The Skinny on 5er Double Trailering

Benbill · 03-01-2020, 08:29 PM

My wife and I want to travel with our two 150cc Scooters. I was all set to buy a 58 Swivel Wheel trailer by Cruiserlifts.com only to learn that seven of the states we want to travel in this fall don’t allow double/triple trailering. This type of trailer is is directly mounted to the 5er and does not pivot like a traditional trailer does. Do any of you have any knowledge on how these laws apply to fifth wheel trailers? I see all kinds of crazy configured RVs traveling the highways, so is this really an issue we need to worry about? Thank you.

**JRTJH** · 03-01-2020, 08:51 PM

Every state has a "state police contact us" link on their traffic safety website. If I were you (I double tow with my fifth wheel) and I wanted to know a specific "legal issue" about a "particular trailer combination" I'd click on the "contact us link" on those 7 state websites, email them the photo (so there's no question about what you're asking) and wait for the answer.... THEN, when you do get the answer, print it out and put it in your "save my butt" folder in the glove compartment, so if, by some chance, you happen to get stopped, you can "prove the main office told you it's legal" …..

Benbill · 03-01-2020, 08:55 PM

Excellent idea!

roadglide · 03-02-2020, 04:34 AM

Installed one for a friend recently it had the Single connection That was very unstable when he came over he order the double connection delivered to my house . I would never use a center single connection. My friend told me there extension of the camper no ball or chains. It will add length not much but it could put the rig over 65 feet for some states.

notanlines · 03-02-2020, 05:06 AM

A copy and paste from Fastmaster Products website: "
Fastmaster products, Inc. does not consider the Swivelwheel system a trailer. We consider it an extension of the tow vehicles existing frame since the system cannot swing from side to side like conventional ball mount trailers. The system must track with the tow vehicle. We have done extensive searching for the definition of a "Trailer". The definition is all over the board. It would be best to consult your state for more information. To date, we have never had a customer stopped and ticketed for having the Swivelwheel system being pulled behind their trailer, and that's been over 12 years now.

There are basically 22 states that do not allow triple towing. These are the entire east coast from Maine to Florida, Oregon, and Washington. All other states do allow it for fifth wheel travel trailers. There are a greater number of states that do not allow triple towing with bumper pull travel trailers. Most do not allow ball to ball towing. A good source of state by state towing laws is available by clicking on the following link.

www.towingworld.com/articles/towinglaws.htm

There are numerous sites available, but this one appears to be more complete. Check with your state DMV office for licensing requirements. For example, if you reside in California, you are required to have a change in your drivers licenses for triple towing.

Benbill · 03-02-2020, 07:08 AM

If possible, how long is your friend’s 5th wheel? I have heard that stability increases with length of trailer. Thank you for your comments.

Ken / Claudia · 03-02-2020, 02:30 PM

In Oregon it's another trailer unless and until it is a permanent part of the trailer. I mentioned this before, about 15 years ago I stopped a guy for illegal combination of trailers. He had 2 hooked up and the second was using a 2 point connection. He had a temp. permit from ODOT in this state to test it. He owned the company. I have no idea what ever happened with his testing,but the law was never changed. It was attempted to get changed about the same time with many restrictions. One being the 1st trailer had to be a 5th wheel hitch system. That law never made it out of committee for a vote. I was told and never looked it up. Paid RV transporters with Comm Truck plates can pull 2 RVs from Keystone and other RV makers in Pendelton and La Grande where several RVs are made to Portland. Those I see on I-84 all headed west.

My guess is only that. It takes big money to get a law changed or new law passed. And that is a big bar to cross for a small company with a new product.
That system maybe really safe and common sense would say it's fine, but if the law says different your looking for trouble.

Pull Toy · 03-02-2020, 03:15 PM

As already mentioned, it's (probably) not legal on the east coast.

One thing to consider if you can get away with it elsewhere, is to be prepared to pay thru the nose at any toll booths. That extra "axle" will put you in the tractor trailer rate. Another thing you will definitely need to keep constant track of is the "sweep effect" you will have when maneuvering. That rear platform is going to swing really wide when making turns.

It might be less hassle, and more economical to rent Mopeds when you reach your destination.

Good Luck,

**sourdough** · 03-02-2020, 06:31 PM

I've been on the road for a few days but my thought is....WHY? would you want something like that? Heck, buy a small trailer and put the scooters on them and double tow and be legal (or not) wherever you go. That thing just looks like an accident waiting to happen IMO.

HD0707 · 03-02-2020, 06:42 PM

I have used one of the dual swivelwheel trailers for about 2 years and have towed in Ga,SC,NC,Fla,Tenn and Ala. with no problems. If you use the dual hook up it does not swivel and it makes it a 5th wheel extension and not a trailer. Not sure that would hold up in court but I think the reason no one bothers to stop me is because their not sure about what the laws are and they have more important things to do. I ask a Georgia State Patrol and my local police before I purchased one and no one could tell if it was legal or not. The biggest problem I have is my 5er is 43' and with the swivelwheel it make the rv 50'. I need to be about 8ft away from something when I turn because of tail swing. Would work better on a 36' to 38'

rlh1957 · 03-12-2020, 07:27 AM

This towing extension with a swivel caster wheel for better weight distribution doesn't meet the definintion of a trailer. It is an extension of the rig just like my shelf extension that fits in the same receiver and holds my coolers without a wheel.

