What 5th wheels have strong frames for double towing?

[paul_arc]

Hello all, I am looking to change my camping set up and go with a 5th wheel camper which will double tow my flat bed trailer. I am looking for which manufactures and companies have strong frames that could handle a trailer behind it. The trailer is approx 6k lbs loaded, so not too much weight. Tongue weight is pretty minimal.

I am just not too sure what decent manufactures to start doing research on.

I would say frame strength is priority #1.
#2 would be the quality of the trailer its self.

Thanks

[Earl_E]

I can't say much about what you are trying to do but contact Northwood and ask them. I do know that there aren't many fivers with a better frame than Arctic Fox. Northwood makes their own frames: no Lipperts in the bunch. They are great to work with and will be upfront and honest with their answers.

When you look at maximum tow weight for your truck--you are going to take a mighty big truck to tow the weight of the trailer and the additional tow.

[work2much]

I guess you could start by contacting manufacturers and asking what they will warrant. That kind of added weight must place a fair amount of additional loads around the pinbox and trailer overhang, among other places. I'm guessing short of a custom made unit nobody will warranty that much weight.

[camp-n-family]

6k behind the fiver is a lot. How is the hitch weight minimal? I don't think you'll find a fiver that will handle either weight. Certainly not without major strengthening.

[NMDriver]

My Fleetwood Prowler has a I beam frame and it has a Class IV hitch welded to it. I have pulled around 3000lbs of boat for many miles. I think you will find most states require a brake on the second trailer if it is over 3500lbs or so.

I was thinking about pulling a 21ft 4400lb Travel Trailer behind the 5er but adding the extra 7 pin plug and brake controller has got me doing more research than action. Wire gauges, current draw, etc. all seem solvable but I just have not made any headway on the work part.

One more thought to consider. Will 600lbs hitch weight on the rear of the 5er frame make the 5er pin weight to light and lead to a squirrely tow.

[F-TROUP]

6K is pretty healthy behind a 5er. I pull a Yamaha Rhino on a small trailer see my profile, approximately 1900# tounge weight 150# with no issues in over 20,000 miles. Put some good brakes on the flatbed for sure.

CDL with doubles endorsement and DOT physical every other year

65' form TV front bumper to rear bumper of 2nd trailer

Brakes required on second trailer

[MFL]

Michelle.S wrote:
6K is quite a bit of weight behind a 5er. Several MFRs come with Reciever Hitches, but are generallly rated around 3K to 4K. No matter what you get, I think I would look into reinforcing the Frame in the area of the Receiver Hitch.

I agree 6K is a lot, with a minimum tongue of 600, likely closer to 800. My FW came with a solid factory frame mounted receiver, with heavy cross member. It is still only rated 300 tongue, 3K trailer. It is not just the strength of the hitch and frame, but the FW suspension is affected, as is the pin weight.

Jerry

[Michelle_S]

6K is quite a bit of weight behind a 5er. Several MFRs come with Reciever Hitches, but are generallly rated around 3K to 4K. No matter what you get, I think I would look into reinforcing the Frame in the area of the Receiver Hitch.

[paul_arc]

downtheroad wrote:
Arctic Fox (Northwood) are well known for their quality frames...
Might check them out.
Might also check out where your can and cannot double tow. Might not be permitted in some of the places you want to go.

Great, thank you. I will check out Arctic Fox. Any other manufactures come to mind?

As far as double towing legally, that wont be a problem. I will have all the necessary licenses and vehicle lengths figured out before I make a purchase.

[downtheroad]

Arctic Fox (Northwood) are well known for their quality frames...
Might check them out.
Might also check out where your can and cannot double tow. Might not be permitted in some of the places you want to go.