Forum Discussion

Jonny8491's avatar
Jonny8491
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014

Double Towing with my rig (pics updated 5-13-2014)

Do any of you have pictures of the towing hitch on your 5th?

Mine is welded to the frame at 2 seperate locations, with triangle supports welded on either side. I am hoping to figure out if this is beefy enough to haul my 18ft fiberglass boat(3500lbs).



also,
this is my set up, any concerns would be appreiciated.
2012 2500HD Chevy standard box 6.0L gas...6500lbs....20ft long
2004 Dutchman 24G-M5.....7300lbs....tip to tip 29ft long
2004 618T Ranger...3500lbs....22' length with trailer
20K curt hitch

GCWR of the truck is 20,500lbs
GVWR is 9500lbs
MN state law says 70' is ok

thanks much
Jon
  • bobx2's avatar
    bobx2
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2014
    I had my doubts as well the first couple of trips. Turns out I can't even tell my quads are back there. Had my wife follow me home out of the mountains one trip, and she said the atv trailer never even twitched back there. I have a total of 3,000 lbs. hooked onto the back of the 5th wheel. A well made, welded on hitch is a must, I think. Spread the load up the frame rails a bit, and don't just hang it off the end of the 5th wheel frame.
  • jalichty's avatar
    jalichty
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2014
    empty, we have towed a boat behind our fifth-wheels since 1993 with no troubles. You just have to remember that backing up is pretty much not available with all three items hooked up. Other than that, you just have to be aware that it's a pretty long load and you can't turn corners sharp but you see that with 18-wheelers all the time so it shouldn't be much of a learning experience. Just make sure you have a well-attached hitch so your boat doesn't fall off the FW while you are toodling down the road.
  • Jonny8491's avatar
    Jonny8491
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2014
    I was nervous at first. After towing it a few times and putting on about 500 miles it's not hard at all. the boat follows the 5er quite nicely. I'll continue to pull mine.
    Jon
  • empty_nest's avatar
    empty_nest
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2014
    I'd love to pull my bassboat behind our 5'er when we start snowbirding, but that whole thing just looks a little scary. The 5'er alone is quite a piece of equipment. I dunno....... still debating.
  • Bigfoot_affair's avatar
    Bigfoot_affair
    Nomad II
    Jul 31, 2014
    Ropdoc wrote:
    How did it feel and how did the truck do ?


    I was very surprised at just how good everything felt, the boat follows the fifth wheel perfectly. On the way home we encountered some heavy head/cross winds that I thought would cause a lot of problems, it didn't other than my fuel milage taking a dump into the low 8mpg range.

    Truck tows this set up excellent and I don't think I could be any happier with the way it performed.. Going to the lake, without the wind I averaged 11 mpg driving 65-70 mph. With the same boat and a truck camper I would get 13.5-14 mpg.
  • slomark's avatar
    slomark
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2014
    My kit is similar to yours, maybe a bit lighter, length is the same, 3,500 no issues.

  • Bigfoot_affair's avatar
    Bigfoot_affair
    Nomad II
    Jul 29, 2014
    This was my first trip out towing doubles. Drove roughly 1250 miles without any problems, although was pretty nervous at first. Total length is 64.5' and about 13k lbs.



  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Jun 17, 2014
    Golden_HVAC wrote:
    Hi,

    Most people give up on double towing once they find out about the commercial license, needing a current medical card, and also logbooks while on vacation. Many that I know who double tow also do not let their wife drive because they do not have the correct license, and do not drive trucks for a living.

    Fred.
    Never heard of anybody needing that. These aren't commercial rigs they're RVs. They fall under different rules.

    B.O.

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