Cross country tandem Towing

[jerryjay11]

I am contemplating a cross-country move in 2019 as a one time trip. I would be towing a TT with a 21 foot bass tournament boat behind the TT.

I am familiar with states that allow tandem towing and some of the restrictions (lengths, certification, weight, etc.) for those states. Still I have heard of folks that have been doing it for years and those are who I am asking this question.

Have any of you folks had any difficulties, legalwise with your travels cross country while tandem towing?

Any recommendations or advice, other than tow equipment, to go about this?

My route would be from Delaware to Oregon as final destination for just this one trip.

Thanks in advance.

[Cummins12V98]

old guy wrote:
I know Oregon does not allow it but I have seen units from Idaho, which does allow it, drive through Oregon on the freeways

I have made the trip SoCal to NW WA and back two times, 4 separate trips with no problem going thru OR and WA. I am licensed SD so maybe that has helped.

Towing a TT VS 5er is a completely different animal, not legal in many more places.

Leaving WA a few days ago.

[BB_TX]

A gamble. You will likely be able to make the entire trip without any issue. BUT. You may also be unlucky and get stopped along the way and have to drop the boat, tow the travel trailer farther down the road, go back for the boat, go forward and hook the TT back up, and proceed hoping it doesn't happen again. Or really unlucky, may happen multiple times. I would avoid heavy travel times when traffic enforcement patrols are more likely. Have never double towed. But we have driven for hours at a time and never see an LEO. And other times seems there is one every few miles.

[dblr]

To start with it is illegal in your home state, but rarely enforced. Only state in the east coast where it is legal is Md.

[ktmrfs]

old guy wrote:
I know Oregon does not allow it but I have seen units from Idaho, which does allow it, drive through Oregon on the freeways

I've seen a few on oregon freeways, but at least in eastern oregon I've seen my share of folks at a rest stop with OSP behind them. Usually near the Idaho or Washington border. And when I've seen that, the nearest rest stop seems to have a few boats parked and locked up.

Hum...... In oregon if you do get caught it's a ticket and I believe they require you to drop before you can move. I suspect the set up stings near a rest stop.

And even if you could more than likely you'd be over the oregon length limit as well.

[Lwiddis]

I too have seen illegal double towing, old guy. Follow each state’s laws when in the state. Be a good, law abideing guest.

[guidry]

These reasons are why I got a TC for when I’m pulling my bass boat. I leave my 5th wheel at home and use the TC. But, I’ve got a 3500 so I can do both. Good luck

[old_guy]

I know Oregon does not allow it but I have seen units from Idaho, which does allow it, drive through Oregon on the freeways

[carringb]

jerryjay11 wrote:

Any recommendations or advice, other than tow equipment, to go about this?

My route would be from Delaware to Oregon as final destination for just this one trip.

Thanks in advance.

It's pretty much impossible to get cross country like this. None of the midwest states allow it unrestricted. Michigan requires an endorsement. Most only allow it with a 5th wheel, the rest have short length limits. Only when you hit Wyoming/Utah will you be in the clear. Until Oregon, as mentioned. Can't do it in OR/WA, so you'd have to leave the boat in Boise or Ontario (which is in Oregon, but the local PD won't bother out of staters with doubles that close to Idaho).

[donn0128]

Not worth the hassle. Look at something like the Eide boat loader or get a rack that will put the boat and trailer over the bed of your pickup.

[drsteve]

My understanding is most states require that the front trailer be a fifth wheel.

[azdryheat]

In AZ the front trailer must be a 5th wheel. Similar in other states.

[enblethen]

OR does not allow it. You may end up dropping a trailer.