If you own a towable RV, and you just bought a shiny new boat, jet ski, or ATV, you may be tempted to hitch it behind your trailer on your next trip. But before you attempt to test the limits of your truck’s mechanics and towing skills, it’s important you educate yourself on RV triple towing.
In this post, we will take a deeper dive into triple towing, learn where it’s legal and highlight a few helpful tips to keep you and other motorists safe on the road.
And as you look out for your family, don’t forget to look after the well-being and happiness of your furry friends when RVing. Waggle Pet Monitor is a safety gadget that tracks the temperature and humidity inside your RV when you’re away and instantly notifies you when conditions aren’t safe for your pet.
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What is Triple Towing?
RV triple towing, sometimes known as double towing, is pulling two vehicles behind the vehicle you’re driving. For instance, when you are pulling a travel trailer or fifth wheel behind a pickup truck, and then you attach another trailer behind that. Most times, the third vehicle can be a boat, snowmobile, buggy, or small equipment trailer.
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Is Triple Towing Legal?
Sure, many RVers are willing to take the chance in order to haul more stuff to a favorite camping spot. But is triple towing even legal? It’s legal in some states, but not everywhere. So. before you hook up that extra trailer and go on a long road trip, learn which states allow triple towing.
Here are some states that allow you to tow two trailers at the same time behind your vehicle: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Vermont.
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Keep in mind that triple towing regulations in these states aren’t the same, and the laws can change anytime, so you need to update yourself anytime you want to pull two vehicles behind your tow vehicle. Some places have restrictions on the combined length of the three vehicles, while others require you to stay within a certain speed limit. Many states cap the maximum length of a triple tow setup at 60’ or 65’.
Triple Towing Tips
Pulling one trailer behind your vehicle is usually enough trouble. Towing two trailers is a whole new ball game. If you aren’t prepared, it can be a risk, driving stress, and also a mechanical burden on your tow vehicle. Below are a few helpful tips for triple towing.
- Always Comply with the Law – Always study and adhere to all the triple towing regulations when RVing in a new state. The best way to learn the specific laws is to visit that state’s department of transportation website.
- Get the Setup Right – Make sure that the combined weight and towing capacity of the three vehicles fall within safe and reasonable limits.
- Get a Capable Tow Vehicle – Not all vehicles have the power to pull two trailers behind them. Check the loaded weights of your trailers, then get a tow vehicle that can handle that load.
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- Make Sure Your Trailer is Equipped to Tow – Not all travel trailers and fifth wheels are equipped with a mechanism to tow another vehicle. When shopping for a pull-behind camper, make sure it has a rear ball hitch.
- Keep up With Maintenance – Triple towing can put a lot of pressure on your first and second vehicle, causing wear and tear. Get your tow vehicle and camper checked out for necessary maintenance regularly. Before setting off, check the brakes, brake lights, and tires.
- Practice Triple Towing – If you’ve never towed anything behind your vehicle, start by learning how to tow a single trailer. Once you’re confident and experienced, practice pulling the third vehicle at an empty parking lot and then gradually venture into less busy roads.
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- Talk to Your Insurance Agent – Confirm with your insurance company whether you’ll be covered in the event of an accident while triple towing.
- Be Extra Vigilant – The more trailers you tow behind, the higher the risks. Don’t drive in bad weather and on risky roads, increase stopping distances, make longer and slower turns, and drive slowly.
- Invest in a Backup Camera – A backup camera is your best friend when triple-towing RVs. Having eyes at the back will help you detect all sorts of danger and take the appropriate action early.
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Safety Should Be at the Top of Your Mind When Triple Towing
RV Triple towing is an excellent way to bring extra gear to your camping destination. However, it has its own risks, and not every state permits it. Make sure you learn the laws of the state you want to explore, stick to the legal limits, and rack up some experience towing a single trailer before you start pulling the second one.
