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Old 07-13-2015, 06:56 PM   #1
dweiner
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Towing two trailers

We just bought a 3440 2015 and thinking about putting a receiver on the back to tow the atv and razor. Who has experience towing two trailers and what can you tell me about it? The tow vehicle is a 3500 ram 2012 and we live in Colorado where this is legal.
 
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Old 07-13-2015, 07:19 PM   #2
Rondo
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If you are not worried about voiding the frame warranty on your unit you can go ahead and put the hitch/receiver on. If you want to find out more on this you can go to the search engine here and look up rear hitches or rear hitch installation and see what comes up OR you can call Lippert and find out from them about adding a receiver hitch.
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Old 07-14-2015, 02:04 AM   #3
1retired06
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Frame warranty will be voided, but not many frame issues reported since the early years of Montana. Some states do not allow, I know Florida enforces.
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Old 07-14-2015, 02:39 AM   #4
JandC
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My goal while traveling is never having to back up, except when setting up at a camp site. It isn't that I can't back my unit, it is that I do everything I can to plan my route and fuel stops to prevent backing up.

As careful as I am it seems that about once or twice a year I will make a wrong turn or something else occurs and I find myself having to back up in order to turn around or get out of trouble.

The problem with towing double is your backing up days are over!
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Old 07-14-2015, 02:40 AM   #5
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Fulltimers and Recreational RV'ers have always been pitted against one another on the MOC on this topic. Although the frame warranty could be voided ... I've double towed with my last 3 Montanas with no issue other than having to be more aware of what's behind me. I still like boats, water, and slalom skiing and a second trip to where I'm going doesn't work for us. I made a custom hitch and have a rear view camera to keep a eye on things. I'm a bit over length, but have always kept lights and hook up top notch. I've never seen anyone stopped unless they were doing something just way stupid.
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Old 07-14-2015, 03:41 AM   #6
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As far as the law is concerned, as long as you stay in the middle of the country you should be fine. They don't allow it on either coast.
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Old 07-14-2015, 03:45 AM   #7
pineranch
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Been towing my swivel wheel trailer with ATV from Florida to Colorado for three years without any problems. Make sure the receiver installation is done right. States vary on length. The least coast states have not yet allowed double tow, seldom enforced. Just don't do anything stupid when towing double.
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Old 07-14-2015, 04:22 AM   #8
jlb27537
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When you put a hitch on, do not use one of the universal hitches. I had one made using 2" square tubing. A "H" shaped cross bars with a 36" center receiver part. A few pics here:
http://s143.photobucket.com/user/jlb...?sort=3&page=1

Been to Colorado 3 times from Mo and to S Texas with a golf cart, no issues. I am about 66' overall.



Jim
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Old 07-14-2015, 04:26 AM   #9
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As long as you have a good sturdy well mounted receiver I don't think you would have any problem with the rear part of the frame. I would be more concerned with the front of the frame since the added towing weight would put more stress on the pin box area, especially considering frame flex issues of the past. But I have seen some very large boats, a party barge or two, and one late 50's vintage beautifully restored Buick convertible on a car trailer behind a fairly long 5er. And all seemed to have no problem.

But seldom enforced or not, I would avoid states where it is not legal or you could be forced to drop the second trailer before being allowed to continue.
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Old 07-14-2015, 05:52 AM   #10
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Welcome to the MOC.
What are you planning on towing? I was told by Arham, who was in charge of the Montana division, to keep the hitch weight under 200 lbs,tow weight under 2,000 lbs. Also was told not to tow a car with all 4 wheels on the road because that causes side loads on the frame while cornering.
I towed my aluminum boat a few times, with no problems.
Hidden Hitch makes a bolt on hitch that is wide enough for the frames. Hitch # 8001 comes to mind, but not certain about the number. Bill
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Old 07-14-2015, 06:20 AM   #11
dweiner
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Thank you all for the info! We traded our cyclone 4100 toy hauler (43'8") which was a beast in and of itself. It kept breaking and was in the shop more than we used it. I did a lot of research on the Montana and got lots of mixed reviews online at first. When I found this forum it was reassuring to see the amount of people who own these units and have few problems. I understand just about any RV comes with its issues, some more than others. Reviews are tricky, most people like to review only if they have a bad experience. All in all I think this will be a good unit for us both for camping with just the trailer and pulling a second trailer behind. The plan is to buy a single axle echo 17' to tow behind the Montana. Our unit has the camera on the back and we would make sure the second trailer is hooked up to brakes. With this setup we will be right around 70ft which is long but not unbearable. There is a hitch shop nearby that installs hitches on the back of fifth wheels all day long so I would have them do it.
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Old 07-14-2015, 06:37 AM   #12
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Colorado total length is 70'. But looking at towing law charts, the states around you have a 65' limit. Would be a real pain to get stopped for some reason and have to drop the second trailer in the middle of no where.
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Old 07-14-2015, 07:27 AM   #13
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As Diesel Guy says, I tow a lot in the states around you and have seen some crazy things (large 5th wheel towing a cabin cruiser down Raton Pass for instance) and have never seen or heard of anyone being stopped.
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Old 07-15-2015, 05:29 AM   #14
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Anyone look at the swivel wheel trailers from http://www.cruiserlift.com/swivelwheel.html
they claim that it's not considered triple towing because it's an extension of the 5th wheel's frame.
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Old 07-15-2015, 07:27 AM   #15
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I have been towing my Harley behind the Montana for several years now. I built my own reciever hitch (much stronger than just a bolt on hitch) I have towed from Mn to Tx 3 times and to Arizona. No bad issues at all I am 67 ft 4 in. 75 ft is legal in Mn. You do need to pay attention when fueling. I go to the fuel pumps where the big trucks go to get diesel. Don't want to have to bck up, but unhooking the trailer and manuevering would be an option if necessary.
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Old 07-15-2015, 09:25 AM   #16
makahaskipper
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I was wondering if the swivel wheel trailer is an alternative for states that don't allow triple towing.
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Old 07-15-2015, 01:31 PM   #17
pineranch
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Here's where I got mine.

smarttrailers.com

Mike

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Old 07-15-2015, 03:31 PM   #18
1retired06
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In Florida the swivel wheel trailers are now illegal. My buddy used one to carry a golf car, and had to buy a replacement trailer after being stopped and receiving a warning citation by a St Petersburg police officer.
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Old 07-16-2015, 02:13 AM   #19
TLightning
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Don't know about the new frames...I would not pull anything with my frame...too weak.
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Old 07-16-2015, 03:40 AM   #20
pineranch
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Question for the experts:
If swivel wheel trailers are illegal in Florida, how can they be manufactured in and licensed by the state. Shotgun statements without background causes our members to make wrong decisions.
Mike
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