Well my wife and I are going to be buying some 4-wheelers for our fun and enjoyment but can't figure out how we are going to take them with us. My problem is that we live in our 5er full-time and just bought it brand new in Feb. We discussed a Toyhauler but don't want to eat the negative equity in trade unless absolutely necessary, besides the fact that we really like the 5er we have. Towing doubles is about our only option as taking a second vehicle thousands of miles away just for a second tow vehicle for the ATVs doesn't make much financial sense these days.
Now, I know there will be people talking about overloading this and over length that. To get it out in the air, those things have been thought about and weighed in my mind.
I really just would like to hear about people who do tow doubles, how it works, recommended or not (regardless of length or weight) pros/cons etc. I have seen plenty of people who are towing way over 65' combined all over where we go so I'm not too worried about length (right now) As far as weight, two ATVs on a Triton trailer would only weigh another 2500-3000 lbs so I'm not too worried about that either.
What states are really strict about combined lengths and double towing and what states would more or less overlook you? We plan on going to places in the west, mainly New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Idaho, and states bordering here in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana.
Input please.
'06 Chevy CC/LB 4x4 3500 DRW Dmax/Alli a few go fast mods
'08 Pilgrim Legends 37QB4S-H5 full-timing ready!
JT Strongarms, 5th Airborne, few custom touches
Me (DH), DW, darling little boy and sweet little girl.
hi in Alberta i tow double most of the time. i tow my 16ft boat that has a 60hp moter on it.i have been doing this for about 12 years and for me that the only way to go .but there is different rules for different states and province.my boat towes straight as a arrow if the road is rough i just slow down.but on the open highways i drive about 107km(65mph).i have hered of some people us a light eguazier hitch i have not found a cheap one yet but i think i am going to give it a try .i have been told that it kept the boat trailer from jumping around on the rougher roads.
Well I figured up the length and I will be at 67' long. Two feet over, some will say "you're over, don't do it" others will say, "it'll be fine". I'm hoping that 2' won't be a big deal, I may try to find a slightly shorter trailer to get right at 65' long. That will suffice for all of the states I will double in which is very good. Weight, I'll be over GCWR for the truck, around 1000 lbs (24,500), depends on where I can cut back on weight in the 5er, an exhaust brake will help me there (there are too many people out there towing well over GCWR for there to be any arguments, I am well aware of the ramifications)
I need to hear about backing up, camping, problems with, etc
You really need to stay leagal for safety. I've pulled doubles through The western states (9,000+ miles see profile) and have never had the SP look at us twice, but if you do anything to catch their eye, unbalanced load, something flopping around, speeding ect. you will be checked. Travel safe for your family sake.
1. No backing. Maybe 10' to 15'
2. When I enter a camp ground I drop the utility trailer, setup and go back and get it.
3. I've had no problems, even going through parking lot as the 2nd trailer tracks close to the 1st.
Some states require special license, other states don't allow double towing with an RV. Check out the laws and license requirements in all the states you will be traveling through. There is no one answer to your question.
Your second trailer will NOT affect your trucks GCWR - carry weight since it is not putting its weight, or even toungue weight on the TRUCK. It will affect your trucks towing capacity.
best advise to give you is do it like we did before the net. Hook it all up and go. Go with a quality custom welded on hitch from a reputable custom fab shop. They can tell you what is needed.
Backing up ?? Forget it if manufering is involved. Plan ahead to eliminate that part. I double towed for eight years and only once had to unhook the 2nd trailer to get turned around. Slow down and forget about keeping up with the flow. See state dots
As far as the states that allow double towing with a RV check with that states DPS for their regs. All it takes is a phone call and they can answer any weight or length questions. OK/AR/MO/TX allow double towing.
Jim
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
How about some practical experience from someone who has a few miles 2x towing ATV's?
Tandem axle trailer for starters. Some sort of cage around the perimeter. Either the quad trailers with the ramps on both sides, or a ramp on the back with at least a 12" rail on both sides and front, if you can afford it a fully enclosed would be nice for gear storage, etc.. I lost a bike off the trailer due to a failed strap years ago. Nothing major.It rolled off the front at a stop sign. Could have been worse!
Never been able to back up over 40' myself.
Campgrounds. I would usually drop the trailer at the site and manually push it back in if possible. Otherwise I'd drop it on the road and push as far off the side as possible. Never had anybody get angry at me. I did have a guy laughing at me as I just cleaned off the side marker lights on a site marker post. Actually it was kinda neat looking, as it was twilight and the made a pretty good fireworks display. Quite often at campgrounds we could ride out of, I would pick sites where it was possible to maneuver the trailer to the back and reattach it to the trailer while camping. Made for an easy get-away at vacation's end. Just drive the bikeS back on and go!
Oh yeah, a really thick skin on this forum, as you'll be called names and have your sanity and/or respect for other's safety questioned repeatedly, but that's a whole 'nother issue...
* This post was
edited 07/22/08 07:21pm by oneeyesquare *
Like you we Full-time and wanted to add a ATV (Yamaha Rhino) to enjoy places we travel to. Did some research and found a Tote not a double tow was the answer. We purchased an Idaho Tote which attaches to the rear of the 5er. It is an extends from the 5er frame an not consider a double tow. You can also turn and back it up without disconnecting. Our's also has the option to disconnect it and attach a tow bar to the tote to be us a s stand alone trailer (nice option). They aren't cheap but well built. Large tires 15" (not like the swivel wheels) and has it's own brake system. We have a MDT (Chev. Kodiak C5500) and 36' 5er an are still under 65' overall.
Check their web site it might work for your needs. idahotote.com
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