Author Topic: pulling doubles????? (Read 13497 times)

Gittinit · « **on:** Oct 27, 2006, 09:55:34 PM »

I have a couple trips planed for this year and want opinions on pulling doubles. Any opinions from people who have done this before would be greatly appreciated. I will be towing with a healthy 1/2 ton gmc. I want to tow my toy on trailer with a small pop up behind that. I have never done it before but I think my truck is up to the task. I currently don't have my trailer brakes hooked up for my trailer, yet but I think I should before I attempt it.

UPDATE 10/31/06 I'm not gonna do it!!! If you have any experince or first hand knowledge please chime in and babye we can discourage someone else.

reklund5 · « **Reply #1 on:** Oct 27, 2006, 10:17:46 PM »

The legality varies from state to state. You'll need to check that before attempting. Usually you can't legally tow more than the combined GVWR of your tow vehicle, which usually puts most 1/2 tons out of game.

Remember, the issue isn't moving that load with your 1/2 ton- it's stopping it. Your truck is considerably lighter than a 3/4 or 1 ton truck, which allows the trailered load(s) to move the truck around more. Also, your truck doesn't have as much braking capacity as the bigger trucks- even with a healthy set of trailer brakes.

I've got a 3/4 ton tow rig, and wouldn't personally attempt to pull doubles.

Ryan

Gittinit · « **Reply #2 on:** Oct 27, 2006, 11:11:01 PM »

I would be making about a 7 hour round trip. I think the doubles might be a bit much but only becouse of possible bad wheather. I really don't want to sleep on the ground in a tent when the temps drop below freezing. these wheights are only a good guess. popup + trailer 16ft + toy =? 8000# more or less ?

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #3 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 09:17:44 AM »

DONT, not with a 1/2 ton truck

commercial truck drivers have to go thru special training to do this, and the truck and BOTH trailers must have brakes, and the brakes must be phased, meaning the brakes of the rear most trailer must engage first.

DTB · « **Reply #4 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 01:07:37 PM »

Quote from: gittinit on Oct 27, 2006, 11:11:01 PM

I really don't want to sleep on the ground in a tent when the temps drop below freezing.

u wussy

jk

Where ya going? i dont think thats legal in missouri if u was talking about the new years trip!

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #5 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 03:20:31 PM »

i see old people pulling a 5th wheel camper with a small boat on the back around here but i ts always behind a 1 ton truck

i wouldnt attempt it with a 1/2 ton

might as well be a toyota, most half tons nowadays arent much heavier than a yota anyway

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #6 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 03:22:31 PM »

maybe someone can swing by your place on the way up and drag the pop up for ya

Gittinit · « **Reply #7 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 04:14:24 PM »

I was also thinking about the hot springs trip on the 10th of november. I don't rhink I have enough time to prepare to pull doubles for that one though. $I\'m Down$

Are ya volunteering for the new years trip, glen? I might be able to pitch in for te extra gas.

Gittinit · « **Reply #8 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 04:26:40 PM »

Quote from: 79Coyotefrg on Oct 28, 2006, 03:20:31 PM

i see old people pulling a 5th wheel camper with a small boat on the back around here but i ts always behind a 1 ton truck

i wouldnt attempt it with a 1/2 ton

might as well be a toyota, most half tons nowadays arent much heavier than a yota anyway

I'm not gonna be towing a fith wheel just my tandem with the toy on it,and mabye a popup behind that. For a fithwheel camper a 1 ton or at least a 3/4 ton is a absolute must but that type os setup will put a major load on the back of the tow rig. With adding a popup behind the tandum I would actually be removing wheight from the truck axle.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #9 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 06:47:25 PM »

if your 16 foot has brakes and your a good driver and dont mind dying

Gittinit · « **Reply #10 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 07:07:28 PM »

Dying doesn't scare me!!! The chance of living as a vegetable the rest of my life does

. I have too much to contribute to this world. I think I may try the doubles on a local drive first. You say ''don't do it'' but don't give any concrete reasons or hardcore evidence that it is a bad idea. I personaly would rather not pull doubles. I don't see any other way to keep from sleeping on the ground. There is absolutley no way I will pull doubles without the trailer brakes working correctly.

rednk1980 · « **Reply #11 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 07:12:51 PM »

Get an Air matres then your not sleeping on the ground you'll be sleeping on "air"

jimbo74 · « **Reply #12 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 07:20:59 PM »

jsut a refernce point, my boss has a 3/4 ton chevy with the tbi 350 in it, and according to uhauls standards, the weights are too close for it to pull an auto dolly with a toyota on it....

my friends f350 4x4 crew cab however is advised to pull the yota on a dolly or flatbed trailer

i personally would not tow doubles with just a 1/2 ton anything.....

DTB · « **Reply #13 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 07:32:42 PM »

Quote from: jimbo74 on Oct 28, 2006, 07:20:59 PM

jsut a refernce point, my boss has a 3/4 ton chevy with the tbi 350 in it, and according to uhauls standards, the weights are too close for it to pull an auto dolly with a toyota on it....

bah! standards schmantards. u-haul also says not to go over 45 mph with their trailers!

Gittinit · « **Reply #14 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 07:48:24 PM »

Quote from: Dirt Toy Boy on Oct 28, 2006, 07:32:42 PM

bah! standards schmantards. u-haul also says not to go over 45 mph with their trailers!

If you don't have first hand experience doing it then it doesn't matter whether you would or not. I would like to hear from someone whith first hand experience pulling doubles.

