Pulling Two Trailers

Thanks guys for the input.

Bottom line it comes down to common sense. if its legal in your state then use common sense, don't put a larger heavier trailer behind another one. Put the heavier one in front/behind your tow vehicle, Don't exceed overall length laws, have brakes if required, have the appropriate licensing, Make sure you have enough truck and drive with common sense! Don't commit to pulling in to an area you might not be able to turn around in.
Use a MAP! Plan you trip ahead of time! (Might need to actually go for a ride)!

Also,, the use of a WD hitch is for the tow vehicle and you should never use one behind your trailer because it doesn't work that way!

Double towing can be done if legal, Many people do it in my state and I also do it! I have a TT not 5th wheel and it works just fine. I fish with a friend that has a 5er and he tows a really nice Pontoon/Patio boat behind his 5th wheel. We use the patio boat as the "Mother ship" and can tie up to it and relax and party with them!!

Many TT frames are barely able to support the UVW as it leaves the factory let alone the weight when fully loaded for camping. The additional lateral and vertical forces transferred onto the lead TT would likely end up doing some real damage to it's frame and suspension as well as the superstructure sitting on the frame. The 2nd trailer would see a LOT more vertical and lateral movement compared to normal towing of a single TT. Look in your side view mirror when towing and when you hit bumps and see how much the tail end of a TT bounces up and down. That's waaay more than the vertical movement of a ball on a TV.

Secondly, every time when towing a single TT, when it bounces up and down and swings left/right, it transfers some of the motion onto the TV. Under the circumstance of the rear of the lead trailer bouncing upwards and the tongue of the 2nd trailer also bouncing upwards (it's tail downwards), I would suspect that you could end up with some significant downward force on the ball of the TV. Same for lateral motion. I would think under the worst combination of bumps and dips in the road and/or lateral motion, the TV could end up losing control. This effect and the magnitude would depend on the spacing of dips and bumps in the road and lateral movement from steering input or wind. I would say this is the reason why the lead trailer is required to be a FW (when double towing is allowed).

Thirdly, it could very well be that a small movement in the TV could be amplified significantly in the tail of the 2nd TT or conversely for a small movement in the 2nd TT the TV could see a much amplified movement, similar to what happens when you use a bullwhip.

Lastly, trailers towed by a semi truck have an axle(s) near the front of the trailer and another axle(s) near the rear. TTs in comparison, have two axles (sometimes just one) close together approx. 2/3 the way along the length of the TT. Lateral and vertical movements are entirely different between the two.

Imagine pulling into a gas station towing 2 TTs... Even one can be a challenge.

Things in Australia are really different. Imagine a road train with 29 trailers being towed by a semi truck. I doubt they can tow 2 TTs though for the above reasons.

Wow, a lot of people are missing the mark on this one. The OP didn't ask for the legality of triple towing with a TT or even suggesting that they wanted to. They're wondering why we don't see triple combos with a TT. They already understand that it's not legal in some states.

My take on it, unless it's a pretty light tongue, most TT frames probably wouldn't be able to take the stress back there. Often times TTs aren't built with the most robust frames or quality welds. Length is also a consideration. When you add the truck, WDH, and the trailer, I'm already over 57'. I would have to put a pretty short trailer back there to stay within the 65' limit.

There's the issue of backing or turning around. That might be cakewalk for a veteran OTR trucker, such as yourself, that has years of experience pulling and backing doubles. Most aren't as skilled so it turns into a whole event and sometimes ends will a call to AAA or Good Sam. Heck, some have problems backing up the vehicle itself without anything back there.

Two pages, and Nobody has asked, What are you towing? I have seen a Jeep put *between* the TV and the Travel Trailer, so if you are, say, going to the dunes and wanting to bring such a toy, I'd go that way. It would probably also work for a sand rail. That four wheeler in the middle would probably make for a more stable tow.

If you are pulling a boat behind your TT, Then yeah, have a proper receiver installed. Rear bumpers on most trailers and 5ers are pretty much glorified tin foil.

Cheers!

~DJ~ wrote:
Lots of misinformation floating around in here. Only 4 states have the 5th wheel requirement and one is NOT CA. No double towing in WA, OR and most eastern seaboard states.

Towing Laws

PA allows two trailers if, they are pulled by a truck tractor.
Pennsylvania vehicle code, Title 75, section 4904.

Check states laws. Lots of variations. From what I've found, most western states allow it except OR and WA, but once you get east of the mountain states, then its a no-go.

Most trailer MFGs do not allow putting a hitch on the back. Northwood's chassis allow it, and even offer it as a factory option. I would not trust most Keystone frame for double towing. Their chassis seem often seem marginal as-is.

My trailer still pulls great with a 2nd trailer, however I'm 75' overall and have gotten myself in places the whole combo would not fit, and had to back up nearly a quarter mile. Backing doubles isn't exactly fun. I have an array of LED backing lights on my TT, which is absolutely necessary when backing doubles in the dark.

here in Manitoba we must use a 5th as the first in line and we have a maximum length rule, I've never considered leaving the province with a second trailer in tow. but I have seen the west coast both BC and WA where they have made folks drop their second trailer. Guessing there is no reciprocity regarding this rule.

link to my hitch build

I checked and Missouri does not have that 5th wheel rule either. I can double tow with a bumper pull trailer without any legal issues.

Lots of misinformation floating around in here. Only 4 states have the 5th wheel requirement and one is NOT CA. No double towing in WA, OR and most eastern seaboard states.

Towing Laws