pulling 2 trailers with one car ??

[MIARider]

Does anyone know the legalities as to pulling 2 trailers with one car, sort of like a train.

[Pfeifere]

All I know is that in some states it's illegal and some it's not.

[Bent]

My Dad used a motorhome to tow a car dolly with a mini-van aboard c/w a 16' boat/trailer attached to the mini-van - essentially three trailers all the way from Mission, Texas to Manitoba Canada. He confirmed any legal issues and was informed that if all due dilligence was taken into consideration (suitable saftey chains on all vehicles and proper straps on the dolly in ddition to appropriate lighting) he would be legal.

Safe was another story - he had to stay below 70 mph, or the unit would start to fishtail.

[PhilnEdee]

My Dad used a motorhome to tow a car dolly with a mini-van aboard c/w a 16' boat/trailer attached to the mini-van - essentially three trailers all the way from Mission, Texas to Manitoba Canada. He confirmed any legal issues and was informed that if all due dilligence was taken into consideration (suitable saftey chains on all vehicles and proper straps on the dolly in ddition to appropriate lighting) he would be legal.

Safe was another story - he had to stay below 70 mph, or the unit would start to fishtail.



I would think fishtail? Who does this, I'd like to know too...we have to take two vehicles to the lake to get 3 skis there...

[Bent]

I think a long tongue'ed front trailer with a shorter rear might be more stable - but I'm just guessing.

I would say that stiffer sidewall tires go a long way to reducing sway on any trailer (including on the tow vehicle).

[MIARider]

I have have the same issue trying to get 3 ski's to the lake and not have to go in seperate cars . I dont mind when its local, but sometimes we go on rides that are 150-200 miles away. Its sucks to ride along !!

[BBCaprice]

Does anyone know the legalities as to pulling 2 trailers with one car, sort of like a train.
I believe in FL you have to have a CDL to tow tandem trls.

[KenGTX]

I have hauled two double trailers from Kentucky to DC and back with no problems. Also, a double and single from Kentucky to Florida and back.

You just have to make sure the the receiver on the front trailer is square, so the back trailer tows straight. Plus make sure that your tongue weight is good on both trailers.

With two trailers just make sure you allow for more stopping distance.

[Bent]

if best performance is obtained with 10% tongue weight, then what should you shoot for when connecting a second trailer?

I've found I can exceed 10% tongue weight on a single trailer and as long as the tow vehicle is ok with it (suspension-wise) then the trailer remains stable. Less than 10% tongue weight and the trailer starts to wallow.

Connecting a second trailer to the back of a properly loaded first trailer would certainly lessen the tongue weight on the tow vehicle... Should one shoot for 20% tongue weight on the lead trailer prior to adding the second trailer?

[RoryO]

I pull two trailers with a dolly between them the purpose of the dolly is to take care of the weight transfer on the lead trailer. This setup also reduces the stress on the lead trailer frame. I did add electric disk brakes to the rear trailer so it would not accordian if i had to stop real hard.
Oh yea i heard that it is illegal in fla to tow double trailers.

[Tennessee]

Sorry

[rapidacceleration]

I do it all the time here in Texas.
I think its legal here:-k well at least i've never been stopped.:lol:

[dhoad]

nice setup Rapid!

[RoryO]

Here is a pic of my rig for tandem trailers since someone brought it back to the top.

[ryanlberg]

could this be done with a speedster 150 and a single ski

[DarthAWM]

Here is a pic of my rig for tandem trailers since someone brought it back to the top.

Technically, that is three trailers. Now you're runnin triples

[SuperCharged/IC]

I've been pulling doubles for years, no worries. I don't do the dollie in the middle but I do pull off the wishbone, that is I have the 2nd trailer hitch originating just behind the 1st trailer coupler. I had the Ohio State Patrol inspect it when I built it and they gave me the green light. They even gave me a copy of the inspection report but I've never had to show it.

[RoryO]

Technically, that is three trailers. Now you're runnin triples

I suppose that is true however in the Motor carrier industry they refer to two semi trailers as being a double tow.
The reason I went with the dolly was to keep the tongue weight from trailer two from removing tongue weight from trailer one. It also minimizes the stress on the aluminum trailer frame on trailer one. BTW
I did add electric over hydraulic breaks to the second ski trailer.

[corkycat]

dont think anything like this is legal in the uk where i live

[petergp800]

Not allowed in any part of Australia, unsurance nightmare. All heavy vehicle multi conbinations require special licences too.
P

[Mac]

How difficult is it to back up?:-k

[785 Pro Mick]

How difficult is it to back up?:-k

I would assume it is impossible.

[Chaserxp215]

well, its easy if you have drivin a gravel train. For those who are not from Michigan or Pennsylvania. Thats like taking your biggest dump trucks you see in the other states, then putting another trailer on it that is the same size or bigger. Becasue we have retarted weight laws... couldnt imagine why our roads need to be built every year. Sorry to get off topic... But it really just takes practice. The first time you backed in the single trailer it was a B****, now its easy. same thing with a double.

