Towing Boat Behind 5th Wheel

[CBGale2]

Anyone do a double tow, more specifically in Michigan? Id like to know how you have your safety chains hooked up. Reading he Michigan secretary of state pamphlet they have on the subject they say this....... "Safety chains for the second trailer must be securely attached at the extreme outer edge of the fifth-wheel trailer with a locking mechanism." To me this means I have to have two 4ft long safety chains on my boat tounge, if so how in the world is this safe? The safety chains crossed are supposed to catch the tounge if it should come off in my thinking. With such a long chain with enough slack to allow turning I picture this coming off, hitting the pavement and whiplashing all over the place.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Towing Boat Behind 5th Wheel

I'd say that extreme outer edge means from the rear bumper of the 5th wheel. If you were to do that (2) 4 foot chains, that would be an awful lot to hit the ground if the rear trailer ever gave way.

Then again, I am from Washington where we can only have one trailer behind our car.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: Towing Boat Behind 5th Wheel

I'd say that extreme outer edge means from the rear bumper of the 5th wheel. If you were to do that (2) 4 foot chains, that would be an awful lot to hit the ground if the rear trailer ever gave way.

Then again, I am from Washington where we can only have one trailer behind our car.

You are a genious!!!! The back bumper would be the extreme outer edge of the 5th wheel wouldnt it. I knew someone could clear this up for me. I had it stuck in my head that it was the extreme outside edges. You have no idea how many people I have run this by, you are the first to point this out. I wish you would have told me this before I sent the email to the State Police... there going to looking for me now.

 

[djvan]

Re: Towing Boat Behind 5th Wheel

I'm pretty sure you are supposed to attach the 2nd trailer's safety chains to the extreme left and right ends of the 1st trailer's bumper. And I believe they should be crossed.

My dad is doing this very same thing this year.

He is considering attaching 2 short pieces of chain at the extreme ends of the bumper and then using a heavy duty zip tie to hook the other ends to the receivers regular safety hook area, then attaching the 2nd trailers chains to these ends. That way if the 2nd trailer broke loose the chains would break the zip ties and be attached like the law wants.

Our concern with running the chains all the way from the 2nd trailer to the 1st trailers bumper ends, tight turns may require a longer chain thus either allowing them drag on the roadway or snag things more easily.

I think the law also requires you to have some sort of latching mechinism on the end of the safety chains and not just the regular "S" style hooks that are normally used.

We are also Michigan residents.

HTH's

DougV>

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Towing Boat Behind 5th Wheel

Then again, I am from Washington where we can only have one trailer behind our car.

you can tow a trailer behind a fifth wheel type trailer in WA just have to pay $100 per yr for the permit.