I posted this image as a joke a few days ago, but it got me to thinking more seriously. If I wanted a fifth wheel layout, but I also wanted to keep my truck bed, this towing configuration could be a solution. What are the pros and cons? Besides freeing up your truck bed it would also significantly reduce the hitch weight because you have an extra set of tires supporting a lot of the hitch weight. You would have some extra cost in the hitch setup and tire usage; that's a con. Is there a stability pro/con or a cornering pro/con? This may not be as crazy as it first looks.

Is it legal in Texas? Other states where you travel?

One problem I see with it may be that's it's a challenge to back up.

But why? You can get a fifth wheel layout in a regular TT and it does away with the stairs.

ScottG wrote:One problem I see with it may be that's it's a challenge to back up.It may be more difficult but certainly not a challenge. There is still only one pivot point. The connection between the truck and dolly is a solid 3 point connection.

darsben1 wrote:But why? You can get a fifth wheel layout in a regular TT and it does away with the stairs.I'm interested in full-time living and at the larger sizes the bumper-pull trailers seem to have a more limited selection of layouts. For example, I toured a fifth wheel at an RV show that had a second bedroom and above it was also a loft. It was an impressive (and large and expensive) layout. I haven't seen one of those in a bumper-pull, but maybe they are out there. Bumper-pull trailers also seem to be more limited in which ones have a W/D hookup, although I have seen a few with that feature. I think I've also seen a few fifth wheels with ceiling fans, but not bumper-pull trailers (except a few park models which is bigger than I want).

Has Anyone Used This Configuration? | Good Sam Community

Veebyes
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2017
I think UPS is missing one of their dollys. Seen the way those things wobble & weave down the highway. Put it & a trailer behind a lightweight SUV? How about NO!!!!
FfTravelinman
Explorer
Oct 20, 2017
Just FYI that is a Ford Excursion. A 3/4 truck.
Michelle_S
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2017
I think I'll look into one so we can tow our 43' 5er to Florida with our Malibu and sell the Dually to cover the cost of the Dolly.
laknox
Nomad
Sep 19, 2017
Bird Freak wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
Bird Freak wrote:
This is the same set up used on tractor trailers pulling doubles for years. I don't like it on campers because it removes all weight from drive axle.

Well not entirely true, this device is an extension the TV frame, while some of the doubles/triples use that type most use a pintel connected tow dolly, which makes it nearly impossible to back up.
How is this an extension of the frame when it hooks to a hitch ball? I am very aware of the pintle hook as I pulled them when I had my rig. Other than one having a hook and the other a ball hitch they are basically the same set up.

These dollies do NOT hook to a ball hitch. They use the normal center receiver of the truck's hitch to slide in a male tube. Some use chain attachments to the frame and some actually have 2 other receiver tubes attached to the frame rails on the truck. Either way, you have 3 attachment points that are NOT ball "hitches". Also, most of the dollies I've seen could either be configured for a GN or FW attachment.

Lyle
laknox
Nomad
Sep 19, 2017
newman fulltimer wrote:
i know somebody had one took it back as he teied everything they came up with. His problem was on any incline as a on ramp he would loose traction and they could not remedy it .He even tried diff trucks

The one I saw had the hitch point ahead of the dolly axle, so was loading the truck's suspension. The attachment to the truck "flexed" vertically, so there was no loading issue on that particular dolly. Also, =behind= the triple attachment to the truck, there was a single point where the dolly could roll, as well.

Lyle
laknox
Nomad
Sep 19, 2017
Dayle1 wrote:
It adds length which is not desirable. As stated, there is only one pivot point and since it is now behind the trucks rear axle, the trailer should back like a TT. But it probably also will sway more like a TT. Another negative is now you have another item to park somewhere, you can leave it hooked to the fiver and disconnect from the truck, but then hooking up later will be a bigger problem.

Since the dolly is attached to the truck, it is not another trailer but an extension of the truck and should not be considered double towing in any state.

The guy I spoke with who had a dolly, said that his FW turned noticeably wider with the dolly than on his FW hitch, due to the fact that the hitch point swings =out= and puts the swing point further to the outside of the turn radius than if hitched traditionally.

Lyle
laknox
Nomad
Sep 19, 2017
ol Bombero-JC wrote:
DallasSteve wrote:
I posted this image as a joke a few days ago, but it got me to thinking more seriously. If I wanted a fifth wheel layout, but I also wanted to keep my truck bed, this towing configuration could be a solution. What are the pros and cons? Besides freeing up your truck bed it would also significantly reduce the hitch weight because you have an extra set of tires supporting a lot of the hitch weight. You would have some extra cost in the hitch setup and tire usage; that's a con. Is there a stability pro/con or a cornering pro/con? This may not be as crazy as it first looks.

Maybe not crazy - just dumb (polite for stupid) for all the things already mentioned.

Add to those the cost of the tow dolly - and when you realize the above (dumb/stupid) you own a boat anchor when it comes to resale.
(As well as wondering how long the mfgr(s) will remain in business)

But......whatever rings your chimes - or empties your wallet - is your choice..:W

~

I guarantee that the dolly is a whole lot cheaper than adding a pickup to tow a FW to the family "fleet". :B

Lyle
laknox
Nomad
Sep 19, 2017
azdryheat wrote:
Keep in mind this is a double trailer arrangement and not legal everywhere. In Arizona 28-1095 says that the first trailer must be a 5th wheel and be equipped with brakes. Thus the towing combination pictured would be illegal in AZ.

Actually not, since the dolly is considered an "extension" of the truck frame. Ran into a guy at Camp Verde who had one and I asked him and he said he'd talked to any number of LEOs and none of them had an issue. He was just under 65' OAL. Also, the dolly =does= have brakes. I've posted the pics I took a couple different times here. Was an Alfa Gold FW.

Lyle
Veebyes
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2017
Can't help but wonder about loss of stability with the added connection. Works OK I am sure when all is going well but what happens when the unexpected happens?
DallasSteve
Nomad
Sep 19, 2017
garyp4951 wrote:
If I'm going to add two more tires it will be a dually Truck.

But the point of this odd towing configuration is not the payload or the number of tires. It's that you have all of your truck bed (if the tow vehicle is a truck) plus a fifth wheeler.

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