Hey all,I just purchased a 13' Aluminum boat and was curious if it would be possible to tow it double behind my 2010 Starcraft 176RB? The boat, trailer, and motor probably weigh less than 500 lbs, with maybe 40-50 lbs of tongue weight.I have a few questions related to trying to do this.As you can see in the picture below. The bumper is not very substantial.Is is possible to swap out to a standard 4" bumper to allow the addition of a rear hitch bracket?Or am I out in the night with the idea of trying to tow double with this trailer?

1) I seriously doubt the frame on your Starcraft is up to the load of the boat-trailer.2) The bumper is NOT strong enough, you would need to tie the receiver up into the frame.3) I'm fairly certain Utah requires that one trailer be a 5er and that it does not allow both trailers to be a bumper-tow

08trdoffroad wrote: Or am I out in the night with the idea of trying to tow double with this trailer? ^^^^^^^^^^^^This one....

The frame handles the 3500 lbs of weight of the trailer, why would it not be able to handle the added few pounds of the boat. It's not like I want to slap on a 3500 lb boat...I realize that, that is why I asked if I could swap to a standard 4" bumper, and if that isn't substantial enough I would be prepared to have the receiver installed directly to the frame.Utah allows ball to ball towing as long as the combination of vehicles does not exceed 72 ft, and the lights on the rear-most trailer must function...

I've read that no States allow "two balling" or "double balls", but I've never personally checked the law in every State. In California you can tow a bal trailer behind a 5th Wheel but not behind a Travel Trailer or other ball trailer. On our most recent camping trip we rented an F-150 to tow our boat and my wife drove the HTT behind our Expedition.

Cotay wrote:I've read that no States allow "two balling" or "double balls", but I've never personally checked the law in every State. In California you can tow a bal trailer behind a 5th Wheel but not behind a Travel Trailer or other ball trailer. On our most recent camping trip we rented an F-150 to tow our boat and my wife drove the HTT behind our Expedition.I know that both Montana and Texas allow "two ball" and think that Idaho might (?) also.

Towing Double? | Good Sam Community

Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013
PAThwacker wrote:

Warning: big box store inflatable rafts are death sentences on the Delaware river. One snag on a river, flip a canoe/kayak. Snag a raft, $hit hits the fan, 13ft deep running water.....Goodbye;)
13 non-paddler deaths since June in the Delaware River National Recreation Area.
(non paddlers: swimmers, tubers, inflatable rafts W/PLASTIC PADDLES, AND NO life jackets). Not one death in 30 years involving anyone with a life jacket properly fitted and worn.

Most drownings are attributable to that last.
"Big box store inflatables" are no more likely to lead to death than any other watercraft.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013
3LittleDucks wrote:
Interesting info, thanks for sharing the replies. We have done the canoe thing, and now use an inflatable raft (keep an air compressor in the HTT), probably not the type of experience you're looking for though!! lol

Warning: big box store inflatable rafts are death sentences on the Delaware river. One snag on a river, flip a canoe/kayak. Snag a raft, $hit hits the fan, 13ft deep running water.....Goodbye;)
13 non-paddler deaths since June in the Delaware River National Recreation Area.
(non paddlers: swimmers, tubers, inflatable rafts W/PLASTIC PADDLES, AND NO life jackets). Not one death in 30 years involving anyone with a life jacket properly fitted and worn.
bikendan
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013
the Starcraft's frame manufacturer would have been the one to ask, not Starcraft.
Starcraft doesn't warranty the frame, the frame manufacturer does.

that said, most ultra-light frame manufacturers will void the frame's warranty if an owner does any mod like what you're suggesting, including a bike rack on the rear.

many 5th wheels and motorhomes can do this because their frames are NOT ultra-light frames.
3LittleDucks
Explorer
Aug 10, 2013
Sorry, I was joking. The rack looks good!
08trdoffroad
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
I am really not interested in purchasing a canoe or inflatable raft. I'd like to figure out a way to haul the boat I currently own. But thanks for the suggestions.

I am working with someone on another forum I am a member of for my truck to fabricate a rack to haul the boat that should be less expensive than buying a commercial alternative. And by custom fabricating it, I can make it exactly the way I want it to be. I'll update if the plan materializes. It will look something like this.

Edited to reduce picture size
3LittleDucks
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
Interesting info, thanks for sharing the replies. We have done the canoe thing, and now use an inflatable raft (keep an air compressor in the HTT), probably not the type of experience you're looking for though!! lol
PAThwacker
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
I use the canoe every weekend for bass fishing, and take the family around looking for turtles, northern water snakes, and lilly pod flowers. Two adults, and two daughters aged 17M and 5 in short 14.7ft flat bottom (38" wide) canoe. I solo paddle it with a drop in center seat and slam 4lb bass every week.
08trdoffroad
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
I heard back from Starcraft this morning, as well as from the Department of Public Safety. I have pretty much decided against trying to tow double with this trailer, and am looking more into to hauling the boat truck top. But, I thought I would put the information out for others in the future who might have the same question.

Starcraft Customer Service wrote:
Dear Mr. *****,

Thank you for taking the time to email Starcraft Customer Service. Your comments and questions are important to us and I would like to help. Starcraft RV does not recommend the installation of a hitch to the frame or bumper. Starcraft RV has not completed any testing for this type of installation and could not advise on it’s performance. Starcraft RV does not sell any type of product to raise the height of the RV. Aftermarket products, such as the one you inquire, are sold and installed at the dealership level. I suggest contacting your local Starcraft dealership with your request.

Thanks again, for the opportunity to be of assistance.

Thank you,
Craig Newcomer

Lead Representative
Customer Service
Jayco Inc./StarCraft RV

DPS-UHP wrote:
Mr. *****,

Thank you for your correspondence with the Utah Highway Patrol. We appreciate it when members of the public contact us with their questions or concerns.

It is not against the law to pull two trailers as long as the overall length of the load does not exceed 65 feet. Utah Code 72-7-402 outlines the restrictions placed on vehicle and load sizes. I have included a link to a website where the code is listed. Please let me know if you have any questions.

http://le.utah.gov/code/TITLE72/htm/72_07_040200.htm

Respectfully,
Sgt. Brian Spillman

Having read the code he provided, Utah does not specify what type of trailer either trailer must be while towing double, just that it can't exceed 65 ft.
PAThwacker
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
Buy a canoe.

catch fish, tour lakes, hunt, take photos, and easily portaged on all of our vehicles.

Take it everywhere secured by Thule racks.
timjcarter9
Explorer
Aug 07, 2013
Go the truck top method. It would cost the same (about) for the hitch and reinforcement (if it is even possible) anyway. Just my take on it.

Plus then you are legal anywhere. Many states and provinces require a fifth wheel be the first towed vehicle.