5th Wheel Towing
#33
10-07-2010, 11:50 PM
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I guess a con for the 5th wheel trailer would be a considerable loss of cargo space in the box do to the hitch assy.
And, with the room that you do have left, don't put anything lighter than a cinder block or a 10-pin bowling ball in it.... Anything lighter will blow out once you are underway, she makes great winds.
And, with the room that you do have left, don't put anything lighter than a cinder block or a 10-pin bowling ball in it.... Anything lighter will blow out once you are underway, she makes great winds.
#34
10-09-2010, 11:23 PM
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That would be illegal and stupid. Yes I know people do it but doesn't change the facts.
#35
10-10-2010, 05:52 PM
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Hi
Here in the UK I have a Ram 1500 2wd 5.7 hemi towing a 28ft sun valley xtreme lite 5th wheel weighing in at 3300 kg fully loaded, im getting 12 mpg US thats around 15 mpg UK, i have no problems pulling the trailer its a breeze, Thinking of an lpg conversion which at 65 pence per litre UK should return an equivelent of about 28 mpg
Here in the UK I have a Ram 1500 2wd 5.7 hemi towing a 28ft sun valley xtreme lite 5th wheel weighing in at 3300 kg fully loaded, im getting 12 mpg US thats around 15 mpg UK, i have no problems pulling the trailer its a breeze, Thinking of an lpg conversion which at 65 pence per litre UK should return an equivelent of about 28 mpg
#37
10-10-2010, 07:06 PM
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Towing multiple trailers is regulated by state laws. Individual states do allowing triple towing with restrictions. However, on interstate highways you are also subject to federal regulations and towing multiple trailers is illegal without a CDL and proper endorsement.
Link provided here provides state/province regulations. Scroll to the far right and see what license is required. Most require more than you average operator license.
Towing Laws Listed by State
Regardless of state laws it's still insanely stupid. Pick-ups are NOT designed to tow multiple trailers nor are most operators of pick-ups trained to tow multiple trailers. Every time I've seen someone try it I've seen that same someone piled up alongside the road. I actually blew one guys 2nd trailer over for him when I passed in my big truck going the opposite direction. I laughed right along with the cop who wrote him a ticket for towing more than one trailer.
Your insurance agent might have something to say about it too. Try explaining how you took a vehicle NOT designed to do something, did it, wrecked. Bet they won't laugh long before they say sorry, your policy doesn't cover idiocy.
By the way, my endorsements include doubles, tankers, hazardous materials.
Link provided here provides state/province regulations. Scroll to the far right and see what license is required. Most require more than you average operator license.
Towing Laws Listed by State
Regardless of state laws it's still insanely stupid. Pick-ups are NOT designed to tow multiple trailers nor are most operators of pick-ups trained to tow multiple trailers. Every time I've seen someone try it I've seen that same someone piled up alongside the road. I actually blew one guys 2nd trailer over for him when I passed in my big truck going the opposite direction. I laughed right along with the cop who wrote him a ticket for towing more than one trailer.
Your insurance agent might have something to say about it too. Try explaining how you took a vehicle NOT designed to do something, did it, wrecked. Bet they won't laugh long before they say sorry, your policy doesn't cover idiocy.
By the way, my endorsements include doubles, tankers, hazardous materials.
Last edited by RMorell; 10-10-2010 at 07:13 PM.
#38
10-11-2010, 02:11 PM
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#39
10-11-2010, 02:22 PM
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This is getting off course, but since triple towing WITH A CUMMINS (not a half ton) is something I will do in the future here are the issues:
Triple towing is allowed in the following states:
•Alaska
•Arizona
•Arkansas
•California
•Colorado
•Idaho
•Illinois
•Indiana
•Iowa
•Kansas
•Kentucky
•Louisiana
•Maryland
•Michigan
•Minnesota
•Mississippi
•Missouri
•Montana
•Nebraska
•Nevada
•New Mexico
•North Dakota
•Ohio
•Oklahoma
•South Dakota
•Tennessee
•Texas
•Utah
Exceptions To The Rule
Nothing is ever straightforward and simple.
Many of these states have a variety of restrictions which could still hamper your ability to tow two trailers. For example, some states limit total length of all 3 units to 65 feet. In some instances, the limit is 70 feet or 75 feet total length. In some states, triple towing is restricted to adding the second trailer only behind a 5th wheel trailer (which is the only way to do it safely IMO). Many states limit the second trailer to recreational equipment, such as a boat, snowmobile, or ATV 4-wheelers.
In California you even need a special endorsement on your drivers license to tow any trailer over 10,000 lbs or to drive a motorhome that is over 40 feet in length.
Triple towing is allowed in the following states:
•Alaska
•Arizona
•Arkansas
•California
•Colorado
•Idaho
•Illinois
•Indiana
•Iowa
•Kansas
•Kentucky
•Louisiana
•Maryland
•Michigan
•Minnesota
•Mississippi
•Missouri
•Montana
•Nebraska
•Nevada
•New Mexico
•North Dakota
•Ohio
•Oklahoma
•South Dakota
•Tennessee
•Texas
•Utah
Exceptions To The Rule
Nothing is ever straightforward and simple.
Many of these states have a variety of restrictions which could still hamper your ability to tow two trailers. For example, some states limit total length of all 3 units to 65 feet. In some instances, the limit is 70 feet or 75 feet total length. In some states, triple towing is restricted to adding the second trailer only behind a 5th wheel trailer (which is the only way to do it safely IMO). Many states limit the second trailer to recreational equipment, such as a boat, snowmobile, or ATV 4-wheelers.
In California you even need a special endorsement on your drivers license to tow any trailer over 10,000 lbs or to drive a motorhome that is over 40 feet in length.
#40
10-11-2010, 02:24 PM
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Commercial triples are set up such that the air brake system continues on through all 3 pieces. The second trailer rides on a 5th wheel dolly, not a 2-inch chrome ball purchased at the local hardware store. Therefore, when commercial trucks apply the brakes, all wheels will apply at the same time with equal pressure.
Recreational vehicles may have air brakes on the motorhome, electric brakes on the first trailer, and in many cases no brakes at all on the third item being towed.
To that end, the federal D.O.T. doesn't want any part of regulating non-commercial situations. So, they leave it completely up to each state to set their own limitations. Just remember, seeing a semi truck pulling 2 trailers on or near an interstate highway does NOT mean you're good to go with more than one trailer.
Recreational vehicles may have air brakes on the motorhome, electric brakes on the first trailer, and in many cases no brakes at all on the third item being towed.
To that end, the federal D.O.T. doesn't want any part of regulating non-commercial situations. So, they leave it completely up to each state to set their own limitations. Just remember, seeing a semi truck pulling 2 trailers on or near an interstate highway does NOT mean you're good to go with more than one trailer.