JIMNLIN
Oklahoma
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Having towed non rv trailers for a living I've found its best to contact a state troop command post and ask those that do the enforcing how they enforce your questions. Do not assume the way you interpret a code is the way it will be enforced in that state. Do it wrong can be a expensive gamble. Do not assume just because your towing a rv trailer you will never be stopped for a violation.
And of course when talking with a dot officer/DMV person/etc use the correct terminology. Your asking a double tow...not a triple tow. Refer to a triple tow then of course the answer will be "no triple towing allowed".
Good luck
* This post was
edited 06/22/23 12:00pm by JIMNLIN *
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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mobilevagrant wrote:KD4UPL wrote:I would say it's a trailer and therefore not legal up the east coast. I'm in VA and have looked into double towing a lot. The DMV doesn't really know, you need to talk to Commercial Motor Vehicle Officers. I have specifically asked several in VA and they all said absolytely not in VA.
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.
Seems pretty clear to me. I'm not seeing anything that suggests it's not a trailer. Even if it's not a trailer, you can't tow more than 1 motor vheicle, trailer or semitrailer, so it's irrelevant what you call it.
Unless it looks dangerous, unlikely they will bother you but once they do, you may as well pay the ticket as driving back to fight it in person will likely cost far more than the ticket.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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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.
Hence the previous tire pressure comment. Although it seems weight and tire pressures being a very simple concept with an almost wholly linear relationship are a mystery to most (and to you) (and apparently to the NHTSA who mandated WAY too much pressure for the tpms thresholds on 3/4 ton trucks…lol).
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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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.
Well the first part is reasonable. The second part, roflmao. Who cares? By that logic , every motorcycle and small car is an accident waiting to happen. Don’t be paranoid.
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bukhrn
Lanexa, Va
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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.
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fj12ryder
Platte City, MO
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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. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
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Tyler0215
Iowa
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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.
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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I also believe it is illegal in most of the east coast however the chances of actually being stopped are remote.
However if you are stopped are you prepared to leave the dolly at a moments notice? Where would you leave it? How much of a hassle will it create if you are cited? Is the risk worth the reward?
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Onyrlef
Plano, Tx
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It's highly unlikely there's a State Trooper on the planet who gives a rip how much an RV weighs, whether or not the TV is off while the RV's engine is running, or what the towing configuration happens to be. If empty, my guess would be the chance of being cited would be even more remote. Be aware too, that if you tow the dolly empty, it will tow much better if you lower the tire psi and if it has a steerable axle it should be locked out. My Demco SS directs the tire pressure be about 12 psi when towing empty. It will track better and won't bounce down the road behind you like a basketball.
* This post was
edited 06/22/23 05:42am by Onyrlef *
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bucky
Raleigh metro
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I wouldn't try it. The old saying of when seconds count help is only minutes away is reversed in the OP's situation.
They're usually right there when we're doing something wrong. The VA State Troopers are all over I95 and I85.
Can the tow dolly be dismantled and put in the bed of the truck?
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