Triple towing

[NathanL]

The idea of towing more than one, bumper pulled, trailers seem awfully hinky to me. The reason you never see it in commercial use is because of the weight distribution issues and the way the semi trailer is constructed. Whether the tractor is pulling one, two or three trailers, they're all fifth wheel designs. The forward trailer locks into the fifth wheel on the tractor, the remaining ones sit on "joe dogs". The load is not transferred to the trailer in front. With two bumper pulled trailers, the chance of something going awry is just too great and the consequences too frightening for me to even consider it for a moment. I know it's been done and some of you have done it. I have run with scissors and am still here, but there's always next time.

You see it everyday in states that allow it. UPS and FedEX both use double trailers that are basically bumper pulls that hitches onto the rear of the trailer in front but they have a front axle.

I've done it lots of times when I head out west, hook up the RV and the boat behind it. Never had a problem. Once you get where you are going you unhook the back trailer and backup the front trailer and then do the same to the back trailer. I see it nearly everyday here. About 2 months ago I saw a guy in a jeep pulling 2 tear drops in tandem going to the state park here.

Places that deliver boats, utility trailers and RV's bumper pull end to end everyday of the week in states that allow it. When BassCat delivered my boat to me they had 2 being pulled end to end and a 3rd boat on a custom rig that pulled the 20' rigged out bass boat onto the top of the 1 ton dually they were using.

[wagondude]

This is legal in Kansas as well. I don't know how your laws are set up, but in KS, the front trailer has to be heavier than the rear trailer and Must be equiped with active brakes (no surge brakes allowed). While not required, it is also strongly suggested that the rear trailer also be equiped with brakes. You will want to load a little more tongue heavy than normal to compensate for the tongue weight of the rear trailer trying to lever the front trailer light. Just remember that the total combitation will be limeted by the ratings of the TV and probably total length of the combined units (including the TV). If you are close on length, removing the outboard from the boat may make the difference

[CarlLaFong]

You see it everyday in states that allow it. UPS and FedEX both use double trailers that are basically bumper pulls that hitches onto the rear of the trailer in front but they have a front axle.

Nope. Those are as I described, earlier. Semi trailers hitched to joe dogs. Completely different set of dynamics. There is no weight load from the rear trailer being transferred to the front trailer. A setup like that is not going to sway or pitch around if the weight bias is off. The only hitch weight is the weight of the tongue

[NathanL]

Hence why I said they have an axle in the front of the trailer, which still makes it tandem towing.

You still see RV delivery trucks tandem towing bumper pulled RV's of up to 35' or so everyday. Like I said you see it often in states that allow. I have pulled my 25' bumper pulled trailer with the boat behind it all over the country...but typically only do it when I am going to be out west for a few weeks otherwise it's not worth it.

[CarlLaFong]

Hence why I said they have an axle in the front of the trailer, which still makes it tandem towing.

Ergo, that is why I said it's a different set of dynamics. You're comparing apples with oranges. Pulling double semi trailers is a whole different kettle of fish.
You can pull whatever you please. All I said is that I am not in love with the idea and would not do it. That's me. Others may have differing views

[Hillmann]

Here is what is required to tow two trailers in Wisconsin.

GOOD NEWS – Wisconsin has eliminated the requirement for a special permit to authorize towing two trailers for
recreational use by passage of Act 59 of 2011. You may now operate a three vehicle combination for recreational
purposes, without a permit, as long as you meet the following requirements:
Basics -
• Combination is made up of a registered power unit and two towed vehicles.
• No vehicle in the combination is longer than 45’ or taller than 13’06” or wider than 8’06” – except that a motor
home used as a power unit has specified additional width for appurtenances installed by the manufacturer or
dealer, i.e.,
ƒ 6 inches on the driver’s side and/or 4 inches on the passenger side installed at least 8 feet
above the road.
• Total combination length does not exceed 65 feet.
• No vehicle in the combination is overweight.
• No operation during bad weather or poor road conditions due to weather or other conditions affecting visibility
and safety.
Authorized Combination –
• Towing vehicle followed by a-
o recreational vehicle (towed vehicle, with rigid walls, intended for human habitation) or
o camping trailer (towed vehicle, with collapsible or folding sides, intended for human habitation)
o followed by a trailer that is either empty or loaded with any of the following vehicles –
ƒ Boat, bicycle, moped, motor bicycle, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, sailboard,
personal watercraft or electric personal assistive mobility device.
• Unless structurally infeasible, the lightest towed vehicle must be the last vehicle in the combination.
Brakes -
• If the combined weight of both towed vehicles exceeds 3,000 lbs, at least one of the towed vehicles must
have operating brakes.

So it looks like it is pretty much limited to towing a camper and then some type of toy behind the camper. Since both my trailers combined will be around #1000 fully loaded it will actually be lighter the the camper I am towing now. Also since the weight is low neither of my trailers need brakes which is good since neither of them have brakes. I think I will end up welding a receiver hitch on the back of my camper and see how it tows. If the trailers begin to sway or I feel uncomfortable towing both of them I will give up on the idea of towing two trailers.

With that said the way I found out that it was legal to tow two trailers in Wisconsin was by seeing someone do it very dangerously. They had a Ford Explore with five adults in it, the rear cargo area was stacked to the roof. They were towing a 20 something foot travel trailer causing the rear of the explore to look like the suspension was bottomed out and behind the camper they were towing a large fiberglass power boat. I think the camper alone was more than the 3000 pounds the explored was rated for. I can't imagine how they made it up some of the hills that were a ahead of them.

[wagondude]

I can't suggest strongly enough that you at least put brakes on the camper. If you do start to sway, the brakes on the trailer may save your life. Don't be like the folks you witnessed.

[Richard A.]

And now that I think about it I wonder if my car can power 3 sets of break lights, 3 sets of tail lights and 3 sets of blinkers without heating up the wire or causing the bulbs to dim out.

Equipping the trailers with LED lights should take care of that concern.

[Richard A.]

To check you need to be at towing height don't just lay the coupler on the scale raise the scale to the towing height then place the coupler on the scale.

It would be a LOT easier to place some sort of brace, the correct height (like a cut piece of 2x4) on the scale to support the coupler. Then just subtract the weight of the brace from the final reading.

[Redgloves]

Last evening I was on I 90 in eastern Minnesota saw a class c motor home pulling a Jeep pulling a small utility trailer loaded with a motorcycle.

Did not see license plates. First time I have seen a motor home triple pulling. Have seen trucks, fifth wheel, and boats in the past.

Jean

[DriverOne]

If you triple tow, you MUST use a sway assistance tow package on your camper. Otherwise wind will make things really bad for you. You're basically making the trailer an extension of the tow vehicle to stabilize the third trailer. Take spares for both the trailers, and practice pulling on country roads before you hit the interstate. Also, don't forget that your swing now needs to accommodate for both trailers. LED lights will definitely help, but you only need tail lights on the final trailer.