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Old 01-28-2015, 05:31 AM   #1
vanillagorilla
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towing a trailer behind TT

my question is how many people have experience with pulling a small trailer behind their bumper pull camper. i have a 2014 303bhssr. wanting to be able to pull my golf cart to our destinations w/o using 2 vehicle. was thinking about replacing the rear thin square bumper with a piece of 4x4 1/4" walls square tubing and bracing it to the frame. then welding a hitch on the bottom. should be more than enough strong to handle a golf cart on a small trailer. also what did you guys do regarding the wiring to the tag-a-long trailer??? run extensions all the way under the camper???
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Old 01-28-2015, 05:44 AM   #2
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I'm not sure but I don't think it is legal to double tow with a TT. Many states don't allow it even with a 5er. JM2˘, Hank
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Old 01-28-2015, 05:45 AM   #3
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I've never towed behind a bumper pull, I know some states allow it as long as the 2nd trailer is lighter than the 1st. Not sure how it would handle. If you decide to do it, the bumper plan you have should work, or a receiver hitch. Just make sure you get the proper hitch height to keep everything level and don't take too much weight off of your TT tongue.

As for the wiring, most people will pigtail into the real trailer lights with a trailer wiring harness.
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Old 01-28-2015, 07:27 AM   #4
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If you find it legal in any and all states that you plan to travel, keep an eye on your tow capacity as it looks like your trailer is just under 10,000 lbs and you are towing with a 150. Would not want to go through everything to set it up and then not be happy that the towing did not work out.
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Old 01-28-2015, 08:56 AM   #5
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we see a lot of people pulling double with 5'ers and TT with boats here in the southeast. even if I do the mods I would still use it for hauling carryall rack from time to time. we are headed to Disneyland in april and golfcart rentals are $90 a day now.
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Old 01-28-2015, 10:06 AM   #6
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Check FL laws, I had a cousin who was forced to pull over and unhook his boat from his 5er. That was several years ago, not sure on current laws.

Oh wait, you said Disneyland, that would be CA not FL, my bad.
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Old 01-28-2015, 10:27 AM   #7
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In the reference below just click on your state and see what they have to say about it.

http://towingworld.com/towinglaws.cfm

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Old 01-28-2015, 03:53 PM   #8
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We had another thread about this subject and I think it was stated that even though it is done all the time, it is not legal in Fla.

This link may help it is not very clear but does state max combined length.
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Old 01-28-2015, 04:58 PM   #9
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Maybe this would work and possibly be legal

http://idahotote.com/

or


http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel.html

but it appears the top link not suitable for bumper pull tts

and the bottom link with special precautions
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Old 01-29-2015, 12:57 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B&T View Post
Maybe this would work and possibly be legal

http://idahotote.com/

or


http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel.html

but it appears the top link not suitable for bumper pull tts

and the bottom link with special precautions
these 2 would be a great solution to the problem.
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Old 01-29-2015, 12:58 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith0404 View Post
Check FL laws, I had a cousin who was forced to pull over and unhook his boat from his 5er. That was several years ago, not sure on current laws.

Oh wait, you said Disneyland, that would be CA not FL, my bad.
meant to say Disneyworld, fl. don't need to be at Disneyland, ca and catch the measles!!! LOL
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Old 01-30-2015, 04:32 AM   #12
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It is legal in SOME states/provinces to pull doubles as long as first trailer is a 5th wheel.
I have never read where doubles are allowed on bumper pull rv rigs.

The real catch is if doubles are allowed in most states the total length allowable is 65 feet
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Old 01-30-2015, 05:24 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleJoe View Post
It is legal in SOME states/provinces to pull doubles as long as first trailer is a 5th wheel.
I have never read where doubles are allowed on bumper pull rv rigs.

The real catch is if doubles are allowed in most states the total length allowable is 65 feet
That was one nice thing about WY when I lived there, 80' total length. Of course, that is a lot, actually too much for most TVs. But it was nice to hook the boat behind the 5er at 68' and not have to worry about being too long.
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Old 01-30-2015, 05:43 AM   #14
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Most states limit any "double tow" (some call it "triple tow") to 65'. A few limit it to 60' while some allow 75' and a couple (all are out west where there's less traffic) are greater than 75'. Wyoming is the only state that I'm aware of that allows towing a second trailer behind a travel trailer. All the states that I'm familiar with only allow a trailer to be towed behind a fifth wheel.

The OP's initial question was whether or not he could tow a "small" utility trailer with his golf cart behind his current rig. The current rig is a 2009 F150 FX4 with a 5.4l V8. I'd suspect that the truck is equipped with the standard tow package (9200 pounds) and a 2014 Springdale 303BHSSR travel trailer. The trailer is 35' long, has a GVW of 9770 pounds. Even if the truck is equipped with the HD tow package (11,200 pounds) considering the length and weight of the trailer, when being towed by a F150, I would strongly recommend against adding another trailer behind the existing rig. That's almost a certain invitation to overloading and overtowing with a half ton truck. We haven't even addressed the shift in tongue weight off the Springdale which will likely affect the handling characteristics. With such a light tow vehicle, handling will almost surely be impacted by adding another trailer behind the first one.

I'd be very reluctant to tow such a rig with my F250. And I'd surely not attempt it without the "very best" in sway control. Having a golf cart on a small trailer behind a 35' trailer can set up some uncontrollable sway potential even under the best road conditions.

Not to mention that the rig is already at 55+' length and the maximum in Georgia is 65'. I'd say, in this instance, it is not a good idea to hitch anything behind the current rig.
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Old 01-30-2015, 06:06 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith0404 View Post
Make sure you get the proper hitch height to keep everything level and don't take too much weight off of your TT tongue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH View Post
We haven't even addressed the shift in tongue weight off the Springdale which will likely affect the handling characteristics. With such a light tow vehicle, handling will almost surely be impacted by adding another trailer behind the first one.

Having a golf cart on a small trailer behind a 35' trailer can set up some uncontrollable sway potential even under the best road conditions.
Exactly what I was eluding to, John pointed out in more detail what the danger is. Adding a hitch to the back of a TT has a much different effect than adding to a 5er with 3k lbs sitting on a pin.
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Old 01-30-2015, 06:35 AM   #16
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I routinely double tow in Michigan and am very reluctant to tow out of the state (65' vs 75' limits). My rig is a F250 158" WB, 31' fifth wheel and 17' boat. The total length with the boat motor in travel position is 73'4". I can't "shorten" the rig to be legal in states with a 65' total length, so I don't try.

With the boat behind the fifth wheel, there's an increased sensation of trailer sway, it's easily controllable, but I know there are "forces pushing the rear of the fifth wheel laterally. From my experiences towing longer "conventional hitch" trailers behind properly equipped 3/4 ton trucks, I would never consider towing a small trailer behind a 35' trailer other than a fifth wheel. And then, depending on the total length, that may well become impossible if you plan to stay within the length limits.

Even with the fifth wheel and boat there is a "BLIND SPOT" where the boat sits. I have a camera to monitor the boat. Without the camera I can't see the boat/trailer even in turns. So, there's always the question of "what is the boat doing back there?"
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Old 01-30-2015, 06:38 AM   #17
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It is legal in Ohio to double tow with aTT.
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Old 01-31-2015, 02:53 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CWtheMan View Post
In the reference below just click on your state and see what they have to say about it.

http://towingworld.com/towinglaws.cfm

CW

Thanks for the link, good information!
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