Towing an EMPTY tow dolly behind a Fifth Wheel east coast.

State police, or the state DMV. AFAIK, a tow dolly is a trailer, especially since it is attached to the tow vehicle by a simple hitch ball. Some states consider anything not attached at the factory as a trailer. Check with the DMV, but don't rely on that because IME, the DMV is woefully misinformed at times. But ya gotta start somewhere. :)

I would say it's a trailer and therefore not legal up the east coast. I'm in VA and have looked into double towing a lot. The DMV doesn't really know, you need to talk to Commercial Motor Vehicle Officers. I have specifically asked several in VA and they all said absolytely not in VA.

KD4UPL wrote:
I would say it's a trailer and therefore not legal up the east coast. I'm in VA and have looked into double towing a lot. The DMV doesn't really know, you need to talk to Commercial Motor Vehicle Officers. I have specifically asked several in VA and they all said absolytely not in VA.

I think the main issue is that it's likely a state trooper or cmv officer would actually do a traffic stop where a county/city/town officer/deputy would not. Most of the regs I have seen about tow dollies seems to be about when actually towing a car and not when unloaded.

Code of Virginia 46.2-1116. "Vehicles having more than one trailer, etc., attached thereto; exceptions.

Except as provided in this section and § 46.2-1117, no motor vehicle shall be driven on a highway while drawing or having attached thereto more than one motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer unless such vehicle is being operated under a special permit from the Commissioner of Highways. "

Code of Virginia 46.2-1119. "Tow dolly and converter gear.

No axle-like device, commonly called a "tow dolly," used to support the front or rear wheels of a passenger vehicle or pick-up or panel truck for towing purposes, and no axle-like device, commonly called "converter gear," on which is mounted a fifth wheel used to convert a semitrailer to a full trailer, shall be considered vehicles. Either such device, when used on the public highways, shall be equipped with a safety chain or chains of a strength to restrain the device and vehicle being towed, should the connection fail. In addition, either device, when moved on the public highway, shall be equipped with rear marker lights or reflectors when towed without a load. When a tow dolly or converter gear is used to tow a vehicle, the towed vehicle must comply with all requirements of law pertaining to towed vehicles."

Clear as mud isn't it? Looks like a "tow dolly" is not actually considered a trailer but IANAL.....

Several sites say that there is no state on the east coast that allows multiple trailers, but have seen others that say that Maryland, NC and SC allow it if under 65 foot long.

You could just tow it. Probably not legal ….. you probably won’t get stopped. If you do get pulled over you might be fined and or have to unhook the dolly.

Despite triple towing being illegal in most if not all of the states on your route, If you keep asking the question enough on these boards eventually you'll get an answer that's acceptable, so why not just roll the dice and do it? None of the folks giving you the advice will be standing on the shoulder of the road while your being jacked up.

I wouldn't try it. The old saying of when seconds count help is only minutes away is reversed in the OP's situation.
They're usually right there when we're doing something wrong. The VA State Troopers are all over I95 and I85.

Can the tow dolly be dismantled and put in the bed of the truck?

It's highly unlikely there's a State Trooper on the planet who gives a rip how much an RV weighs, whether or not the TV is off while the RV's engine is running, or what the towing configuration happens to be. If empty, my guess would be the chance of being cited would be even more remote. Be aware too, that if you tow the dolly empty, it will tow much better if you lower the tire psi and if it has a steerable axle it should be locked out. My Demco SS directs the tire pressure be about 12 psi when towing empty. It will track better and won't bounce down the road behind you like a basketball.

I also believe it is illegal in most of the east coast however the chances of actually being stopped are remote.
However if you are stopped are you prepared to leave the dolly at a moments notice? Where would you leave it? How much of a hassle will it create if you are cited? Is the risk worth the reward?

It's not illegal till you get caught. Then the dolly will be loaded on a tow truck, and held until you pay tow a storage charges.
Also a low empty dolly behind a large trailer will be practically invisible to brain dead drivers following you. An accident waiting to happen.

FWIW, I towed a swivel-wheel trailer behind our fifth wheel through and in Virginia, and never garnered a second look. But that was about 10-12 years ago. As was said, sometimes you just roll the dice and take your chances. What's life without a little gamble, now and then. :)