towing a flotilla

[lncoop]

I have a 21' party barge (Suntracker w/ 90hp motor) and a 14' flatbottom. Often, usually late at night or early in the morning, when I have the family with me for a lake weekend I find myself wishing for my flatbottom, which of course has to be left languishing at home. I have threatened to have a hitch welded on the back of the pontoon trailer so I can pull them both at the same time, but my wife is vehemently opposed, likely because she has much more sense than I do. I'm just wondering though, what does everyone think. Is this a really bad idea? I can't imagine I would have any capacity issues as I tow with a full sized GMC Z71 pickup. To my knowledge it doesn't violate any state laws. I know it would put some stress on the pontoon trailer, but a jon boat and 18hp motor can't weigh that much. I'm kinda serious about this. Thoughts?

 

[Jason641]

Re: towing a flotilla

Some states do allow towing double trailers, however the first trailer has to be a 5th wheel trailer and have brakes, and have enough capacity to cover the weight of the second trailer. so towing 2 boats each with a standard ball hitch wouldn't be legal.

 

[lncoop]

Re: towing a flotilla

Thanks for the response. I finally had to call the highway department to get a definitive answer, but I learned that it is legal to tow two trailers with a standard hitch as long as 1) the combined length of tow vehicle and trailers does not exceed 65', good there, 2) any trailer over 3K lbs GVWR is equipped with its own braking system and break away system. Fine there. However, they specified that the driver must be able to activate the trailer brakes from the tow vehicle. This rule seems open to interpretation. Since surge brakes automatically engage when the brakes are applied in the tow vehicle do they qualify? It would seem so to me, but the officer at AHTD wasn't willing to confirm or deny. I suspect she didn't really understand the mechanics of surge brakes. So, my idea, while perhaps not sane, does at least appear to be legal.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: towing a flotilla

towing 2 boats each with a standard ball hitch wouldn't be legal.

not true... most states allow it and it does not have to be a 5th wheel..... do a search on "double tow" laws... It CAN be done but will require fabrication since you have an engine in the way of hooking up the second... generally if you are able to do it you won't need to ask how.... You would also need to determine if your trailer is up to the job....

The next thing to consider is sway... I double tow often with a 38' 5th wheel in the lead and a jeep in tow.... that setup is very stable ... I double towed with a dune buggy behind a jeep once and those two were all over the road on the downhill sections. Had to go down the hills on straight interstate at under 50 mph to keep the buggy in my lane

with double trailers the second trailer will generally sway about 5 times as far as the first.... so 1" on the lead trailer is 5" on the second.... 4" = 20" and 1' on the first could be 5' on the second... things can get real scary FAST

This is average... longer trailers will sway less and be safe at higher speeds

most of my trips are over 1000 miles which makes it impractical to make two trips.... if your drive is closer to 20 miles you might find it more practical to make two trips....

Another option would be to pull the outboard and load the john under the toon on the same trailer

might be pretty easy

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: towing a flotilla

what they are looking for on the brakes is the ability to apply the trailer brakes without the tow vehicle brakes.... this is done to stop sway... applying the brakes in your truck will make the sway get worse.... So if you are going down a hill too fast and the trailers start swaying... without seperate trailer brake control you can't hit the brake and speed goes up and trailers get WILD...

 

[northernmerc]

Re: towing a flotilla

I agree. It sounds as if you would need a brake controller in the vehicle. If so, you will have to decide if you want to tow the second trailer badly enough to change your trailer's braking system.

 

[JimS123]

Re: towing a flotilla

I have the same problem. I solved it by putting a hitch on my wife's car and she tows the toyboat to the cottage. Then we have both.

PS - she P&M awhile but after she did it once she found out that she didn't even know the trailer was back there so now all is good. I just have to take her out to dinner once during the week....LOL.

 

[jtexas]

Re: towing a flotilla

seems to me the question is a little deeper than "how to tow two boats"...I have just the fishing boat, but essentially the same problem on family camping trips.

When I'm with the family, I want to go fishing; when fishing, I'm missing out on "quality family time". (the daughters don't really want to fish anymore, the wife never did). I guess early mornings just aren't enough for me.

So what I do is: take the family to campgrounds where there isn't a lake, then schedule a separate camping trip just for fishing, just me & the dog. And maybe a nephew or two.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: towing a flotilla

SmokeOn TheWater,
Good Information, and Thanks for explaining the physics involved.

 

[lncoop]

Re: towing a flotilla

Thanks for the input everyone. I guess the old maxim "just because you can do it doesn't mean you should" applies here. Won't tell the boss I've finally given up on the idea because she thinks I gave up on it long ago. Ha! Nah, she knows me too well, but she's a good sport so she just lets me do my thing unless financial disaster or grievous bodily harm appears to be imminent. Happy boating!

 

[dazk14]

Re: towing a flotilla

Why not shoe horn the aluminum boat onto the inside of your party barge.

Of course, if you have helm steering I'm sure you've already ruled out this option.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: towing a flotilla

It CAN be done but will require fabrication since you have an engine in the way of hooking up the second...

hehe, no need to let the engine be a problem, turn it into your solution! Couple seconds with a drill, and a towball through the cavitation plate on the outboard. instant tow bar!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: towing a flotilla

I'm laughing, but not that hard, because I can virtually guarantee that someone in the great state of Arkansas has done that very thing! We call it southern engineering.