A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

[tallcanadian]

Is it just this province or has the laws changed. I've seen it a dozen times this summer season. A truck towing a camper trailer or rv, and a boat trailer attached to that camper. I didn't think that would be legal, and maybe somewhat dangerous. Unless there was a camera on the camper the driver cannot see the boat or atv trailer. And it looks weird too.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

Not sure about where you are but in Michigan it requires a "Recreational Doubles" endorcement on your license and this will allow you to tow a boat or any other trailer behind a fifth wheel (cannot be a travel trailer)
There is also a maximum total length from front bumper of truck to rear of boat.
I believe the total max length is like 52' or 53'

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

Not sure about where you are but in Michigan it requires a "Recreational Doubles" endorcement on your license and this will allow you to tow a boat or any other trailer behind a fifth wheel (cannot be a travel trailer)
There is also a maximum total length from front bumper of truck to rear of boat.
I believe the total max length is like 52' or 53'

I used to see that like 20 something years ago, but now that you mention it I haven't seen that lately, hmm.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

I used to see that like 20 something years ago, but now that you mention it I haven't seen that lately, hmm.

Could have something to do with the price of fuel maybe ???

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

I think there are about 30 states that this is legal in.

As stated before in MI the first towed vehicle must be a 5th wheel design.

But in Cali it can be two with regular hitches as long as the first one is the heaver of the two. (this may have changed since i lived there)

In oregon it is not legal, but they can pull triples with a semi, i dont get that law.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

that would constitute doubles and would be illegal in NJ, and probably anywhere off the interstate system , I would suspect that it would require a brake link thru all three vehicles.
How would you manipulate a corner?

 

[ne7800]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

As stated before it's pretty common practice here in Michigan

 

[scipper77]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

There is a sticky in the trailers and towing section for towing laws by state. It links you here http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm
You can look for yourself to see if triple tow is legal in your state. At the end it lists Canadian Provinces.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

In Ontario, it is only legal to tow a double is if the first one is a fifth wheel. If your crossing provincial borders or state lines and one allows and the other one doesn't, your in for a world of hurt.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

In BC its against the law but I know the in Alberta its ok.

 

[Seon]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

... in Cali it can be two with regular hitches as long as the first one is the heaver of the two. (this may have changed since i lived there)

Only behind a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer, not a bumper hitch trailer.

 

[rbh]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

Puddlejumper can you imagine them pulling those doubles over the rocky mtns
and into the okanogan/shuswap area, its scary enough on that hwy as it is.
rob

 

[boat1010]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

I do it all the time in Nebraska. I have a 27ft fifth wheel and a 24ft boat. Someone talked about turning? Well it isn't as bad as you think, because there is a pivot point on each trailer. So when the fifth wheel is starting to turn the boat is still going straight. As far as brakes, the fifth wheel is electric hooked to the tow vehicle and the boat is surge. I just have a hookup for lights at the back of the fifth wheel. I only have to go about 20 miles to the lake we go to all the time but have pulled it to Wyoming a few times. You just have to check with local states to see if it is allowed. The biggest thing I have is the length. I am a little over that. Nebraska is 65ft and Wyoming is 75.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

In BC its against the law but I know the in Alberta its ok.

Pretty sure it is legal in all the prairie provinces.

Must be a 5th wheel. I know I've seen it in AB, Sask and Man. Don't know about Ontario and Quebec. Coming into BC you will see signs that it is not legal.

Based on the roads here, the lack of 4 lanes through a lot of BC and just our terrain, I think this is wise. No issue pulling this kind of thing in the flat lands but I'd not like to see it on our hills.

I'm sure it can be set up safely but just think how many would not have brakes on the boat trailer and where the boat would end up.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

I know a guy here in FL that was getting divorced and moving about 300 miles away, he had to move all his toys, truck-5th wheel and boat in one trip....he said he was just gonna hook it and go and he had no other options or time to make 2 trips...I guess go as far as you can and if you get pulled over just leave the boat at the next exit and double back...maybe you can make it most of the way..

I think a lot of cops probably don't know if its legal ??

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

I do it all the time in Nebraska. I have a 27ft fifth wheel and a 24ft boat. Someone talked about turning? Well it isn't as bad as you think, because there is a pivot point on each trailer. So when the fifth wheel is starting to turn the boat is still going straight. As far as brakes, the fifth wheel is electric hooked to the tow vehicle and the boat is surge. I just have a hookup for lights at the back of the fifth wheel. I only have to go about 20 miles to the lake we go to all the time but have pulled it to Wyoming a few times. You just have to check with local states to see if it is allowed. The biggest thing I have is the length. I am a little over that. Nebraska is 65ft and Wyoming is 75.

How are you at backing up?

 

[dwco5051]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

Not legal in Pennsylvania.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

The link earlier for towing eegs by state says that it is not legal in GA either. However, it does not specify whether or not you can do it with 5th wheel being first tow unit. I have seen it done by many people in GA, but most were from out of state.

However, I DO see alot of traler manufacturers (like flatbed and carhauler types) making deliveries with two bumper pull trailers hooked together as a double pull and they are stacked with trailers for delivery. Most of them are from this state and delivering in this state. I have never seen any special tags or stickers to allow this either... Go figure...

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

Only behind a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer, not a bumper hitch trailer.

that exactly NOT what it says. it states this:

With certain qualifications. Only with fifth-wheel trailer in Arizona, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Manitoba (maximum length 23m.) and Saskatchewan.

In the rest of the states you can have both bumper hitches....

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: A truck towing a camper towing a boat. Is it legal?

How are you at backing up?

Just like a big truck pulling doubles or triples,,,,, you don't...