I'm tired of a slide in camper and want to get a 5er but I also have a 4500# 24' boat that I tow. I live in Idaho where it is legal to pull doubles. I need to know how big or small should the 5er be to be able and pull the boat behind it?

 

The law in TX is 65feet. So i would check your local DPS.

 

I got the total length figured out, I was wondering more about the weight and length of the 5er verses weight and length of the boat behind it--- does it matter?

 

well to start you need a class "A" license with a doubles endorsement.. then the overall length of the combination may not be more than 65' and each trailer may not be more than 28'6"....

 

i dont know about other states but i see doubles beening pulled here in tx all the time



on the 5er u need to keep a 25% pin weight on you truck with a 10-15% on the boat pin. you will also need to fine out if your 5er is rated to pull a boat behind it most 5er are not rated to have a trailer behind them. i have seen some with small car behind but a small car is not pulling any pin weight on the trailer witch is what will be your biggest consern


other than that u will be ok Lol

 

Not sure that is correct in this part of the country. Mind you I am coming from a class 8 background but I think it applies here. In the NW you are allowed 68' from the front of the first trailer to the back of the second trailer. The front trailer max allowable length is 40'. I know that is legal in ID and MT since the company I work for pulls doubles to those states on occasion. Not sure how they view recreational doubles as far as license. Not legal to pull recreation doubles in either OR or WA.

RR

 

Up here it is illegal but you see guys doin' it all the time. I called the DOT office and they said it wasn,t a major concern but should they be stopped or in an accident they would be charged. In B.C. it is illegal and enforced, as is pulling a tandem axle trailer with a car 1/2 ton or SUV.

 

Here in Idaho we are allowed 75' length unless the road is restricted, then it's 65'. What I would like to know is if the 5er should be heavier and longer than the boat behind it. Common sense says it should but does it really matter?

 

Is that overall length or trailer length?

Class 8 doubles the front box has to be the heaviest one. I don't think the weigh master would holler if the rear was only slightly heavier but any great amount they will for sure.

 

I tow a 40 foot 5th wheel with a 14 foot jetskii trailer - I don't like to run longer than that - I don't want troubles with DOT - UT is 65 ft limit. But they haven't stopped me. I'm 56' long with truck trailer and 70' with the jetskiis.

 

Your biggest problem will be pulling that much weight behind the 5th wheel. Most 5th wheels are not designed to have that much weight behind them. It's a real stess on the frame. It would be wise to call the manufacturer of your 5th wheel.

 

This is what I remember from reading the Commercial hand book (for MS) that the first trailer should be heaver than the second and the second heaver than the third, did not say anything about lenght, but I would think the first trailer would need to be as long if not longer than the second trailer. JMHO

 

I would think it matters. I've double towed with three different fivers and two boats. However, it doesn't take a real long 5er to get over 4500 pounds. Most loaded 25 footers will weigh over 5000. CA is the only state I'm aware of that requires a CDL for recreational doubles, but it would be prudent to double check with your DMV.

 

Backing up must be a bear.

 

I've seen recreationals pulling doubles in Wyoming and not been bothered by WHP. But, they get all excited when they see my double hay trailers!