5th Wheel Hitch Question

[ndfinfan]

Morning Gents, got a question regarding tow capacity on 5th wheels. The wife and I currently have a 27ft bumper pull, but we are planning to upgrade to a 5th wheel this year or next. I've noticed most of the newer 5th wheels have the hitch attached to the rear frame, but looking at the specs, most state they have a 3,000 pd tow capacity. So I assume they are a Class III receiver? But every weekend during the summer, you see 5th wheels being towed with a 5k glass boat behind it...so are those guys throwing caution to the wind or did they get a Class IV receiver put on their 5th wheel? Can 5th wheel frames handle a higher capacity class hitch? My current Lund set up weighs less than 3,500 pds, but good chance I'll have a 4,000 pd set up soon. Always appreciate your experience and insights...thanks gents!

 

[tikkalover]

Last 3 campers I’ve had didn’t have the receiver hitch on the back bumper. I took them to Magic Mile Welding and they beefed up the camper bumper and added the receiver. Never had a problem when pulling the boat.

 

[ndfinfan]

Last 3 campers I’ve had didn’t have the receiver hitch on the back bumper. I took them to Magic Mile Welding and they beefed up the camper bumper and added the receiver. Never had a problem when pulling the boat.

Right on...guess that's always an option. I was just worried these newer lighter 5th wheels might have frame limits?

 

[jdfisherman]

Guessing any modifications would void the warranty (not that they stand behind them anyway).

 

[Fester]

I could have swore a number of years ago when looking at a camper that a reciever hitch was an option on the rear.

 

[johnr]

Your boat trailer to be legally towed behind a 5th wheel must be a dual axle, and have trailer breaks.
Most guys don't follow this rule, and are taking everyone else on the roads life into their hands.

I pulled the boat behind my old 5th wheel, the new one has the hitch, but it is so long, I don't dare do it, even though it would be legal for me, just not a risk I want to take.

 

[Wall-eyes]

Yes, a lot of guys taking chances. I did the right thing and when I bought my camper at Coral Sales in Mandan which are good friend's they take it to a welding shop and have it done right. Maybe some campers have to option to buy that as an option best ask sales and weight limit for sure. Boats are getting bigger and heavier every year. I hope all those doing this or being safe and know what you are getting into pulling triples it will test you are times. Be safe.

 

[tikkalover]

Your boat trailer to be legally towed behind a 5th wheel must be a dual axle, and have trailer breaks.
Most guys don't follow this rule, and are taking everyone else on the roads life into their hands.

Well, I guess I have been putting others' lives in danger and breaking the law for over 25 years that I have pulled my single axle boat behind my fifth wheel camper.

Only rules that I know of is, total length cannot be over 75 feet, and the middle trailer has to have brakes.

 

[Weekender]

This is from the ND highway patrol site, that is all the info they have on tandem towing for non-commercial.

• If the first trailer is a gooseneck or 5th wheel connection, the first trailer must be equipped with brakes, and the second trailer must be equipped with safety chains.
• If the first trailer is a bumper hitch connection, the first trailer must be equipped with brakes and safety chains, and the second trailer must be equipped with safety chains at a minimum. If the gross weight of the second trailer exceeds 3,000 pounds, brakes are also required.

 

[johnr]

Well it looks like I was partially right, as this was told to me years ago, and I took it as it was said.

This is from the ND highway patrol site, that is all the info they have on tandem towing for non-commercial.

• If the first trailer is a gooseneck or 5th wheel connection, the first trailer must be equipped with brakes, and the second trailer must be equipped with safety chains.
• If the first trailer is a bumper hitch connection, the first trailer must be equipped with brakes and safety chains, and the second trailer must be equipped with safety chains at a minimum. If the gross weight of the second trailer exceeds 3,000 pounds, brakes are also required.

 

[johnr]

Your boat trailer to be legally towed behind a 5th wheel must be a dual axle, and have trailer breaks.
Most guys don't follow this rule, and are taking everyone else on the roads life into their hands.

Well, I guess I have been putting others' lives in danger and breaking the law for over 25 years that I have pulled my single axle boat behind my fifth wheel camper.

Only rules that I know of is, total length cannot be over 75 feet, and the middle trailer has to have brakes.

You SOB...haha

 

[riverview]

every Sunday in the summer i see these double pulling people leaving grahams island in a 30 mph wind and wonder how in the hell is that legal.

 

[Tikka280ai]

every Sunday in the summer i see these double pulling people leaving grahams island in a 30 mph wind and wonder how in the hell is that legal.

And half of them are towing with a half ton pickup to make it even worse!!

 

[ndfinfan]

This is from the ND highway patrol site, that is all the info they have on tandem towing for non-commercial.

• If the first trailer is a gooseneck or 5th wheel connection, the first trailer must be equipped with brakes, and the second trailer must be equipped with safety chains.
• If the first trailer is a bumper hitch connection, the first trailer must be equipped with brakes and safety chains, and the second trailer must be equipped with safety chains at a minimum. If the gross weight of the second trailer exceeds 3,000 pounds, brakes are also required.

Thank you for finding that and posting!

 

[Fester]

And half of them are towing with a half ton pickup to make it even worse!!

Exactly why to never buy a half ton with a fifth(5th) wheel plate.

 

[guywhofishes]

Exactly why to never buy a half ton with a fith wheel plate.

Google search - just for fun...

 

[Slappy]

 

[ndfinfan]

^^Thanks for posting that Slappy! So if I am understanding that correctly, when I tow a 5th wheel camper and a boat behind the 5th wheel, the 5th wheel must have brakes and the boat must have chains. So that implies the plug for the boat could be a 4 pin...not necessarily the 7 pin to activate the brakes on the boat trailer?

 

[Slappy]

^^Correct but don't forget the 75' max rule. Never measured but see plenty of rigs around here that appear to be longer than that.

4-way or 5-way flat could be used for boat. I wouldn't plan to back tandem trailers but would want to have the 5th wire for reverse lockout on surge brakes just in case.