Adding hitch to trailer??

[boxergirl]

We picked up our Coyote today, really excited.  Just one problem, need to haul dirt bikes and our f150 bed is too short and don't think we can leave the tailgate down while towing.... so I got on the internet and found a swivel trailer that can attach to the hitch of your truck or whatever and has one wheel at the back that takes the weight off the hitch.  It moves with the vehicle, its not a regular trailer so you never have to worry about it jack knifing. Its called a swivelwheel trailer. Its pretty neat.   Anyway, to do this I will have to put a hitch on our TT.  A class 3.  Is that possible?  Any info will be appreciated... thanks again, KIM

[dthurk]

I would suspect it would be illegal in most places.  Besides, even with the extra wheel, you will still add weight to the back of your camper, reducing tongue weight, contributing to dangerous sway conditions.  It would be REALLY scary experiencing sway with a second towed trailer in the mix.  Just can't imagine that.  You most likely would be risking the your safety, that of your family, others on the road as well as the health of the dirt bikes.  I would recommend against doing this.

[AustinBoston]

We picked up our Coyote today, really excited.  Just one problem, need to haul dirt bikes and our f150 bed is too short and don't think we can leave the tailgate down while towing.... so I got on the internet and found a swivel trailer that can attach to the hitch of your truck or whatever and has one wheel at the back that takes the weight off the hitch.  It moves with the vehicle, its not a regular trailer so you never have to worry about it jack knifing. Its called a swivelwheel trailer. Its pretty neat.   Anyway, to do this I will have to put a hitch on our TT.  A class 3.  Is that possible?  Any info will be appreciated... thanks again, KIM

Most places that allow dual trailers require the first to be a 5th wheel.  Many also require that the second trailer be a boat, and that the second trailer have an independent braking system (a.k.a. a second electrical brake controller or surge brakes).

Your little utility trailer isn't going to have brakes.

Kim, please don't take this part personally:

One thing I have never understood is why people make major purchases without knowing if they will work as intended.  A geat example is our current fridge.  We got it cheap because someone bought it without measuring the space in the cabinets.  Delivery day came, and it won't fit.  Good for us, bad for them.  I see it here from time to time in the form of jury-rigged solutions that would be unnecessary with a little more planning.

Austin

[TXpopper]

I keep hearing the comment that to pull a trailer on trailer that the first needs to be a 5th wheel, so I called the Department of Public Safety here in TX to ask what the exact rules are.  In Texas you are allowed to pull up to two trailers, and they can both be bumper hitch type, provided you do not exceed 65 ft in total length from the front of the tow vehicle to the back of the last trailer.  No special drivers license is required.  I had a neighbor in CA, and he pulled a ski boat behind his toy trailer all the time, and I'm pretty sure his toy trailer was a bumper hitch also, but will not swear to it.  It would be interesting if someone would compile a list of the actual requirements by state, rather than making general statements.  I do agree that you need to make sure that all the vehicles and trailers are all within their weight ratings, and loaded properly.

boxergirl, there are bolt on hitches, (Curt Manufacturing RV Bumper Hitch, Model# E-100).  I bought one from Northerntool.com, but they are available at many locations, provided your rear bumper is 4" x 4"

[AustinBoston]

I keep hearing the comment that to pull a trailer on trailer that the first needs to be a 5th wheel, so I called the Department of Public Safety here in TX to ask what the exact rules are.  In Texas you are allowed to pull up to two trailers, and they can both be bumper hitch type, provided you do not exceed 65 ft in total length from the front of the tow vehicle to the back of the last trailer.

Since we don't know where boxergirl is, this can be misleading information.  The fact is 32 states allow two trailers, which means 18 states do not allow them at all.  We (including you) have no way of knowing if she lives in a state that does not allow two trailers.  Since I've been through this discussion before, I could have told you that Texas does not require a 5th-wheel, but it does requre:

[INDENT]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.[/INDENT]

There are plenty of people here towing with vehicles under 2500 lbs. EMPTY.

I had a neighbor in CA, and he pulled a ski boat behind his toy trailer all the time, and I'm pretty sure his toy trailer was a bumper hitch also, but will not swear to it.

California requires that the first hitch ball be larger than the second ball, that the second trailer be a boat, and that the driver have a Recreational Class A license with double endorsement.  If he had the special license, he was probably legal.

Arizona, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Oklahoma and Michigan are among the states that require the first trailer to be a 5th wheel.  (There are others; I was unable to find a complete list, only one of those I found listed included Minnesota even though it's been in every Minnesota driver's manual since at least 2003, possibly much longer.  No list included Oklahoma, but I found it by searching the OK driver's license manual.)

