The good news? We planned to travel to a warmer climate for the winter! The bad news? The transporter who had agreed to take our motorcycle to Florida backed out at the last minute. We really didn’t have the time to investigate another carrier, but we did consider triple towing.
If you aren’t familiar with the term “triple towing,” you’re not alone. The term refers to pulling two trailers behind your tow vehicle. (It’s also sometimes called “double towing.”) We considered purchasing a trailer and transporting the motorcycle on our own. But is it legal? Is it safe? Here’s what we found out:
Is it legal?
- Some states allow triple towing. Others do not. Here is a list of states that currently allow triple towing: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah.
- Laws change, so it’s best to call the DMV and/or Highway Patrol for each state you’ll drive through. (Or check out their websites.) Tickets can be expensive. That’s bad enough, but you might end up having to make two trips to get the second trailer to your destination.
- In the states that allow triple towing, there may be a maximum length limit. This limit includes the tow vehicle plus additional add-ons.
- The speed limit for triple towing can vary from state to state. In addition, speed limits within one state may vary too.
- Keep in mind that all states have weight limitations. Know your total weight before you start out!
- Some places (like Michigan and California) require you to have a special endorsement on your driver’s license to triple tow. Again, know before you go!
Is it safe?
- Starting and stopping times will take longer when triple towing. Factor this in. Maintain extra space between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Give yourself extra room and time when merging into the flow of traffic.
- The extra weight of add-ons will put additional stress on your braking system. Safety chains and/or breakaway brakes are recommended.
- It may be more difficult to see behind you when triple towing. Make sure to extend rearview mirrors. Consider purchasing a rear camera for better visibility.
- Each towable will need proper registration along with illuminated license plates.
- Make sure all brake lights and turn signal lights are working. Put safety reflectors on the sides of all trailers so others will see the total length of your rig and towables.
Is triple towing for you?
- This is a personal decision based on your driving experience, ability, and comfort level. If you’re not sure, take a test drive on a quiet road. See how the towables react when you change lanes, brake, accelerate, and more. Drive at a variety of speeds to test the overall stability of the triple tow. Try driving at the maximum speed you expect to maintain while on the road to determine the speed you’re most comfortable driving.
- Think about your planned route. Can you adjust it to avoid big cities during rush hour? Would a revised route avoid sharp turns or narrow roads?
- Be sure your overnight stays provide a spot that is long enough to accommodate your extended rig. Also, double-check that overnight campground guarantees a pull-through spot. Backing up with additional towables is next to impossible for most of us.
In the end, we decided against triple towing. (It’s illegal in Florida anyway.) We have until next year to decide how to get our motorcycle to Florida. There are options. Some people purchase a toy hauler to transport their “extras.” While that’s a bit too much for our budget, we can afford to look into a hitch mount that fits directly on the back of our RV. One way or another we’ll get that motorcycle to Florida!
##RVT990
I am a truck driver my suggestion don’t do it you get going down the road and big that’s a wind coming along it will knock you a right off the road another thing is if you’re getting going too fast I just think such thing wagging the tail it means what’s your trailer go back and forth it’s very dangerous
Your terminal I think will confuse people. Triple towing would mean 3 trailers and double is two trailers.
Thank you, Gail! Towing one thing is enough for me. Thank you!
Yeah,. California does Not allow triples.
Doubles yes but No triples in California.
Check your state laws.
The authors intent is triple towing is the tow vehicle, first and second towed. Vehicles. I’ve never heard of it called triple. California allows double towed recreationals with a double tow commercial license.
Most states require the first trailer to be a fifth wheel and the second trailer can be a ball type.
You cannot connect a ball type trailer to another ball type trailer.
Towed for years living in NM double around to the lakes. Not an issue just not backing up. Before the camp site unhitched the 16′ boat. Parked the camper unhitched then hitched the boat up for launching. I wouldn’t plan on setting any speed record but it can be done perfectly safe.
We towed our old 25′ travel trailer and an ATV trailer for years, all over NV. Never had any issues. When we bought our 2012 30′ travel trailer and a 14′ enclosed trailer for our new Polaris rzr, we discovered that there was just too much weight to do this anymore. Well darn . . . So now, for the same adventures, wifey has to tow the Polaris and I tow the TT. Kind of a PITA but we do what we have to do.
It’s called double towing! The only people who use the term, triple towing, don’t know what they’re talking about. A commercial driver receives an endorsement for Doubles, NOT triples.
I have a commercial license and I have an endorsement for doubles and triples.
Some states allow triples.
What the article describes is doubles.
Yes, you are correct
Absolutely correct. I should have been more specific in reference to the example that was initially given.
Funny, but in Nevada I passed a Fed-Ex rig towing Three trailes going from the Las Vegas area headed north three years ago.
