guidelines for weight of second trailer when double towing

Does anyone have any rule of thumbs or recommendation on the maximum weight of the second trailer? From what I remeber from the regs they seem to imply your fine as long as you don't go over length and over GCWR. Just not sure how much I trust the hitch on the back of the 5th wheel.

I'm trying to figure out if I can pull an enclosed trailer behind my trailer or if I should stick to my aluminum open trailer.

Then there's the US http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/07/triple_towing.php

thanks for the link but that doesn't answer my question.

What is your hitch rated for on the back of your fifth wheel?

Here is some info that might help.

hedge said:

Does anyone have any rule of thumbs or recommendation on the maximum weight of the second trailer? From what I remeber from the regs they seem to imply your fine as long as you don't go over length and over GCWR. Just not sure how much I trust the hitch on the back of the 5th wheel.

I'm trying to figure out if I can pull an enclosed trailer behind my trailer or if I should stick to my aluminum open trailer.

Click to expand...

Check out the thread "Springs or Airbags"

In there you will find a Link posted by "Longhorn"

It should have all the info you need
Ill look for it to and update if I find it

Post # 75 page 5 "Springs or Airbags"

Weight is not an issue. Your fifth wheel must be able to handle the weight of your second trailer and your fifth wheel hitch and towing vehicle must be able to handle all of it. Totally depends on what your driving.

Going from memory there was something in the regs regarding the second unit being smaller then the first unit. Like it's been said before, the towing unit has to have a towing capacity for bow units. The fifth wheel hitch has to rated for the weight of both units. Your hitch on the fifth wheel has to be rated for the weight of the rear trailer. A very large majority of fifth wheels are NOT rated to pull a trailer at all.

I had contacted several different trailer manufactures and received comments similar to this: The trailer has an engineered balance designed to carry it's weight with a predetermined hitch weight. By altering the trailer with the addition of a hitch you will drastically be changing the weight characteristics of the trailer and we do not recommend it nor will we warranty any unit with such alterations.

A few years back Scona Spring had a trailer in there shop with the fifth wheel hitch ripped off the trailer, they felt it was from the extra force that the rear trailer placed on the hitch, the guy was hauling a small utility trailer behind a 25' Dutchman.

Watch your balance and attempt to maintain the same ratio of hitch weight.