trailer question

[rnjsahrp]

i have a quick question i have a 82 starcraft popup my question is how hard or can you even out a hitch on the back ofthe popup trailer i was thinking of puttin a hitch on the back to haul a 4x8 trailr with a fourwheeler on it or a motorcyle carrier that slides in the hitch has any body ever donthis and how did it work and how hard was it to do any info on this would be great sorry for all the  question but i just got this popup and am new to the popup world i was tent camping before this thanks again

[ScoobyDoo]

Pulling tandam might work if your PUP had NO sway at all,I wouldn't try and please don't meet me on a narrow road.
  I don't know how heavy of motercycle you want to hang on the back but by the time you get enough of a load on the front to counterbalence it you will be so far overloaded your trailer frame will probably bend if the axle doesn't.
   Put your toyes in the truck.

[mike4947]

Only one manufacturer for one year ever put an OEM receiver on the back of a Pop Up. Complaints and warranty claims stopped that fast.
The frames are not designed for the stresses, and tongue weight becomes a severe issue even with a bike rack much less a trailer hanging off the back.
Not to mention backing up is as close to immposible as you can get.

[TheViking]

I'd check the laws in your state, most states it is illegal unless you are pulling a 5'er and have another trailer behind it.  But you can't tandem trailers when the first trailer is bumper/Rear Hitch attached here in California and in Arizona.

[AustinBoston]

I'd check the laws in your state, most states it is illegal unless you are pulling a 5'er and have another trailer behind it.  But you can't tandem trailers when the first trailer is bumper/Rear Hitch attached here in California and in Arizona.

I have to agree with TheViking on this.  Two trailers is allowed here in Minnesota, but the first must be a 5th wheel, and the second must be a boat, and over a certain weight, equipped with surge brakes.

Austin

[ScoobyDoo]

You might get a gosseneck to haul toys, hook pup to that. Have fun!

[rnjsahrp]

thanks for yall the advice i live in texas and its allowed here and ive seen it done the motorcycle is not that heavy its a little 65cc id put the big one in the back of the truck an the four wheeler is not that heavy either but thanks for all the advice im new to this and have nottryed it but have seen it done before

[AustinBoston]

thanks for yall the advice i live in texas and its allowed here and ive seen it done the motorcycle is not that heavy its a little 65cc id put the big one in the back of the truck an the four wheeler is not that heavy either but thanks for all the advice im new to this and have nottryed it but have seen it done before

From the Texas Driver's Handbook (2004 was the latest version I found on-line):

Page 85:
5. Vehicle Combinations. No passenger vehicle or other motor vehicle with an unloaded weight of less than 2,500 pounds may be coupled with more than one other vehicle or towing device. If the unloaded weight is 2,500 pounds or more, then no more than three vehicles or towing devices may be operated in a combination.

If it's a passenger vehicle, no second trailer.

Every other mention of towing two or more trailers is in the CDL section of the manual.  

Seeing someone else do it does not mean:
1) That it's legal.  I've seen people drive drunk.  Doesn't make it legal (or safe).
2) That the driver did not have a CDL (with the T endorsement).  Just because it's legal for them doesn't mean it's legal for you.  Without the T endorsement, it's not legal for a Texas CDL to tow two or more trailers.
3) That you saw what you *think* you saw.  Are you sure the first trailer wasn't on a gooseneck or 5th wheel?
4) That a particular combination is safe.  When you apply weight to the back of a tow-ball hitched trailer, you remove tongue weigth from the hitch.  Sufficient tongue weight is essential to prevent trailer sway.

Occasionally, people ask questions here in order to justify their bad decisions.  When they don't get the answers they want, they get defensive (and usually go away angry).  But we are trying to tell you the truth, not tick you off.  It's up to you whether or not you will listen.

Good luck, and may God be with you.

Austin

[TheViking]

Occasionally, people ask questions here in order to justify their bad decisions. When they don't get the answers they want, they get defensive (and usually go away angry). But we are trying to tell you the truth, not tick you off. It's up to you whether or not you will listen.
 
Good luck, and may God be with you.
 Austin

 
I have to agree with you AB.   Someone will ask if they can pull a 8000 pound trailer with a Volkswagen Beetle, and when they get the (Obvious) answer they almost always say they have seen it done, or they know someone that did it.  Makes me nuts!

[wavery]

I have to agree with you AB.   Someone will ask if they can pull a 8000 pound trailer with a Volkswagen Beetle, and when they get the (Obvious) answer they almost always say they have seen it done, or they know someone that did it.  Makes me nuts!

What's wrong with pulling an 8000# trailer with a VW Beetle :confused:

I would just recommend that the guy remove the stock Beetle floor pan and replace it with a 3" 40gg chromoly, tig welded, tube frame. Install (at least) a 350cu in V8 in front (I've seen it done). Add a truck front & rear suspension, wheels, tires and drive train (modified to size of course). Install a HD power disc disc brake system to the front. Of course, this rather short frame would require a WDH. This could also be overcome by adding a section to the VW body. You could even make it a 4dr and still capture that original Beetle flavor (I've seen them stretched into 6 dr limos). You may want to consider installing a step to get into the vehicle (do to added height)..... and whalla......you have a trailer haulin' monster VW Beetle :yikes: . This could probably be accomplished for under $100K. The draw back may be registering this thing as a truck. I'm sure that could be accomplished at some additional expense though (consult an attorney, ooops more $). Then call your insurance company and be prepared to fork over a couple $K per year for that thing. They may qualify it as a competition vehicle.

The other draw back may be the lack of passenger compartment and additional storage space.

This rig would surely be a big hit at every campgrounds that you visit .

BTW, I wouldn't try towing tandum with this rig.......ooooh...could get ugly :p

See..no need to "go nuts" :banghead: . Just think "Out-of-the-box" :J

[mach8274]

If you decide to tow tandem with a pu, let me know when you come to North Carolina so that I can GET OFF THE ROAD!!!! I don't want to be anywhere near that thing. Totally unsafe.

[brainpause]

Don't do it.

Larry

[tlhdoc]

This past summer in West Ocean City, MD I saw a pick up truck pulling a TT and the trailer was pulling a small boat/trailer.

[SpeakEasy]

Was the boat pulling anything? Like a skier or parasailer maybe??

(JK)

 :p

[dthurk]

Was the boat pulling anything? Like a skier or parasailer maybe??

(JK)

 :p

Or a kid on roller blades.