Double towing with a fiver!

[Jim&Peggy]

I am under the impression that double towing is illegal in most States. Am I wrong, again??

[campswithcritters]

Buy a Trailerlife directory, in the front section are towing laws for 50 states plus Canada. It will tell where double tows are legal and total length limits.

[Jim&Peggy]

Thanks for reminding me about the Trailer Life Directory {our Bible}. I do have it, but never paid much attention to the referenced section. It looks like if you wade thru all the caveats, it is legal in most States. Thanks for the reference,----Regards---Jim

[Traveler II]

Can you add a receiver to the back of a Cardinal? Looking at the frame it looks to me that you would really need to beef it up to add a 2” receiver. Has anyone done it?
Thanks

[PhilM]

It is legal in Calif. so long as you have a commercial class a with doubles endorsements and a current med certificate.

We put a 2" reciever on ours. We boxed in the frame past the axles, and then cross braced the frames so that it does not twist or flex. i usually tow a small 3 rail dirt bike trailer unless I am towing in states that this is illegal (Oregon). Then I have a bike hauler slid in the reciever and away we go.

[Traveler II]

Just out of curiosity what is the approximate cost to have something like that added?

[campswithcritters]

Just out of curiosity what is the approximate cost to have something like that added?

I paid just over $400 for a very heavy duty custom hitch manufactured and installed. It's been holding a carrier and 350lb motorcycle for over a year and a bunch of miles on some rough roads. Beware that you likely void your frame warranty by doing this, I was willing to risk it to bring the bike along.

[Traveler II]

That’s expensive but I’d like to take my wife’s small scooter alone with us. Last year I put it the back of the truck, but it would be far easier if we could use the ramp/carry we used on our MH, but it fits into a 2” receiver.

[ratherbcamping]

Double towing is illegal in New York state.

[PhilM]

Just out of curiosity what is the approximate cost to have something like that added?

Mine was about $90 for the hitch, $20 for the electrical stuff and about $50 in steel. I did the labor so I dont know what a shop would charge.

[Chief409]

When I checked the Forest River site I saw the new "Birds are coming equipped with factory installed receiver hitches, I think as an option. They have a 350# hitch weight/3500# trailer weight "without voiding the warranty". Anyone have one of these, or know if these units have the same frame as the older models.

I also checked with the California Highway Patrol on double towing and looked at the Commercial Driver Licence (CDL) requirements a couple of months ago. Having a CDL, at least in California, means there are much stricter requirements on the driver, like Driving While Impaired, speeding, etc. Also these apply at all times, even if you are driving a passenger vehicle. The CHP Captain in charge of Vehicle Code Enforcement in Sacramento, who replied to my inquiry also said they are actively enforcing the CDL requirement for RVers pulling doubles, so it isn't a good idea thinking you can ignore it, at least in California. In my observations, enforcement is generally with blue lights appearing in your mirrors, and leaving the offending trailer on the shoulder of the road, plus the ticket and fine, not at the AG Inspection station entering the state.

[dfredendall]

I have a factory installed receiver on my 2007 5th wheel. I paid $550 when I ordered the trailer. Seemed a bit expensive when I did it, but I figured it was worth every penny to have a factory hitch made by Lippert when they made the frame. I also had them provide the 4 wire pig tail for the second trailer connection. They did a nice job. It came with the same warranty. I did it to tow watercraft on a second trailer. As Jeff writes from his research in Calif., I now have a commercial driver's license with a doubles endorsement. The fun part of the driving test was parallel parking the fiver in a space 12 feet wide and 10 feet longer than the trailer. The tow vehicle did not have to be against the "curb". They are simulating a side door loading dock. Takes practice, as you cannot exit your vehicle to check status. Calif. restricts over-all length of the rig, and has size limits on the trailers if you exceed 65' total length. The first trailer has to be a fifth wheel per Calif. Vehicle Code. My buddy has towed this same config. since 1996 in Calif. and has never been stopped. Trick is to drive around the speed limit. What a concept! I have had great success towing this way for nearly two years. Backing up more than 100 feet is challenging, if not near impossible. Dead end roads are not your friends. Even if I was not towing double, I would still get the receiver for traveling secure with a bike rack, and such. I had not considered a wheel chair platform, but it is a good idea.