washington!

[Gregk55]

The Idaho Tote is hard bolted to the 5th wheel and is not considered a trailer but a tag. It is legal in all 48 states. You are required to move the license plate from the rv to the tote. When that is done you are legal.

[range_rider]

One thing I would recommend is a sway bar on the trailer and maybe a camera on back of fifth wheeler so you can watch the tag along.
I tow a 34 ft with a 4x8 motorcycle trailer behind it. In fact today I was in so winds that had to be around 40mph and was sure glad that I had that sway bar.

[JIMNLIN]

dwayneb236 wrote:

laknox wrote:


Ran into a guy who was short on his quota, or missed his donut fix, sounds like.

Lyle

We don't all eat donuts and we don't all have quotas. Could be he was just doing his job. Kind of like your boss expects you or expected you to do.

LOL.... yeah some think laws are made for other folks.

One of my grandson's is a LEO. After 12 years as a LEO he stopped his first vehicle pulling rv trailer while on nite duty. Mini van pulling a 30' TT was all over the road with head lites pointing at the moon. Grandson says mini van driver told him he couldn't stop a private vehicle pulling a rv.
I told my grandson the mini van driver was probably a member of a rv website where myths like that circulates.

[hotpepperkid]

enblethen wrote:
What happens when you hit a state that does not allow double towing?
I didn't know CA allowed this setup.

Simple, you stay out of places like WA OR and the East cost

[Gregk55]

My worries are behind me. 63 ft and completely legal now. Attempted to load an image of my set up not sure if I did this correctly.

[dwayneb236]

laknox wrote:


Ran into a guy who was short on his quota, or missed his donut fix, sounds like.

Lyle

We don't all eat donuts and we don't all have quotas. Could be he was just doing his job. Kind of like your boss expects you or expected you to do.

[timmac]

Oregon, Washington and I think Canada does not allow double tow..

Sell the 5th/truck and get a motorhome and a stacker trailer and put the worries behind you..


My length is only 51 foot and no special license required..

[Gregk55]

I do not think that many guys will enforce it but there are a few out there and knowing that leaves you with the worry while you are doing something that is supposed to be fun.

[2014MegaRam4x4]

Gregk55 wrote:
Beware! I received a ticket my third time out double towing two trailers 68 ft. The limit in Texas is 65. I was passing through Wichita Falls, Tx. We were on the way to Colorado towing a second trailer with a Polaris RZR. Kind of wrecked our vacation that year. He would not allow us to leave and escorted us to an RV park to decided how to handle the issue. We got up early the next am and took off. Needless to say I was nervous the rest of the way every time I saw DPS or any law enforcement. If I would have been stopped again the citation would have shown up and would have put me in a position to be impounded with a hefty fine. I would not advice towing over the limit!!

I now tow with an Idaho Tote. It is not considered double towing since it is hard bolted to the 5th wheel. It has a steering axle not the swivel wheels as I did not like the look of that. The Tote is not cheaper but at least my worries are gone.

That is my fear

[laknox]

Gregk55 wrote:
Beware! I received a ticket my third time out double towing two trailers 68 ft. The limit in Texas is 65. I was passing through Wichita Falls, Tx. We were on the way to Colorado towing a second trailer with a Polaris RZR. Kind of wrecked our vacation that year. He would not allow us to leave and escorted us to an RV park to decided how to handle the issue. We got up early the next am and took off. Needless to say I was nervous the rest of the way every time I saw DPS or any law enforcement. If I would have been stopped again the citation would have shown up and would have put me in a position to be impounded with a hefty fine. I would not advice towing over the limit!!

I now tow with an Idaho Tote. It is not considered double towing since it is hard bolted to the 5th wheel. It has a steering axle not the swivel wheels as I did not like the look of that. The Tote is not cheaper but at least my worries are gone.

Ran into a guy who was short on his quota, or missed his donut fix, sounds like.

Lyle

[cmeade]

In CA don't forget to read 34520 CA vehicle code. If you operate a vehicle or combination that requires a CDL then you must participate in a Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing program (CSAT). You would be considered an owner/operator for drug testing.

[Gregk55]

Beware! I received a ticket my third time out double towing two trailers 68 ft. The limit in Texas is 65. I was passing through Wichita Falls, Tx. We were on the way to Colorado towing a second trailer with a Polaris RZR. Kind of wrecked our vacation that year. He would not allow us to leave and escorted us to an RV park to decided how to handle the issue. We got up early the next am and took off. Needless to say I was nervous the rest of the way every time I saw DPS or any law enforcement. If I would have been stopped again the citation would have shown up and would have put me in a position to be impounded with a hefty fine. I would not advice towing over the limit!!

I now tow with an Idaho Tote. It is not considered double towing since it is hard bolted to the 5th wheel. It has a steering axle not the swivel wheels as I did not like the look of that. The Tote is not cheaper but at least my worries are gone.