A question about triples/ tandem trailers

[mouseketeer_mom]

I've read that Florida does not allow them. (ie. our truck, the camper then a trailer for a golf cart) Is this still the case if DH has the tandem endorsement on his commercial drivers liscense?

We were considering bringing a golf cart with us but don't know if it will fit in the back of the truck. Wondering if pulling the extra trailer is an option or even worth the hassle just to save the 250 bucks.

 

[medic9016]

Tandem towing is not allowed in SC,GA, or FL. Here is SC they will make you unhook one of the trailers and it will be towed.. His CDL has no bearing on towing with you POV.

 

[stacktester]

This has been discussed many times on here with the same result. You may get away with it but if you were to be stopped it would cost you hundreds of dollars if you had to store the cart or something like that. Just call Tee Time or GCE and rent one for a week. Unless you can put it in the bed of a truck or have a toy hauler there's no other way to get it here.

 

[Live4FW]

Does a 5th wheel change the situation? Yesterday on i75 in GA I saw a pickup (ram 1500....) pulling a fifth wheel and then a motorcycle trailer.

I realize just because he was doing it that doesn't mean it was legal. I have seen this type of combo often but the travel trailer/utility trailer combo only once or twice.

 

[stacktester]

Does a 5th wheel change the situation? Yesterday on i75 in GA I saw a pickup (ram 1500....) pulling a fifth wheel and then a motorcycle trailer.

I realize just because he was doing it that doesn't mean it was legal. I have seen this type of combo often but the travel trailer/utility trailer combo only once or twice.

I asked more than once to state troopers here in FL. It's just not allowed. If I was only going an hour or so I might try it but any long distance would be a gamble.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Here in MI they call it a "recreational double"

There are many things to consider when setting up one of these, not the least of which is the frame of your main trailer, most trailer mfg dont build in any extra strength and towing a 2nd trailer will put a lot of stress on the lead trailer that it most likely was not designed to take.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

This whole concept just scares the crap out of me.

 

[Live4FW]

This whole concept just scares the crap out of me.

I would tend to agree with this. Everytime I see one, I just hope the driver is very experienced and his rig is in excellent running order. Then I just hope he has enough luck!

 

[liv luvs disney]

This whole concept just scares the crap out of me.

I tend to agree with you A LOT!!!!!

 

[lawnspecialties]

I've read that Florida does not allow them. (ie. our truck, the camper then a trailer for a golf cart) Is this still the case if DH has the tandem endorsement on his commercial drivers liscense?

We were considering bringing a golf cart with us but don't know if it will fit in the back of the truck. Wondering if pulling the extra trailer is an option or even worth the hassle just to save the 250 bucks.

What truck do you have? Look at our setup in my signature. That's site 533 before heading home last year.

 

[Shan-man]

Does a 5th wheel change the situation? Yesterday on i75 in GA I saw a pickup (ram 1500....) pulling a fifth wheel and then a motorcycle trailer.

I realize just because he was doing it that doesn't mean it was legal. I have seen this type of combo often but the travel trailer/utility trailer combo only once or twice.

No, a 5th doesn't make it any more legal. There is however a type of "trailer" that attaches to the rear of a TT or 5th in two locations and has a single swivel wheel. These are used for motorcycles and I've even seen them with golfcarts and I believe they are legal even when triples are not. I wouldn't want to stress the frame of my trailer in ways it wasn't designed to handle. But this type of setup might have been what you saw... or just some scofflaw! LOL

 

[Live4FW]

No, a 5th doesn't make it any more legal. There is however a type of "trailer" that attaches to the rear of a TT or 5th in two locations and has a single swivel wheel. These are used for motorcycles and I've even seen them with golfcarts and I believe they are legal even when triples are not. I wouldn't want to stress the frame of my trailer in ways it wasn't designed to handle. But this type of setup might have been what you saw... or just some scofflaw! LOL

No, it was the later as it was definitely a separate trailer. In fact, the trailer was not even setup to be level (nose high). Also, as I alluded, not sure his setup was very smart. 1/2 ton truck pulling ~30 foot fifth wheel with motorcycle trailer (heavy cruiser type bike).

I just thought it curious that I have seen about a 5 to 1 ratio of 5th wheel combos vs TT combos.

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

thanks for the responses

I won't bother to ask DH or he'll claim it is another of my hair-brained schemes to save a few bucks. If there is any question at all, it's just not worth trying to save the 250. or so. Our truck, a f350 crew cab, has a short bed so I don't think a cart would fit. Anyone know for sure?

 

[2goofycampers]

Definitely won't fit with the tail gate up. Maybe with it down, but the hitch usually prevents you from riding with it down.

 

[lawnspecialties]

thanks for the responses

I won't bother to ask DH or he'll claim it is another of my hair-brained schemes to save a few bucks. If there is any question at all, it's just not worth trying to save the 250. or so. Our truck, a f350 crew cab, has a short bed so I don't think a cart would fit. Anyone know for sure?

Definitely won't fit with the tail gate up. Maybe with it down, but the hitch usually prevents you from riding with it down.

Because of our rear step on our golf cart, my long bed will not allow me load the cart with the tailgate up. Yes, the TT hitch and jack are too close for comfort to leave it down.

What I do is take the tailgate cables and run them over the knobs which hold the tailgate closed. This allows the tailgate to rest at an approximate 45 degree angle. We did this from Raleigh to the Fort and back. No problems with anything.

 

[lawnspecialties]

No, a 5th doesn't make it any more legal. There is however a type of "trailer" that attaches to the rear of a TT or 5th in two locations and has a single swivel wheel. These are used for motorcycles and I've even seen them with golfcarts and I believe they are legal even when triples are not. I wouldn't want to stress the frame of my trailer in ways it wasn't designed to handle. But this type of setup might have been what you saw... or just some scofflaw! LOL

Last year, I saw an F350 with a beautiful fifth wheel pulling a nice ski boat on the 64 by-pass. I don't know how far he made it but I was quite envious.

 

[njcamper95]

I'mjust wondering if it was even legal how would you figure how much trailer you would be able to tow without blowing up your trans or rear not to mention the fact of trying to drive this into and out of some of the gas stations for fuel ups, sounds like it could be a real challenge just wondering?

 

[LONE-STAR]

I'mjust wondering if it was even legal how would you figure how much trailer you would be able to tow without blowing up your trans or rear not to mention the fact of trying to drive this into and out of some of the gas stations for fuel ups, sounds like it could be a real challenge just wondering?

Don't exceed the weight limits of the truck. As for getting fuel if its a diesel no problem just fill up with the big rigs.

 

[njcamper95]

I guess yeah the tow vehicles limits would be your first starting point then i guess you would have to know what limit your hitch is for your second towed trailer could be and if your first trailer could even tow a second at all sounds like you may want to get out a calculater for this one

 

[LONE-STAR]

sounds like you may want to get out a calculater for this one

Oh just weld a ball on hook up the trailers and let'em sway.