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 > Towing an EMPTY tow dolly behind a Fifth Wheel east coast.

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mkirsch

Rochester, NY

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Posted: 07/11/23 07:02am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

It's probably too late to change the vernacular. Literally every article on this subject calls it "triple towing."

I'm not going through all the state laws looking for it to actually say "triple." It's always been a waste of time trying to look up the actual legal document where it says that such-and-such is illegal. For example, I can't find ANYTHING on the books in NY that says towing multiple trailers is illegal, yet it reportedly is. It's supposedly illegal to leave your ball hitch in the receiver too, but I can't find the actual law that says so. I can't find the law that says it's illegal to drive over the speed limit. I can't find the law that says it's illegal to drive drunk. I can't find the law that says you need a CDL to tow a trailer over 10,000lbs GVWR.

I do know when you google "is it legal to triple tow in XXX" it sends you to that state's laws on towing.


Putting 10-ply tires on half ton trucks since aught-four.

Bionic Man

USA

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Posted: 07/10/23 03:54pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

For those that are confused by words, here is a photo to illustrate triple towing.

[image]


2012 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW CC 4x4 Max Tow, Cummins HO, 60 gallon RDS aux fuel tank, Reese 18k Elite hitch
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 Cummins HO NV5600 with Smarty JR, Jacobs EB (sold)
2002 Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 29FRB with Honda EV6010

Cummins12V98

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Posted: 07/01/23 06:55am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

mkirsch wrote:

Do you call it soda or do you call it pop?

Same deal with the "double" vs "triple/tripple" towing. It's a regional thing based on how the politicians put it in the books.

In RV parlance they mean the SAME THING, even though some of us can't help but rage about the idiocy of calling it "triple/tripple TOWING" when you are only towing TWO trailers. Yes there are three "things" but only two of them are being towed.

Nobody ever said politicians were smart.

What's the deal with the extra p anyway? Maybe it's actually "tipple" towing?


Never claimed to being a English Major!!! It's kinda like "AMZ/OIL"


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Wadcutter

IL

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Posted: 06/30/23 05:37pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

mkirsch wrote:


Same deal with the "double" vs "triple/tripple" towing. It's a regional thing based on how the politicians put it in the books.


Actually no. Unless you can actually back up that statement by providing the statute.
The FMCSA defines double towing as pulling 2, triple as pulling 3. The power unit is not a towed unit. They even have pictures for those who lack reading comprehension skills.

mkirsch wrote:


What's the deal with the extra p anyway? Maybe it's actually "tipple" towing?

Here's why it's important to call towing by the proper terminology. If you call a LE agency, DOT, or other enforcement office and ask if it's OK to triple tow they're going to go by the proper definition. Triple tow is 3 units being pulled by a power unit. And if you ask about triple towing who ever you call will assume you know what you're talking about, altho a silly assumption on their part, and will give you the appropriate legal information for towing 3 units with a power unit.
But if you ask about triple towing but you don't know what you're talking about (obviously) and you only mean 2 towed units and 1 power unit then you won't get the correct information and you'll continue to be uniformed.
BTW, I taught FMCSA for a lot of years, enforced FMSCA and 2nd division laws, and commanded those units. I didn't get my information from some internet page written by someone who didn't have a clue what they were talking about.


Camped in every state


mkirsch

Rochester, NY

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Posted: 06/30/23 08:29am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Do you call it soda or do you call it pop?

Same deal with the "double" vs "triple/tripple" towing. It's a regional thing based on how the politicians put it in the books.

In RV parlance they mean the SAME THING, even though some of us can't help but rage about the idiocy of calling it "triple/tripple TOWING" when you are only towing TWO trailers. Yes there are three "things" but only two of them are being towed.

Nobody ever said politicians were smart.

What's the deal with the extra p anyway? Maybe it's actually "tipple" towing?

fj12ryder

Platte City, MO

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Posted: 06/30/23 07:46am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Horsedoc wrote:

"Remember this is an RV Forum NOT a Truckers Forum."

Is this forum about RVers helping RVers? If someone could or would help me from messing up, then I would be happy.
You want help or advice, ya gotta ask.


Howard and Peggy

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Cummins12V98

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Posted: 06/29/23 05:26pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Horsedoc wrote:

"Remember this is an RV Forum NOT a Truckers Forum."

Is this forum about RVers helping RVers? If someone could or would help me from messing up, then I would be happy.


Tell us your concerns and issues maybe "WE" can help.

Cummins12V98

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Posted: 06/29/23 05:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

MFL wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

To me, it's only logical that two trailers is double tow, since if triple tow is two trailers, what is a single tow?


Do a search "RV Triple Towing" and you see lots of people referring towing two trailers as such.


Lol, lots of people using the wrong term, don't make it right! Good to hear 12V...that you were able to make the correction!

The oil spelling, personal preference to follow the original, no harm, certainly no foul.

A single tow?? That is one less than a double tow. [emoticon]

Jerry


I usually prefer a "Double" [emoticon]

Horsedoc

Dixie --- N. Georgia

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Posted: 06/29/23 04:36pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

"Remember this is an RV Forum NOT a Truckers Forum."

Is this forum about RVers helping RVers? If someone could or would help me from messing up, then I would be happy.

MFL

Midwest

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Joined: 11/28/2012

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Posted: 06/29/23 03:37pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Cummins12V98 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:

To me, it's only logical that two trailers is double tow, since if triple tow is two trailers, what is a single tow?


Do a search "RV Triple Towing" and you see lots of people referring towing two trailers as such.


Lol, lots of people using the wrong term, don't make it right! Good to hear 12V...that you were able to make the correction!

The oil spelling, personal preference to follow the original, no harm, certainly no foul.

A single tow?? That is one less than a double tow. [emoticon]

Jerry





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