Oregon and Wisconsin require special permits.

The restrictions go on and on.  I have seen several such lists.  All of them tag several states as having additional restrictions, without telling what the restrictions are.

This is one area where state-to-state reciprocity does not apply.  If you cross state lines, you have to comply with that state's rules.  That rules out nearly all out-of-state RV towers from towing two trailers in California; I don't know of another state that has an RV Class A license with two-trailer endorsement.

Sugesting "Texas allows it so it must be OK" is both misleading and potentially dangerous when some numbskull towing with a microvan builds his own little road train because he saw it on Arvee Club.

boxergirl, there are bolt on hitches, (Curt Manufacturing RV Bumper Hitch, Model# E-100). I bought one from Northerntool.com, but they are available at many locations, provided your rear bumper is 4" x 4"

Another fine example.  I have never seen a pop-up bumper that would not be crushed by such a device.

Austin

[TXpopper]

Austin-
The question was if a hitch was available.  I only answered that question.  Also, I indicated requirements are different state to state, and it would be a good collection of information to have the requirements for each state.  The original post indicated they were towing with a Ford F-150, which is capable tow vehicle, so that was not an issue.  I also stated that all weights and loading should be followed.  If the poster conforms with their state laws, and any state they plan to travel to, and are willing to modify their vehicles to conform to those laws, why should you be so bitter about this?  You seem to have very strong opinions which you want everyone else to follow.  Well, I don't like slow cars in the fast lane, and I don't like mini van drivers, so I want everyone else to not like these things too.

[AustinBoston]

Austin-
The question was if a hitch was available.  I only answered that question.  Also, I indicated requirements are different state to state, and it would be a good collection of information to have the requirements for each state.  The original post indicated they were towing with a Ford F-150, which is capable tow vehicle, so that was not an issue.  I also stated that all weights and loading should be followed.  If the poster conforms with their state laws, and any state they plan to travel to, and are willing to modify their vehicles to conform to those laws, why should you be so bitter about this?  You seem to have very strong opinions which you want everyone else to follow.  Well, I don't like slow cars in the fast lane, and I don't like mini van drivers, so I want everyone else to not like these things too.

OK, another case where I read what I wanted to without paying attention to what you actually said.  Sorry 'bout that, TXpopper.

Austin

[dthurk]

I would think that the overriding question here is would it be safe.  We can beat on the legalities all we want (which, most likely would limit you to the state of residence), but what would be universal from state to state would be the laws of physics.  Better not break one of those.

[flyfisherman]

In this neck of the woods from what I've observed is that most of the trailer towning behind an RV has been by motor homes, in fact every other one has something ... a car, a boat or just an enclosed utility trailer. Also, out on the x-ways of North & South Carolina I see the 18 wheelers towing another cargo trailer every so often.

This question (debate) has come up here from time to time.  At first I thought towing something behind a popup was out of the question and then someone from Texas posted a photo showing a example of same, and maybe that was on an older PopupTimes board.

Strickly speaking for myself, towing one trailer at a time is plenty. With all the zipping in and out of traffic by some drivers has me on constant vigil ... I'd be a nervous wreck towing two at one time!


Fly

[wavery]

our f150 bed is too short and don't think we can leave the tailgate down while towing....

boxergirl,

I'm just curious....Why do you think you can't tow with the T/G opened? Is it a clearance issue or legal issue?

I would think that it would be much easier, less expensive and a heck of a lot safer to extend your trailer hitch to accommodate the extra clearance than to go to that dolly contraption or towing multiple trailers.

I see short bed pickups with bikes in the back, T/G down and towing trailers in California all the time. I don't know if it's legal here or wherever you are but it sure seems a LOT safer than what you are thinking of doing. I just can't imagine that it would be illegal, as long as the load is secured in the P/U bed and it doesn't extend 3' past the rear bumper. JMHO

[bpike]

If I were in that situation, I'd look into one of these.
http://www.joehauler.com/

That way there is no 2nd trailer being pulled. You can put a receiver hitch on the back of the pop up and have your bikes at the same time.

[wavery]

If I were in that situation, I'd look into one of these.
http://www.joehauler.com/

That way there is no 2nd trailer being pulled. You can put a receiver hitch on the back of the pop up and have your bikes at the same time.

IMO that's a much better option....However, you may also need to add air bags to your rear springs. They are adjustable and cost less than $200 for most vehicles.