Double towing?

[DMart187]

Towing do's and donts
I have a question for you guys who know towing laws and safety

Today I saw a truck towing two vehicles on an 18 foot trailer one was loaded on the deck and the other was loaded with two wheels on the deck and two on the ground. The guy used the end of the trailer as a car dolly with tow brake lights on its trunk. I dont see any more stress on then second car then there would be by a tow truck or car dolly. Is it legal and or safe if properly strapped and trailer brakes in good working condition?

[colo_dually]

For CO, I don't believe that's legal. A car dolly can be used, but it must be designed for it. This sounds like someone cutting corners and not buying the right trailer for a job. If the back of that deck is meant to be a dolly, that's another story. This is not something I would have done under any circumstance, turning would be my main concern, followed closely by axle weights and load distribution. Brakes on the trailer wouldn't make it any safer, if the truck can't stop that load by itself in the event the trailer brakes fail.

Also, in CO you are not authorized to tow multiple trailers. I'm not sure if the car hanging off the back could be considered a second trailer or not.

[1snakedoc]

i see that done all the time. not sure i would.

[StarDriver]

It's illegal and an accident waiting to happen, but since they're not commerical, the DOT looks the other way till the back car falls off and runs into a school bus full of kids. Plus wait till the coupler gets some wear on it and they hit a bump and lose the trailer.

[Deere Diesel Man]

Originally Posted by StarDriver

It's illegal and an accident waiting to happen, but since they're not commerical, the DOT looks the other way till the back car falls off and runs into a school bus full of kids. Plus wait till the coupler gets some wear on it and they hit a bump and lose the trailer.

Not to really but I believe I saw your truck come through my area. Truck looked clean and sharp

[linehaul]

you can tow doubles in co, but hanging off back of of trailer
State Towing Laws for RVs

State Towing Laws

check these out

[WD40]

Originally Posted by linehaul

you can tow doubles in co, but hanging off back of of trailer
State Towing Laws for RVs

State Towing Laws

check these out

Just wanted to say Thanks for posting.
Doug

[CodyLX450]

I believe the legal issue would be how far the load extended from the rear most axle on the trailer. I don't know if it varies state to state or is Federal - but I've heard max is 11' past the rear trailer axle.

I think tow trucks get away with having one vehicle on the rollback and one on the stinger because the tow truck is a straight truck, so the stinger vehicle is seen as a single trailer item.

The other problem with so much "Trailer" behind the rear axle is in turning. You steer to clear your rear wheels around a turn and then plow the additional length into a car or object as it wouldn't clear the turn.

[StarDriver]

Originally Posted by Deere Diesel Man

Not to really but I believe I saw your truck come through my area. Truck looked clean and sharp

The little truck (F-350/24ft enclosed) or the big one? I was up in your area with the little one a few weeks ago taking one up to Lake Toxaway.

[StarDriver]

Originally Posted by CodyLX450

I believe the legal issue would be how far the load extended from the rear most axle on the trailer. I don't know if it varies state to state or is Federal - but I've heard max is 11' past the rear trailer axle.

I think tow trucks get away with having one vehicle on the rollback and one on the stinger because the tow truck is a straight truck, so the stinger vehicle is seen as a single trailer item.

The other problem with so much "Trailer" behind the rear axle is in turning. You steer to clear your rear wheels around a turn and then plow the additional length into a car or object as it wouldn't clear the turn.

1. The trailer isn't designed to handle a load like that.
2. With the vehicle weight of the second vehicle behind the rear axles of the trailer, it's gonna be a handful, if not flat dangerous to drive.
3. It could now make the trailer overweight. (Which if there is an accident and this tow unit is at fault, the money you think you saved by doing this will last about 30 seconds with the lawyer you need to NOT get sued into oblivion.)

Buy the RIGHT trailer for the job or don't do it.