But as we all know the blue light patrol interpret things the way they think.
I haven't heard of anyone getting in trouble or tickets for this type setup.

What does the manufacturer say about it? I would think the manufacturer would have experience and knowledge on this as they are marketing an item that crosses into RV manufacturer specs and DOT regulations. Certainly they have done their due diligence before beginning to market such an item.

geeman · 03-12-2020, 09:38 AM

I would agree with most of the above that it is NOT a trailer.

The only issue I can see with some of these pics shown that "could" be an issue is that they extend more than 4 foot from the tail lights and license plate.

That too could be remedied by adding lights etc to the back.

I would not worry about the double trailer aspect.

rlh1957 · 03-12-2020, 09:53 AM

As pointed out by another poster... you still have to be aware of your length regulations in each state.
One review mentioned the single point connection was a little wobbly or unstable and they had gone to a 2 point attachment unit. Using a hitch receiver attach point will always have some movement. Balance the load to help with that.

Ken / Claudia · 03-12-2020, 10:13 AM

As mentioned, by me a copper who knows the law here. Oregon it is not legal!
It MUST be a permanent part of the trailer. For those who do not know that meaning. It cannot be detached.
Also mentioned other problems that Could arise are overall length. This state has a max combo length of 65 feet. Also the rear of a vehicle must have full light system even if taillights can be seen on the 5er.
Besides looking up double towing, you need to know these Definitions that will be in print in each states vehicle code. What is a vehicle? What is a trailer?
Here a vehicle is anything pulled, pushed, carried, drawn on the public road. If it's a vehicle it needs a VIN. Most need to be licensed.
If it's not a permanent part of the trailer it's another vehicle. This state does not use any wording saying "towing extension."
The best advise was given call the state police or highway patrol. Or if you can understand legal terms look up the states traffic laws on line.

Campy · 03-12-2020, 04:51 PM

I drove this rig around for about 5 years all over the Midwest without issue. Little tricky getting fuel sometimes and lots of people taking pictures but went down the road just fine and never got a passing glance from cops. We wont discuss the length...

**flybouy** · 03-12-2020, 06:00 PM

I'm just guessing that the boat tongue weight exceeds the Jeep's hitch capacity.

Ken / Claudia · 03-12-2020, 09:52 PM

I am not sure if post #15 is bragging about breaking the law and not getting caught or not.
I agree there are lazy cops, cops who do not know traffic laws, but should, others do not care about certain violations. Some who see violations, but cannot act because their busy, tired after many hours and as we say "put the blinders on and get back to the office." After a 12 to 18 hour work day.
Cops normally wear a special hat in any big department, the Homicide cops train hard and take the laws about that seriously. Traffic cops also take their assignment seriously and at least around here are expected to know the law, not look the other way. If you drive any vehicle in violation past a traffic cop your rolling the dice for a stop or ticket. I roll dice at a casino not on the road.

McRod · 03-13-2020, 07:01 AM

I double tow. I use the "State Lines" app available for both Android and apple. It's written by Chris and Cherie of technomedia.

It tells you state by state if triple towing is allowed, max vehicle length combinations and a whole lot more.

Be sure to check it out.

Campy · 03-13-2020, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flybouy

I'm just guessing that the boat tongue weight exceeds the Jeep's hitch capacity.

No sir did not, tunnel hull boats are completely empty in the nose so most of the weight is carried on the last 1/3.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

I am not sure if post #15 is bragging about breaking the law and not getting caught or not.
I agree there are lazy cops, cops who do not know traffic laws, but should, others do not care about certain violations. Some who see violations, but cannot act because their busy, tired after many hours and as we say "put the blinders on and get back to the office." After a 12 to 18 hour work day.
Cops normally wear a special hat in any big department, the Homicide cops train hard and take the laws about that seriously. Traffic cops also take their assignment seriously and at least around here are expected to know the law, not look the other way. If you drive any vehicle in violation past a traffic cop your rolling the dice for a stop or ticket. I roll dice at a casino not on the road.

I might have been pushing the length limit but everything is legal including brakes on all three, the tow bar that is not a ball coupler type for the jeep and proper lighting.

**flybouy** · 03-13-2020, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Campy

No sir did not, tunnel hull boats are completely empty in the nose so most of the weight is carried on the last 1/3.

I might have been pushing the length limit but everything is legal including brakes on all three, the tow bar that is not a ball coupler type for the jeep and proper lighting.

That would be the reason the tandem axle ios for towards the rear of the boat. Tongue weight should still be 10% to 15% of the weight of the boat. The Jeep in the photo is definitely squatting in the back. It would be interesting to see the scale slip on that.

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