5er and a Toad??

[gubserb]

Saw something today that, honestly, I didn't think was even legal on the road. Chevy 3500 diesel, pulling what looked like a 32' or 33' fifth wheel, pulling a Chevy Cobalt. I'm a 5er newbie, so I am far from having seen everything. Do many folks do this?

[wingnut60]

Several states allow 'double towing' or sometimes called 'triple-towing. If not otherwise disallowed, the first and most visual item is length--most states also allow a maximum length of 65', others are up to 75'--so if you can pull it and it is less than the maximum length allowed in a particular state, then it is legal. Some states say 'only permissible behind a fifth wheel'--there are lots of little legalities to watch out for, but length is the most often cited as illegal if stopped.
Truck/fiver+boat, car, flatbed trailer w/ATVs, etc all may be legal. I have even seen a truck pulling a car pulling a flatbed trailer, and you see a lot of multiple cars being pulled from an auction sale.
All mostly legal, but really subject to the whims of the LEO that thinks something ain't right.
And, welcome to the forum--hope you post often.
Joe

[netjam]

Have seen a few but not many. Before you do this you should check with your 5er manufacturer. Most I looked at can only take a rear 5er tongue weight of about 300# and tow less than 3000#. Its also not allowed in some states or provinces.

[oldbird]

I did it for two summers at about 20K miles. I was right at 65' and from AZ to Mi I was fine but when we went to Baltimore to see my daughter we left the Geo in Mi. Eastern states are strict on length and some don't even allow it. What most don't understand is two ball joints are not allowed. Only a king pin and then a ball is allowed. Now that I have a longer MS I'm leaving the Geo at home because I would be to long. If you have all four wheels on the ground there is zero tongue weight. The Geo only weighs 2,300#. Here is some interesting reading.

http://rvtravel.com/blog/jerry/2007/10/can-you-triple-tow.html

http://www.readybrake.com/state-towing-laws.html

http://www.5thwheelforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_20816_0_fc3fce24b2c0e9dfd0e81bb0b71a70fe.jpg (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/oldbird1965/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1456114842_zpsbkqzhkdn.jpg.html)

[wingnut60]

Glenn,
That was one nice setup--but wasn't the SD way over on RA and GC weight ratings?
How did you ever survive?
Looks like the pic was out west?
Joe

[oldbird]

Actually its a OBS and I'm sure it was over all ratings. LOL It handled like a dream except when you screw up and need to back up if you know what I mean! We survived fine but after two six month 10K trips I had enough, to stressful. We are going on our 12th year of being snow birds out of AZ and am looking forward to the MS. We just plain wore out the Travel Supreme! Nothing but tire problems until I put on Mor/ryde IS. I'm considering that on my MS.

[wingnut60]

So, what are you going to tow the MS with?

I would put the MorRyde IS under anything if I bought new.

Long ago, I towed a 32' Kit with a '78 Bronco all over the place, and I knew it was OK because I had 2 friction sway controls on it...

Joe

[oldbird]

Well Joe, its a long story. The truck in the picture burned up. The turbo oil pressure line rubbed against the firewall and blew a hole in it. So, there I am sitting in a campground with only a Geo to pull my 5er with, LOL. I love the OBS's and know how to work on them so I bought another one. I salvaged all my goodies off my burned truck including my bullet proof trans and rebuild this one. Its far from stock and will pull just about anything.

http://www.5thwheelforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_20825_0_61b83267b48f98d84b0d992d071922bd.jpg (http://s1282.photobucket.com/user/oldbird1965/media/Mobile%20Uploads/1459220634_zps3r17ozpm.jpg.html)

[wingnut60]

Looks like a good one, wish I had your ability to build them up.
Joe

[oldbird]

haha, problem is, I'm getting old and its getting harder to work on them. Its probably just a matter of a few years before I'll buy a new one if we continue to travel.

[Stevencoles]

The weirdest thing we saw was a fiver pulling a two tiered trailer with a car on the bottom and a boat on the top. It looked like the trailer had hydraulics to lower the boat. Must have weighed a couple tons for the trailer alone... Not sure how in the heck this would be safe?

[wingnut60]

Seen several of those behind a MH, but not behind a fiver.

[duckbill56]

I pull this in Michigan right at 70 foot 16 foot lund. Truck has 450 rear suspension air bags, Hensley air hitch, All the banks goodies with a air dog fuel pump. Air compressor under passenger area. &500 propane Generac generator in front of hitch. looking at a Volvo 780 when we retire.

[wingnut60]

Nice, very nice!