Tyler0215 wrote:

It's not illegal till you get caught. Then the dolly will be loaded on a tow truck, and held until you pay tow a storage charges.
Also a low empty dolly behind a large trailer will be practically invisible to brain dead drivers following you. An accident waiting to happen.

bukhrn wrote:

I can't tell you if it's legal or not for double/triple towing, but having towed one empty for only a few miles behind my pickup, I surely wouldn't want to do on an Interstate or other main highway, if you've ever seen one being towed empty, you probably wouldn't want to either, it bounced and swayed terribly, the tires were Off the ground as much (or more) than they were on it.

mobilevagrant wrote:



I think the main issue is that it's likely a state trooper or cmv officer would actually do a traffic stop where a county/city/town officer/deputy would not. Most of the regs I have seen about tow dollies seems to be about when actually towing a car and not when unloaded.

Code of Virginia 46.2-1116. "Vehicles having more than one trailer, etc., attached thereto; exceptions.

Except as provided in this section and § 46.2-1117, no motor vehicle shall be driven on a highway while drawing or having attached thereto more than one motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer unless such vehicle is being operated under a special permit from the Commissioner of Highways. "

Code of Virginia 46.2-1119. "Tow dolly and converter gear.

No axle-like device, commonly called a "tow dolly," used to support the front or rear wheels of a passenger vehicle or pick-up or panel truck for towing purposes, and no axle-like device, commonly called "converter gear," on which is mounted a fifth wheel used to convert a semitrailer to a full trailer, shall be considered vehicles. Either such device, when used on the public highways, shall be equipped with a safety chain or chains of a strength to restrain the device and vehicle being towed, should the connection fail. In addition, either device, when moved on the public highway, shall be equipped with rear marker lights or reflectors when towed without a load. When a tow dolly or converter gear is used to tow a vehicle, the towed vehicle must comply with all requirements of law pertaining to towed vehicles."

Clear as mud isn't it? Looks like a "tow dolly" is not actually considered a trailer but IANAL.....

Several sites say that there is no state on the east coast that allows multiple trailers, but have seen others that say that Maryland, NC and SC allow it if under 65 foot long.

bukhrn wrote:

I can't tell you if it's legal or not for double/triple towing, but having towed one empty for only a few miles behind my pickup, I surely wouldn't want to do on an Interstate or other main highway, if you've ever seen one being towed empty, you probably wouldn't want to either, it bounced and swayed terribly, the tires were Off the ground as much (or more) than they were on it.

4x4ord wrote:

You could just tow it. Probably not legal ….. you probably won’t get stopped. If you do get pulled over you might be fined and or have to unhook the dolly.

fj12ryder wrote:

FWIW, I towed a swivel-wheel trailer behind our fifth wheel through and in Virginia, and never garnered a second look. But that was about 10-12 years ago. As was said, sometimes you just roll the dice and take your chances. What's life without a little gamble, now and then.