RV Doubles

showcrop · Aug 2, 2011

Yesterday I saw a motor home with a trailer behind it. Not that big a deal although it was a pretty large trailer. Then behind the trailer was a small car in tow. I know that RVs are exempt from many rules that apply to trucks, but that seems like a long set-up especially for the narrow road that I saw it on. I go down the road now and then with a tractor with a baler and wagon behind. but only for short distances.

DScott · Aug 2, 2011

I don't know the legalities but I see some pick up trucks pulling two trailers on the interstate from time to time here in Tennessee so I assume it's OK. I have a two wheel sulky that I pull behind my goose neck trailer sometimes and I have never had a problem but I have never gone over 50 miles from home or been on the interstate much. I have it on a good hitch, it has lights and safety chains but I am not sure about the two trailers thing being kosher.

dhamps10 · Aug 2, 2011

You can pull 1 item behind 5th wheel, but not ball hitch.

old · Aug 2, 2011

In Missouri it is very common to see things like a pick up with 2 pontoon boat/trailers leaving the boat factory's like Tracker marine in Lebanon MO and those get long. Some even piggy back a trailer on the truck with a bass boat on them. In Missouri they have D.O.T. laws for doubles and triples I know because I have that on my CDL. Oh and those pontoon set ups are on ball hitches

john in la · Aug 2, 2011

RV's are NOT exempt from double rules but they are seldom stopped.

The federal minimum standard (some states allow more) for the National Highway System is...
Two trailers are allowed; each trailer must be 28 ft or less. There is no maximum overall length.

Once you get off the national highway system state rules apply. In most states that means no doubles; and no trailers over 96 inches wide.

But how many of you have ever broken the law by pulling a 102 wide tractor hauling trailer off the national highway system. Most likely everyone that owns one. Most do not even know they are breaking the law.

400Dtractorman · Aug 3, 2011

I live in Maryland and some roads, not many, say no 102 trailers, same as Pa and Del. Never heard of a state law forbidding 102 wides for the complete state.

smallercrawler · Aug 3, 2011

Towingworld.com (towing tips submenu)has a spreadsheet detailing various towing laws by state. Not sure how current it is or how well it integrates with new FMCSA/USDOT regs. Would check other camper/towing/state DOT sites for specifics, although as some have stated written law vs. roadside enforcement interpretation seems to vary considerably. Might not hurt to print out documents as they apply to your situation and carry them in vehicle, although I wouldn't discuss them with roadside enforcement personnel in an adversarial manner.
Untitled URL Link

MSM · Aug 3, 2011

I've seen alot of really dumb things while traveling this summer. The worst was a big pusher motor home pulling a crew cab dually,which had a 25-30 ft boat behind it. Both the truck and the boat had boxes,bikes,camping gear and a full size barbecue grill just piled in them not tied down. He was running about 65 as unconcerned as can be with the boat swaying 5 ft side to side. Need to bring the rv's under the dot laws as far as I'm concerned.

john in la · Aug 4, 2011

I really do not know Maryland law. They may allow 102 wide trailers off the National Highway System. Like I said state law applies.

On the Nat Hwy system states have no control. They must allow doubles; 102 wide; and 53 ft long. That is federal law. It was passed years ago.

The federal government was pushed by some real big companies (LTL) that made mega contributions to the right people to get doubles nationwide. Some states complained so access was limited to what we know today as the Nat Hwy System. At the same time they increased single trailer size to 53 ft by 102 wide. Access was also allowed 3 miles from the system to reach terminals.
That is the federal law and it still stands today.

Over the years everyone has slowly gone to 102 wide. Boats; RV's; and just about every semi trailer on the road. As these became more popular the 3 mile access limit was stretched just from use and non enforcement.
Ga use to have signs on every exit off the interstate at the 3 mile point but I do not know if they still do.

Follow the link to maps of the Nat Hwy System.
National Highway System

Anonymous-0 · Aug 7, 2011

ya really want to pis- them off pull a double with a motorcycle. we pull a camper and cargo trailer when we camp [camper has brakes]. been stopped but never given a ticket. they can't find any rules that say i can't or any that i can

mkirsch · Aug 7, 2011

Depends on the state. Some don't allow doubles at all. Some require the front trailer be a 5th wheel or gooseneck, and the second trailer can only be a boat. Some states allow any combination.

There are only a couple of states where a bumper pull trailer and a car would be a legal double-tow combination. Odds are you weren't in one of them.

Wouldn't be the first time people ignored, or were ignorant of the law and managed to get away with it for years and years... If they do get pulled over, they probably manage to talk their way out of a ticket with some hard-luck story

Brian Jasper co. Ia · Aug 15, 2011

Just because you can doesn't mean you should...

ambry farms in MI · Aug 16, 2011

Three questions....
Is that where the mother in law rides on the way to the show?

Why wont that forecart fit on the trailer?

Wheres the horses?

Bryan

RV Doubles

showcrop

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DScott

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old

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john in la

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MSM

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