Towing two trailers at the same time

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:08 am

I'm thinking about pulling a small jon boat behind my 20 travel trailer. I was wondering if anyone has tried to pull double trailers? I running a Hensley hitch from the Jeep to the travel trailer. Then a cheap weight and sway hitch from the travel trailer to the boat. I'm looking 4300 max weight for everything. The boat weight is 700 pounds max .Thanks for the input

ChooChooman74 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 1:15 am

Don't do it. Even if it is legal, its just stupid.

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amslube · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:34 am

In states where it is legal, a trailer can be pulled behind a 5th wheel trailer but even this is not legal in many states. I don't believe it is legal anywhere to tow 2 tag-a-longs. I've seen many pickups pulling 5th wheel campers with boats or small covered trailers behind even in states where it is not legal and out of curiosity I've talked to several and none have been bothered by police even in states where it is not legal. I've contemplated this myself, my 2011 Ram 2500 Cummins as the tow vehicle, my Titanium 28E33 camper behind that, and my KW 19' CC boat behind the Titanium. Even though I would be within the legal tow weights for my truck, the overall length of the rig keeps me from even attempting it. In PA it's legal for commercial operators to double tow but not recreational drivers but on the other hand, commercial rigs have a length limit where there is no length limit for non commercial rigs...this was told to me by a commercial trucker who I questioned about his recreational rig which consisted of a 40' motor home with a 35' enclosed trailer behind. Yet in PA commercial rigs have a 65' length limit.

dirtmover · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 9:50 am

op, I can't even begin to think how you would back this lot up if required or do you only do forward?

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

My father in law does double and triples a lot, he said you dont back them up.....once you turn they all jack knife unless your "super dooper good"

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tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 12:41 pm

amslube wrote:

I've talked to several and none have been bothered by police even in states where it is not legal. .

The highway patrol back home will make you drop the 2nd trailer and leave it on the side of the highway.

naturist · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 7:22 pm

But you might find this useful: http://towingworld.com/towinglaws.cfm

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:02 pm

love the picture that's great. And thanks for all the comments and help. I looking at the frame of the Travel trailer. I believe with some extra support bolted in the rear of the trailer. It should support the weight of the jon boat. With the new Hensley hitch control should be no problem. Thanks for all the help. Would like more comments.

jlgail4309 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 10:31 pm

After taking a good look at the bumper. I thinking about replacing the whole bumper. Having some plates burned out to fit on both sides of the frame. Around two foot back into the trailer. Then replacing with a new bumper back on the support .

thermorex · **Posted:** Tue Mar 05, 2013 11:38 pm

naturist wrote:

But you might find this useful: http://towingworld.com/towinglaws.cfm

Holly cow... You guys are nuts to do that, lol.

naturist · **Posted:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 11:55 am

thermorex wrote:

Holly cow... You guys are nuts to do that, lol.

No, "we're" not nuts to do that. The idiot you see in the driver's window was nuts to do that. What's more, the LEO walking up beside the trailer was about to bust his booty, because that rig is patently illegal in every state in the Union, not to mention every province in Canada.

In fact, that idiot was darn lucky he got busted before he (and several others, no doubt) got killed.

thermorex · **Posted:** Wed Mar 06, 2013 1:56 pm

Was just wondering if you guys are in some "extreme" towing contest, lol. I guess it could work at very slow speeds and no curves... I'm surprised that guy got that far on the highway with all his setup intact...

To be honest I was about to say that's dumb, but didn't know if actually somebody here has done it, and kept my mouth shut.

Happy safe towing!

Jeeper4life · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:07 am

The U-haul car trailer looks to be bent in the back slightly from all the weight..That ford E350 was working hard that day!

airwerks · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 2:47 am

Obviously that pic is dangerous from the lack of tongue weight on the u-haul trailer, plus no brakes on the last trailer, but in regards to the OP's question, I wonder how bad it would tow? Triple trailer semi's don't seem to be killing anyone(statistically they are safer than doubles) and if his boat is only 700 or 800 lbs the theory raises my curiosity. Not enough to risk a visit from a state trooper though.

jsrmonster · **Posted:** Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:26 am

Three trailers has too many degrees of freedom - simple physics. A small forcing function sideways can put the free bodies in a dangerous resonant (side-to-side) motion. Now if you fix the 2nd trailer nose to the first trailer it is not a problem. ie. remove the x-axis DOF.

I have seen a jet ski trailer attacked to fifth wheel bumper at 2 horizontal points with no problem.
Jeff

Towing two trailers at the same time

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