Tom, I held CDL class A in California for 30+ years. The actual endorsement in California is designated with a “T” on the front of the license but the back of the drivers license actually states “T-Dbl/Tpl”. Also in a big rig, when you see them pulling two trailers behind the cab, the first trailer is attached to the fifth wheel hitch, then that trailer has a small trailer connected to it at the pintle hitch which has a fifth wheel where the next trailer is attached. Technically this is three trailers even though only two “cargo” trailers are being towed. Your comment is incorrect.
When you go to the DMV and get your endorsement it is for doubles and triples. The term is coined by the feds hence the confusion. Three items the tow rig and the two trailers triple
I just don’t understand the term “triple towing” when you’re just towing “two” vehicles. It just doesn’t make any sense.
The authors terminology is incorrect doubles are 2 towed vehicles behind the power source. Triples are 3 towed trailers. Some state to allow commercial 3 trailer towing
Recently a 40 ft Class A, a 4 wheel trailer carring a 4 passenger Polaris Razor and enough room for the front end of a full size pickup l left an rv resort in casa grande az. He obviously got it there so I can imagine he made it to his next destination. WHAT A SIGHT TO BEHOLD.
Watching him departing, it seem the truck cut th corners slightly. And h ow about brakes on the truck. 2 wheels on the trailer, 2 on the ground. No br.ake buddy is going to work like that.Not for me, thank you.
Minnesota’s triple towing laws for RVs are a bit more complex than described in this article and perhaps other state’s laws are as well, so if you are contemplating this, be sure to understand all of the legal requirements.
I triple towed for the two years we had a fifth wheel. We brought our 14′ “grumpy old man” boat with a 10 hp motor. The 5ver had a frame mounted class II receiver. This combo towed perfectly.
If done properly and within the law, the practice is completely safe.
Yes Spike, safe and legal. Did it for years. Where I live you can tow a 2nd trailer if your first trailer is a travel trailer as long as it has two axles OR your first trailer is a 5th wheel with one or 2 axles and overall maximum length is 75’6″. With my travel trailer and boat I was 74’6″. I also put an old CB antenna, painted blaze orange, on a hinge that I swing out so on a straight road I could tell my boat was still behind me. Gail did a good job on this article.
To me it is double towing. You are only “towing “ 2 trailers with a tow vehicle. Just my opinion. No big deal, glad you stated that it is called both.
Hard enough fueling up our 38′ gasser with a toad. Can’t imagine navigating a gas station with a triple tow.
Truck stop..
I don’t know if it is considered triple towing, but I saw a rig (for a motorcycle in this case) that attached to the rear of the camper on each side and had castering wheels. The whole thing being ridgedly mounted moved as one with the camper. I thought it was pretty slick. They had been in Florida and were currently in Georgia. Two states that do not allow triple tow and they had not had any problems with law enforcement.
Seen these Swivel Wheel Carriers from CruiserLifts in several posts:
https://www.cruiserlifts.com/collections/swivelwheel-transport-systems
Because it’s attached in two places on the rear of the 5th wheel for hauling a golf cart or motorcycle you can back up without disconnecting.
Not sure if law enforcement views these as triple towing or not. The 65 foot maximum length would still apply.
Several folks questioned the small wheels run at highway speeds.
There is an option that is legal everywhere, you can install a swivel wheel trailer directly to the frame of your 5th wheel that officially becomes part of the 5th wheel and turns with the 5th wheel. I saw several of these in FL, you can even back the 5th wheel normally, you just have to be aware of the added length. One had 2 mid-sized motorcycles on it. Most just carry 1 big bike. There is very little weight transferred to the trailer as the two swivel wheels are carrying most of the weight. They’re not recommended for travel trailers unfortunately. We had two 3 wheeled electric scooters I wanted to take to FL, but had to build ramps to load them in the truck bed.
Exactly! They’re called Freedom Haulers.
Not a fan of triple towing, don’t really care if others tow an Rv, boat, trailer loaded with dirt bikes, ATV, UTVs. Is triple towing safe, not to me can’t speak for the triple tower hauling boat, trailer loaded with toys of all sorts, sitting along the I-70 highway with liquids dripping on the road.
Stupid is as Stupid does.
Bingo! Dumbest idea ever
What does this mean?
My grandfather used to do this back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. He would drive from Indiana to Texas every fall and back again in the spring. He had a Dodge pickup, a bumper pull travel trailer and a VW bug. He said there were certain states he couldn’t go through, as he was too long. He also built a 100 gallon gas tank in the bed of his truck so he wouldn’t have to stop for gas very often. Fortunately, he never had an accident, as I imagine that would have created quite a fireball.
You forgot to list the maximum legal length limitations that vary by state and may be applicable to roads other than interstate highways. Also, don’t forget about braking system requirements for each trailer.