pulling a toad

JeffroMax wrote:
You have a pickup, why would you want another vehicle? Out of curiosity... Just doesn't add up.

we pull our VW when we have the BF camper on the truck & would like to have it when we pull our trailer as well. I have been pulling Doubles for 40 years so this set up would not bother me but was not sure if it was allowed in states that do double towing.

You have a pickup, why would you want another vehicle? Out of curiosity... Just doesn't add up.

Four down creates a problem I believe. Remember the 5th wheel swings much further out than a standard tow vehicle because of where the axles set, even further than an over the road truck. I don't think a 4 down toad could track that fast.

The other issues is the 2nd tow creates a huge side stress when turning in town, because it is trying to track behind your 5er at extreme angles, and it's pretty hard on your spring hangers and trailer suspension. A steering axle would take a lot more "pull" to turn the wheels than a regular trailer would require.

I won't try to analyze what happen to this guy, but the story goes he didn't get very far 4 down behind his 5er.

Depending on what route you take leaving Alaska if you come down the coast your first two problems will be Washington and Oregon. Neither allow double towing.

Jim

I've towed motorcycles behind a 5th wheel on a SmartTrailer in states that don't allow double towing and have never been stopped. But IMO pulling a car behind a 5th wheel in states that don't allow double tows will make it more likely you'll be pulled over and checked out. JMO of course.

Wadcutter wrote:
People - read your state statutes before replying. It's obvious from a couple of responses the people don't have a clue what they're talking about.
It doesn't matter if a person stays on the interstate. "Having no personal experience" is obvious. State laws control traffic movement and laws even on the interstates. Think about it. What's the speed limit on the interstate? It varies by state because the individual states set the laws.
In IL double towing a car behind a 5er is an illegal combination. The only thing that can be towed behind a 5er is a boat, ATV, personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
Here's IL's applicable statute. See how easy it is to look up the statute and quote the applicable section instead of guessing and giving wrong info?

625 ILCS 5/15-107(a)(2)(c)(5)
(D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle, personal watercraft, or motorcycle.

How about a jeep on a tow dolly? ;)

Seriously - good idea to look up the laws.

(double tap)

People - read your state statutes before replying. It's obvious from a couple of responses the people don't have a clue what they're talking about.
It's going to vary from state to state. Some states it will be legal, other states not. All the state statutes can be found at the Library of Congress website where a person can look up the statutes for their state. Library of Congress Just remember to do a complete research and not stop with the first statute that agrees with what you want the law to say. There are often exceptions and specific statutes covering RVs.
It doesn't matter if a person stays on the interstate. "Having no personal experience" is obvious. State laws control traffic movement and laws even on the interstates. Think about it. What's the speed limit on the interstate? It varies by state because the individual states set the laws.
In IL double towing a car behind a 5er is an illegal combination. The only thing that can be towed behind a 5er is a boat, ATV, personal watercraft, or motorcycle.
Here's IL's applicable statute. See how easy it is to look up the statute and quote the applicable section instead of guessing and giving wrong info?

625 ILCS 5/15-107(a)(2)(c)(5)
(D) The third vehicle must be the lightest of the 3 vehicles and be a trailer or semitrailer designed or used for transporting a boat, all-terrain vehicle, personal watercraft, or motorcycle.

I have no personal experience, but have seen post here stating that as long as you travel the interstate highways you are OK no matter what state you are in. That would be no comfort to me though, as I would always be looking over my shoulder.
I would be more concerned about the strength of the receiver hitch on the 5R, given the weakness of some of the frames and the weight of the toad.

far as i know the limit is on the overall length of the truck, trailer and any tow. Shouldn't matter if you're towing a boat, car (4 down, dolly, trailer) or whatever. I think most states have a 65' overall limit, but some are higher. As mentioned, check the states you'll be towing in to make sure you'd be within their limits and laws.