Quote from: rednk1980 on Oct 28, 2006, 07:12:51 PM

Get an Air matres then your not sleeping on the ground you'll be sleeping on "air"

This isnt a joke right. I'm suppriesed you didn't suggest putting a full waterbed matress in the bed and covering up whith bags of ice.

DTB · « **Reply #15 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 07:55:06 PM »

Quote from: gittinit on Oct 28, 2006, 07:48:24 PM

This isnt a joke right. I'm suppriesed you didn't suggest putting a full waterbed matress in the bed and covering up whith bags of ice.

ahaha! get a good 0 degree bag and you'll be fine

rednk1980 · « **Reply #16 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 08:20:25 PM »

sorry just trying to help

6.72:1 · « **Reply #17 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 08:45:08 PM »

Ain't nothing like jack-knifing at 80 MPH!

Where I come from (Alabama), I hear of people becoming statistics everyday from improper loading.

Don't do it man!

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #18 on:** Oct 28, 2006, 10:00:43 PM »

To legally tow doubles you must have a fifth wheel and then you could legally tow a trailer or flat tow a vehicle behind it. You cannot tow a ball trailer and then another ball trailer. You also must also have a special permit from the DMV.

Bazzi · « **Reply #19 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 03:49:09 AM »

http://youtube.com/watch?v=My1ikIT3BXM

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #20 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 07:24:54 AM »

Quote from: Rocksurfer on Oct 28, 2006, 10:00:43 PM

To legally tow doubles you must have a fifth wheel and then you could legally tow a trailer or flat tow a vehicle behind it. You cannot tow a ball trailer and then another ball trailer. You also must also have a special permit from the DMV.

no special permit here in Arkansas but there should be

i would come closer to flat towing the yota behind the chevy with the popup hooked to the yota

but like i said if all goes well i'll come by and drag it up there for ya

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #21 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 07:33:51 AM »

the problem is the rear trailer would be pushing the front trailer, if any sway starts with the trailer ,pulling doubles only magnifies that

in some northern states truckers are allowed to pull triples, but after getting the rigs straight, they must hook LARGE chains between the trailers that keep them from swaying, and they are only allowed to run at 50mph in the right lane

if you had a 3/4 ton truck it "could" be done, but a 1/2 ton chevy is too light

remember last month when i drove to north arkansas and got that parts truck,

i wish i had had my RV pulling it that night

DTB · « **Reply #22 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 07:37:23 AM »

Quote from: 79Coyotefrg on Oct 29, 2006, 07:33:51 AM

remember last month when i drove to north arkansas and got that parts truck, i wish i had had my RV pulling it that night

yea that was kinda scary glen.

i wouldn't recommend doing it either gittinit.

Rocksurfer · « **Reply #23 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 07:56:07 AM »

Quote from: 79Coyotefrg on Oct 29, 2006, 07:24:54 AM

no special permit here in Arkansas but there should be

i would come closer to flat towing the yota behind the chevy with the popup hooked to the yota

but like i said if all goes well i'll come by and drag it up there for ya

Here.......

almost forgot where I am....... In Cali they have a special license for non-commercial towing over a certain weight limit, air brakes or doubles.

8D3TOY · « **Reply #24 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 09:19:37 AM »

Yep in CA you have to get a non commercial class A to tow a pull trailer behind a 5th wheel, I can't remeber the length/weight limits but thats what hangs most people up is being over length. The dmv wont question your tow vehicle but a well educated cop will.

Cheesemaker · « **Reply #25 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 02:16:02 PM »

Don't do it! It's just that simple.

I can't imagine a half ton towing at least 5000 lbs of truck and trailer. And then add on another 1000 lbs... (loaded with food and water and gear) We are all missing other things besides braking and whether your state allows it! There's also, suspension, axles, tongue weight, cooling, and let's not forget tranny/clutch!!

Gittinit · « **Reply #26 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 06:06:54 PM »

Quote from: 79Coyotefrg on Oct 29, 2006, 07:33:51 AM

the problem is the rear trailer would be pushing the front trailer, if any sway starts with the trailer ,pulling doubles only magnifies that

Thanks glen this is the only reasonably reply ,not to pull doubles ,yet

Gittinit · « **Reply #27 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 06:13:18 PM »

Quote from: cheesemaker on Oct 29, 2006, 02:16:02 PM

Don't do it! It's just that simple.

I can't imagine a half ton towing at least 5000 lbs of truck and trailer. And then add on another 1000 lbs... (loaded with food and water and gear) We are all missing other things besides braking and whether your state allows it! There's also, suspension, axles, tongue weight, cooling, and let's not forget tranny/clutch!!

A little imagination is a good thing,if you can make it a reality. At least that is what I told myself when I started building my toyota, mabye I should have just bought a jeep and a bolt on lift. Keeping the tranny cool is probably the only other problem I havent addressed, I need a good aftermarket cooler. the rest that you mentioned is verry well uner control.

reklund5 · « **Reply #28 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 06:16:48 PM »

Quote from: gittinit on Oct 29, 2006, 06:06:54 PM

Thanks glen this is the only reasonably reply ,not to pull doubles ,yet

Uh, hello? What about my post?

Glad you're not gonna do it. Don't want another statistic...

Ryan

jimbo74 · « **Reply #29 on:** Oct 29, 2006, 06:26:32 PM »

commercially, they pull doubles here in CA... but you are looking at pulling doubles with a Semi-tractor, and air brakes!

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