rockmike
AR
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Joined: 05/28/2007
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Thinking about adding a trailer hitch to my Flagstaff 831BHSS to pull a small boat when I go fishing. Anyone done this?
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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I'd check with Forest River but I don't think they'll recommend it.
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles)
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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Joined: 05/27/2005
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No. Sway issues alone would scare me silly. That's a LONG trailer. You would need to check to see if double-towing with a TT (instead of a 5th wheel) was even legal.
2007 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 5.7L V8 w/ tow pkg, Equal-i-zer
2008 Flagstaff 831RLSS
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stevep7
nc
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Joined: 06/26/2008
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I was told by the dealer that the bumper on that unit wasn't strong enough to add anything. Hard head that I can be I put a bike rack on and twisted the bumper. Changed the thin one out for a one quarter inch thick one and it work well. Had to get Forest River to sign off on the work to get the warranty ok'd. All the research I have done says that double tow with a TT is strictly against the law but can be done with a 5er as long as you stay within total tow length with that setup
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JakePix
Long Island, NY
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Joined: 03/09/2006
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As one who enforces the traffic laws I would have to tell you that unless you are licensed to tow doubles (2 trailers at the same time) it would be illegal. However, some states (not many) exempt RV towers from that law. You would need to research each and every state you were to drive through to see if you could legally do it. Also should you decide to do it, PRACTICE, PRACTICE and then PRACTICE some more. Also check your routing very carefully. You probably will be long enough to be excluded from most side roads.
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H & E
North Texas
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Joined: 10/05/2006
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Some states allow to double tow with ball hitches provided you are within the 65-foot length limit. I found that information at one time, but I cannot seem to relocate it again. Consequently, at the time I decided we would be in some states that would not allow it so did not take the issue any further. Besides that, I did not have enough total weight capability to support it.
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MSGMadhatter
Oklahoma
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Joined: 06/24/2006
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Good Sam RV Club
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Rockmike
Make sure and check each state's laws, listed in the TL Directory.
I pulled a 25' Terry TT(5K lbs) and a 16' tri-hull boat(2500lbs) for 12yrs with a Suburban. It was scary until I put LT tires on the TV. After that no problem.
I would not go around the block without a sway bar on both trlrs. Going down hill, and a 18whlr passes you, you might end up in the next state.
I know from experience. Have you ever seen a boat going down the center of the interstate?
Your TV is probably not near heavy enough. The 18whlrs may blow you off the road.
MSG MADHATTER
1500 HD Silverado, 6L
Jayflight 31BHDS
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subcamper
Buffalo, NY
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Joined: 03/01/2004
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I have the Rockwood 8318SS, which is similar to your trailer. I have removed the underbody cover several times (to fix problems caused by poor design!!). After looking at the frame thickness and design, I would say NO to any kind of hitch on these ultralight trailers. Right now, I have a frame rail that has a small buckle in the web and also in the flange. That buckle occured after 4 years and NO trailer hitch, just from the trailer itself. I can't imagine how the frame would react to an additional load of a trailer tongue, especially the side-loading.
My opinion: Don't do it.
Steve
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