Towing a Fifth Wheel and a Boat
If you are a fifth wheel owner who also wants to bring a boat along on your trip, you are faced with a dilemma. Do you take two trips, expending double the time and effort to get both your RV and your boat to the campsite? Do you purchase a second tow vehicle just for the boat, or borrow someone else’s vehicle? While some fifth wheels are also toy haulers and have cargo space to fit a small boat, even then certain boats are too large and some toy haulers don’t have enough space. One alternative is to tow both your fifth wheel and your boat. While this option has its own difficulties, it solves many of the problems associated with the other methods. To see if towing a fifth wheel and a boat at the same time is for you, read this guide put together by the experts at The Outpost RV.
State Law
The first thing you should consider before you attempt towing multiple things at once, aka triple towing, is your state’s laws. Since towing two units rather than one is obviously more complicated and potentially risky, laws naturally tend to be more restrictive when it comes to this kind of towing. Some states do not allow triple towing under any circumstances, while others allow it but place restrictions on your total length.
Other states only allow triple towing if the first towed vehicle uses a fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch. Others require that you have special clearance on your driver’s license in order to legally triple tow. Obviously, if your trip will take you to different states, you will need to know and follow their rules regarding triple towing as well, so be sure to do your research.
Consider Size
Regardless of the law, you still cannot tow safely if any part of your unit is overloaded. Make sure that every part of your setup can handle the weight, including your tow vehicle, your fifth wheel, and any and all hitches involved in towing. Towing two units at once will undoubtedly bring your total weight to above 1,500 pounds, meaning that you will need to install a tow break if you do not already have one, as well as breakaway chains. If any part of your setup will be overloaded, you will have to change your approach. Do not exceed the recommended weight limit under any circumstances.
Other Drivers
When triple towing, you need to be even more careful than you would be if you were only hauling your fifth wheel. The extra weight of the fifth wheel alone forces the driver to change how they drive, so adding a boat into the mix makes things even more complicated. Make sure that you are increasing your following distance so that you have enough time to stop safely. Your vehicle in the very back – the boat – will offtrack more than your tow vehicle or fifth wheel, so you will have to get used to how your unit turns. The added length will also make merging more difficult because you most likely won’t be able to see all the way to the back of the unit. Make sure that you are being mindful of this, and consider installing a backup camera to help you keep an eye on things. Overall, we highly recommend that you practice somewhere safe before setting off on your first trip.
While towing both a boat and a fifth wheel at the same time can be challenging, the right know-how and an appropriate amount of caution will see you through. For more information, or to view our selection of fifth wheel models, visit The Outpost RV at our dealership in Middlebury, Indiana. Our friendly staff is ready to welcome guests from all over, including those from communities like Kalamazoo, Michigan.