OK folks, my wife and I are looking to do some long term travel/camping with a 36' fifth wheel but, I want to take the 40 with us for trail exploring. I am building a custom two axle trailer with brakes for the 40 and the whole rig should be under 71' when finished and pulled with a crew cab diesel dualie. Does any one have any experience doing this and if so comments please.
Fifth wheel towing my FJ40, comments
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Seen it done, would NOT want to drive it myself. Much more inclined to put a cab-over camper or tag travel trailer on the front of a gooseneck trailer and park the 40 on the 'deck'.
Anything can be done, but should it?
Seriously, I have seen it also, but you run into practical, as well as legal issues doing this.
Practical....It is way long and complicated, like when you may want to back up and you can't! I saw a guy last summer with a similar rig as you want, but with a boat at the end. He had pulled into a gas station and discovered he could not make the turn after the pumps...Nightmare!
Legally, you will likely be over the GVCW of anything less than F550 with this load. The weight, once you cross past 15K, at least in CA, will trigger the a Private commercial drivers license. This brings all sorts of issues, as you can be held to commercial standards for tickets, alcohol limits (.03 vs .08), and have insurance issues due to being at greater risk of being held to a higher standard if in an accident. Plus, you have to take the test, sometimes it's very easy, other times, people have had to do a full commercial test including driving and pre-test walk around!
Another issue is length, 65' OA is a magic number, go over that and it can be considered an oversize load and require permits.
I would suggest lots of investigation prior to any final decision.
Good travels how ever you go.
Doug
Seriously, I have seen it also, but you run into practical, as well as legal issues doing this.
Practical....It is way long and complicated, like when you may want to back up and you can't! I saw a guy last summer with a similar rig as you want, but with a boat at the end. He had pulled into a gas station and discovered he could not make the turn after the pumps...Nightmare!
Legally, you will likely be over the GVCW of anything less than F550 with this load. The weight, once you cross past 15K, at least in CA, will trigger the a Private commercial drivers license. This brings all sorts of issues, as you can be held to commercial standards for tickets, alcohol limits (.03 vs .08), and have insurance issues due to being at greater risk of being held to a higher standard if in an accident. Plus, you have to take the test, sometimes it's very easy, other times, people have had to do a full commercial test including driving and pre-test walk around!
Another issue is length, 65' OA is a magic number, go over that and it can be considered an oversize load and require permits.
I would suggest lots of investigation prior to any final decision.
Good travels how ever you go.
Doug
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- #5
Thanks for the replies. I have a class A CDL since I own a construction company and move equipment around. California does have some restrictions not found in other states, and I too have seen the dilemma of trying to back up a double. Will give this more thought.
IMHO the triple backing up thing is no big deal as long as you plan ahead and fuel at truck stops. Maybe avoid the McDonalds drive through. If you have the CDL and enough seat time towing shouldn't be a big deal. Most Campgrounds will be the biggest problem.
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- #7
After pondering this for awhile I believe I will take the Volvo 670 out of service, stretch the frame enough to build a platform for the '40 behind the sleeper, add moveable ramps and a 5th wheel hitch for the trailer. The whole rig should be below 65' in length and by removing one rear axle be adequate for the task. The Volvo also has an automatic "I-shift" transmission for fuel efficiency and 300 gallons of fuel as well as the fridge and microwave in the sleeper. Thanks for the comments folks!