[jpeconsult]

The dolly seems to be a good idea, but I am with Darth on this. I think the dolly would, technically need a license plate AND be considered a third trailer.

It would probably depend on how anal the cop is.

[bajaeater]

its legal in most of the us. certain states you cant do it. i looked into it last year when i was going to mudbug. i was clear to do it but didnt have too. i may have to do it this year. luckly the several states i pass through allow it

[TBirdEd76]

does anyone know about CT, RI, MASS, and NH. these are the primary states that I trailer through and if I could pull my double and single trailer it would be nice to do it with one toe vehicle.

[K447]

does anyone know about CT, RI, MASS, and NH.

these are the primary states that I trailer through and if I could pull my double and single trailer it would be nice to do it with one tow vehicle.Have a look here (http://www.greenhulk.net/forums/showpost.php?p=626337&postcount=9), and here (http://www.greenhulk.net/forums/showpost.php?p=959135&postcount=23)

I also found this (http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm).

BTW, it is called 'triple towing', since all three vehicles can carry cargo.

[buellfire]

I pull my ski's behind my camper all summer long. Here in Ky it is legal as long as the first trailer has brakes, and you are within the 70ft total length. I pull with a 2002 diesel crew cab f250 and it all pulls like its not there. I would just make sure you do not put yourself in any positions where you must backup.

[mg86ta]

Hey everyone just to clear it up, my aunt is a sergeant with the CHP here in california.. She said although there is no rule restricting the towing of 2 trailers behind a vehicle, where they can get you is if your tow vehicle isn't rated to tow the weight behind it. So basically the legality of it comes down to the weight of the 2 trailers behind, the weight capacity of your towing package on the vehicle, and how much your vehicle is rated to tow.

[gkecorp]

I am a commercial driver for R&L Carriers able to haul hazardous material/doubles & triples.
Here it is for every state in the US: In all 50 states, in order to legally tow doubles/triples it must be in conjunction with a commercial vehicle. In other words, it is legal to tow doubles and triples in many states, BUT you must have a CDL license and the vehicles being towed must be commercial vehicles. Many cops are unaware of the specific laws regarding this, but DOT (department of transportation) police do know and they can pull you over, even for just speeding.

[RXPRacer513]

When towing double trailers, the heavier trailer must be in front, I donot reccomend that someone with out experience try this.
There is a reason truck drivers go to school to learn how to handle situaations with double trailers and the average person will get themselves in way to deep. I would hate to hear someone had an accident.

I have a 4 place trailer for sales for anyone needing to tow more than 2 skis.

[gkecorp]

Dibs if price is right, how much??

[RXPRacer513]

Price is $3000.00

[aprilia-ryan]

Im getting ready to pull a 16 foot flatbed im gonna side in with plywood and then my single behind it with the Polaris on it.Gonna be from Ne to Philly, should be fun.I found this on my searches as well.

[akjose]

so how does one get to maryland? lol

[aprilia-ryan]

Kinda stoopid huh.I guess under the cover of darkness.Ill be crossing 1 or 2 states that are bad,oh well.

[K447]

I'm getting ready to pull a 16 foot flatbed I'm gonna side in with plywood and then my single behind it with the Polaris on it.

Gonna be from Ne to Philly, should be fun.

I found this on my searches as well.There is more to the rules for 'towing triples'. Search for some previous threads covering this topic.

Issues that vary by state include trailer brakes, trailer weight(s), driver license requirements, commercial vehicle requirements, etc.

Could you stow the Polaris inside the main trailer, then strap the empty PWC trailer onto the trailer roof (maybe with the wheels off, or upside down)?

[aprilia-ryan]

Uhh nope, cant do that.If I still have my Yamaha GP1200R itll be in the trailer along with tool boxes and beds and such.HEres a pic of the setup, just tested an hour or so ago.Worked great.Should be better once black trailer is laoded and sides are put up.

[Steve Herheim]

I have done quite a bit of research on this subject regarding Kansas laws. First and foremost, the laws differ from state to state, do your research. In Kansas (not that anyone wants to visit our mudholes but...) the laws are a bit confusing. I pull my double PWC trailer behind my inboard boat on a regular basis. Kansas law basically states that the tow vehicle have a class III hitch, the second vehicle in tow has electric or surge brakes and the entire length of the rig be less than 65 feet.
A few tips that I have found to help...
- Inflate all tires to their max rating to aleviate "fish tailing"
- If possible, keep the weight of the trailers to a minimum (i.e. empty fuel tanks)
- Increase the tongue weight of the first trailer if possible.
I have tried numerous times to get expert info on this scenerio (law enforcement), only to get conflicting information. I have gotten responses from "no idea" to "let me get back to you", which leads me to think you are safe to come through Kansas even if it is to get to somewhere else other than our "mudholes.
I hope this helps. Please contact me directly if you have any questions.