Towing yourboat in tandem?

[jmhatchett]

Ive seen it done plenty where I live, But where I am at it is probobly "easier" than most other places. I live in the panhandle of Texas so very flat, straight roads. That doesnt make this task EASY, but much more simple than navigating mountains, hills, rough narrow roads, or something along those lines. Some of the major concerns I've been told of are the GVWR, most often with two trailers you will exceed the weight rating for the tow vehicle. Another is BRAKES, being able to control BOTH trailers while you slow down, or in an emergency need to quickly stop. Like its been said, check your regulations and go from there. But also mentioned was tongue weight. All of these are things to research before attemptted, but good luck!

Let everyone know what your conclusion or outcome is.

[Kito]

I used to pull my 5th wheel and boat all the time. In Montana people do it everyday. Its not that bad. I had a 33ft 5th wheel then my boat, but I used a 3/4 ton duramax to do it. I wouldnt even think about doing it with a 1/2 ton or a bumper pull trailer.

[Dave S]

Thanks everyone for the input. In the Houston Texas area it is fairly flat, my f-150 has the 5.4l and trailer tow package-rated to tow 6500 lbs +/-. I am guessing my boat and trailer is around 4700. I know boat weighs 3200 from brochure and trailer is probably then about 1500 lbs. I would get the rig weighed at a weigh station when I am real serious about doing this.

The teardrop trailer is based on a 4x8 or 5x8 frame and can have trailer brakes added, which I would do, being it is an f-150. As far as towing laws, I have not checked specifically into it but see it all the time here in Texas.

My truck is a supercrew w/ 5 1/2 ft bed. The only slide-in camper that would fit and still be able to tow my Z1 are new or newer slide-ins that are designed for the 5 1/2 ft bed. The older slide-ins would stick out to long behind truck and I do not want to have an extened reciever because of the tongue weight. The problem with this is that the new or newer slide-ins that will fit in my truck start at around $12,000. I think that is way to much.

Here is a link to some teardrop campers:
http://www.golittleguy.com/teardrops/

I could even build my own and make it as little weight as possible.

Thanks for all the insight - keep it coming

[Ewok]

I just got my boat back from service and noticed that there is a receiver hitch welded onto the back of the frame. There is one on each side of the prop guard and it looks like tige used a cross bar that would fit in the receiver hitches. See my phone pics below:

[Fiveflat]

Just don't plan on bringing it to CA, the speed limit with one trailer is 55 mph and the idea of pulling two is unheard of. Also, don't bring a gun that can hold more than 10 rounds, don't talk on your cell phone while you drive, and don't even think about not wearing your seat belt.

Nothing wrong with towing doubles in CA, but there are rules however. I am a Class A with my double/triples endorsement. Pretty much the only way to haul 2 trailers behind your tow rig is to have a Commercial license WITH the doubles/triples endorsement. Then the first trailer behind the truck MUST be either a gooseneck or 5th wheel. It cannot be a bumper pull.
Finally your overall length cannot exceed 65ft. So truck(20')+ boat(~25' overall on trailer)= ~45' leaves you with about 20' to play.
But the whole gooseneck/5th primary trailer buggers up the deal on account of length more than anything.

[TeamAllen]

I have a sales rep I deal with that pulls double trailers. He is constantly being pulled over by the CHP on his way to the dunes. He carries a copy of the law to show the officer. He is still ticked probably half the time and has to fight it. Next time I see him I'll ask about the 5th wheel part?

[ajholt7]

[Ewok]

I have seen a rig just like that driving around Abilene and the point of my pics above is that my road runner trailer has a hitch receiver welded on, just like those trailers in the picture. They are not special trailers for transport only, they are standard customer trailers with the hitch receiver welded on.

[91Terminator]

I have seen a rig just like that driving around Abilene and the point of my pics above is that my road runner trailer has a hitch receiver welded on, just like those trailers in the picture. They are not special trailers for transport only, they are standard customer trailers with the hitch receiver welded on.

No they dont have anything welded on. Like yours. It bolts on and off i have seen it.

[Ewok]

Ok, I was just trying to show Dave S how additional trailers can be hooked up to inboard boat trailers. I was looking over my boat and trailer after I picked it up for service and noticed that there were receiver hitches welded onto the frame of the trailer just outboard of the prop guard. I have seen the rig above towing 2 boats and I'm sure there is a cross bar somewhere that connects into the receiver hitches on my trailer. I do not have that cross bar but I imagine dealers or delivery drivers for Tige do. I also know that Tige dealers use different trailers around the country so I'm sure there are many systems used on the different trailer makes. This is how my trailer was probably used to tow two boats.

[Fiveflat]

Ok, I was just trying to show Dave S how additional trailers can be hooked up to inboard boat trailers. I was looking over my boat and trailer after I picked it up for service and noticed that there were receiver hitches welded onto the frame of the trailer just outboard of the prop guard. I have seen the rig above towing 2 boats and I'm sure there is a cross bar somewhere that connects into the receiver hitches on my trailer. I do not have that cross bar but I imagine dealers or delivery drivers for Tige do. I also know that Tige dealers use different trailers around the country so I'm sure there are many systems used on the different trailer makes. This is how my trailer was probably used to tow two boats.

Very simple to fabricate the hitch for your receiver design. Probably $100 in material and another $100 in labor for a welder (or weld yourself as I would do).
Did you buy that trailer new?

[Domsz06]

I have a sales rep I deal with that pulls double trailers. He is constantly being pulled over by the CHP on his way to the dunes. He carries a copy of the law to show the officer. He is still ticked probably half the time and has to fight it. Next time I see him I'll ask about the 5th wheel part?

i think that would be a PITA and make it not worth it.

[Fiveflat]

I once saw a guy with a hand written sign taped to the back of his truck (who was pulling doubles). I never forgot this because, well it made me laugh. It read:
"I have a Class A with doubles/triples endorsement. So don't pull me over because you *think* I'm breaking the law. Come up with probably cause first"

[Domsz06]

I once saw a guy with a hand written sign taped to the back of his truck (who was pulling doubles). I never forgot this because, well it made me laugh. It read:
"I have a Class A with doubles/triples endorsement. So don't pull me over because you *think* I'm breaking the law. Come up with probably cause first"

too freaking funny!!

Think he has been pulled over a time or two?

[Ewok]

Very simple to fabricate the hitch for your receiver design. Probably $100 in material and another $100 in labor for a welder (or weld yourself as I would do).
Did you buy that trailer new?

Yes, the trailer came with my new boat, and it came with the receiver hitch parts welded onto the trailer frame. I did not order it this way. I noticed the receiver parts welded onto the trailer frame on Saturday and remembered this thread. I took pictures and posted them to potentially help Dave S who started this thread by asking about pulling 2 trailers. I have no intention of pulling 2 trailers, it was more like a huh, I guess those things welded onto the trailer frame are used to tow 2 trailers.