Towing quads behind my trailer

[bpetroni]

I have 27' Hideout non-fithweel style. I use a WDH when pulling. My question is that I have seen other people tow a quad trailer behind their travel trailers and I was wondering if any of you have done is and is it safe? I pull with a 2012 Dodge Ram with Hemi 5.7ltr, my travel trailer weighs about 5K..

[SAD]

I have 27' Hideout non-fithweel style. I use a WDH when pulling. My question is that I have seen other people tow a quad trailer behind their travel trailers and I was wondering if any of you have done is and is it safe? I pull with a 2012 Dodge Ram with Hemi 5.7ltr, my travel trailer weighs about 5K..

Couple of things to consider in your state and the states you might drive:

A) legality of the setup - many states allow tandem towing, but regulate the two types of trailers in the combination. Some require the first must be 5th wheel type. Some states do not specify - so a travel trailer might be allowed.

Some states regulate the types of coupler for the first trailer. Some state that the first trailer is required to be a king-pin type - which this regulation in itself would rule out a travel trailer OR even a gooseneck trailer.. Since both TT and goosenecks both use ball-in-socket type couplings.

All states will have length limitations. And some may have length limitations which are different between a single combination (truck and 1 trailer) and multiple combination (truck and 2 trailers). A truck and a 27' travel trailer is significantly longer overall than a truck and a 27' 5er based simply upon where the coupler is location and the fact that the first several feet of a 5er rides over/above the truck bed.

B) stability - I have seen people pull 2 bumper pulls in tandem. I have seen it work well. And I have seen it pull like chit - a white knuckle experience even behind a 1 ton.

The challenge is the tendency for the bumper pull type trailer to sway due to the coupler being directly between the units. Adding a second trailer to a bumper pull has a MUCH greater effect on the tongue weight of the first compared to a 5er. With two bumper pulls is hard to get it right.

[crash]

Make sure it doesnt exced your tow rate of your truck and make sure you have a good trailer hitch on the back of your camper and not one of those bumper mounted ones.just my to cents.

[JRTJH]

Here are links to a couple of threads that have addressed travel trailers and towing a second trailer.

Hope they help:

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5437&highlight=wyoming

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3641&highlight=wyoming

[Shoey]

Here is my setup for hauling quads and my camper at the same time 100% legal in all 50 states and safer than double towing.

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=240&pictureid=1057

[Mighty Ming]

Shoey... Looks like a sweet set up! Can we get a side view shot? I have an idea how you've set it up but a side view image would really be appreciated.
Tks, Mingo


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[Shoey]

I don't have a side view, but here is the link to the website that I purchased it from. It really does work as well as the website says. I actually traded in a toy hauler for a regulalar travel trailer because of it. Now I don't need to camp at the trail head and have a more comfortable camper when we don't take the quads with us. http://www.atvracks.com/index.asp

[Outbackmel]

Whether 5er or TT, if the state law you are traveling through does not allow it, reciprocity may not apply. You could be forced to have your extra unit towed away by another vehicle or worse, impounded. If you are only going to be in a particular state, read, understand all laws and you should be good. Never cross that state line unless you understand those laws as well as your home state. Nothing ruins a vacation more than a flat tire OR the POLICE:eek:

I was going to tow bikes to bike week from GA to FL and found NOT GOOD...forgot about it....mov'n on.:D

[sagebel]

I have one of these. http://www.diamondbackcovers.com/ Very solid and versitile. I even use it to haul cabinetry.
http://www.keystoneforums.com/attachments/photobucket/img_60718_0_6452747afacab4fb1f2ae77277af269a.jpg

They are a little pricey but probably not anymore than getting a second small trailer and equiping your TT to pull it.

[maxx1963]

I used to use a double rack like that before I got my fuzion, not even a question to do that instead of towing double. They even make them for short beds.

[crash]

Shoey that is a nice looking set up you have there.

[bpetroni]

Here is my setup for hauling quads and my camper at the same time 100% legal in all 50 states and safer than double towing.

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=240&pictureid=1057

I have been looking at the rack setups. My question is how to do get the bikes up on the trucks without a heart attack? Meaning stopping in time to avoid smashing your cab

[maxx1963]

both of my quads are automatic's so its a piece of cake. The manual ones are a little more tricky, you will get used to it. I always tell people in the campground it is like a jet landing on a aircraft carrier, just floor to incase you cant stop! hah hah!

[sagebel]

I have been looking at the rack setups. My question is how to do get the bikes up on the trucks without a heart attack? Meaning stopping in time to avoid smashing your cab

Some of the rack setups have a winch option so that you can just winch your ATV onto the rack. The setup I have has a some removeable bars if you decide to side load your ATVs. You could alway put a chunk of wood down and just run into it.:banghead:

[Shoey]

If you look close at my picture, there is a back stop that will prevent you from hitting the truck. I'm sure if you hit it at full throttle it wouldn't hold you back, but it works fine in conjuction with the break. Up is really easy, down is a little hairy the first few times. I also made a removable mount for a 12 volt winch and use a set of jumper cables to the truck battery in case I need to load/unload a dead soldier. The rack comes with foldable 10ft ramps so the angle is not too bad.

[JRTJH]

As for winching onto the rack, many ATV's have winches already installed (I do on both of mine) and it would be pretty simple to use the ATV winch to pull it up the ramp or to get it off the rack (if backing seems scarey). I think it would be a hoot to fly up there at full throttle.... No, I never had the "thrill" of landing on a carrier. Hitting the arresting cable on a 150 ft wide runway that's 2 miles long is the closest I ever came.... Maybe, in retirement, with my 4 wheeler........ Hmmmmm NAH, it hurts too much to lay in a hospital bed :applause:

[bpetroni]

Thanks for the advise. I did not even think of the fact that my factory hitch on my TT wouldn't handle a quad trailer. Looks like I will go with the rack style, most of my "loading" fear comes from my last quad was TRX-450 that I loaded in the back of my truck. I would up putting a tire in front of my cab so I would not smash it before I finally bought a trailer. I'm planning on buying a couple of "family" quads that won't scare the wife and kid so they will most likely be automatics. (tx)

[bpetroni]

Here is my setup for hauling quads and my camper at the same time 100% legal in all 50 states and safer than double towing.

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=240&pictureid=1057

It looks like Shoey's rig is a 2500, my Dodge is a 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi, anybody else tow with my type of setup.

[Drew Waller]

I used to pull a tag-a-long for my golf cart behind a 36' Cedar Creek 5th wheel. I had to keep it below 65' over all length for truck and 2 trailers here in Ohio. PA. didn't allow this so I coildn't go east. It was scary, and that's why I bought the 1st Raptor 3612 Toy Hauler. I've been Happy Ever Since.:)

[bpetroni]

I am knew to pulling heavy loads (legally & safely) and missread my trucks towing/hauling capabilities. When the manufacturers list their vehicle capabilities they fail to mention that you need to factor in trailer tongue weight. My truck has a max payload rating of 1650 lbs without passengers. Subtract my tongue wieght of 500lbs, the bikes plus rack would put me over. Thanks for the help..