Tent camper question

[fireman]

The wife and I and looking at purchasing a tent camper. I was just wondering if it would be possible to pull a 17.5 foot boat behind the camper, or is that out of the question? Are tent campers able to be hooked up with trailer lights?

Thanks

[irvingdog]

I believe what you are asking about is called a "Michigan caravan" or a "sportsman's caravan", and is only legal in few, if any states. Michigan being one of them. They are not legal in Mn.

[fireman]

I was under the impression that in MN you could pull a camper and boat as long as it was under a certain length, but I could be wrong.

[Ryan_V]

that only applies to 5th wheel trailors. You can't put a boat behind anything else you tow, then there is even a lenght limit, I believe it is 65' or something around that, bumper to bumper. So if you buy a 5th wheel, you'd be fine...considering you have enough of a tow vehicle to handle it!!

[bbqhead]

you are correct on all accounts ryan....

randy aka bbqhead

certified rv tech

[fireman]

Thats what I was looking for. Thanks for the info.

[Littlejerk]

I pull my popup camper and my 16ft boat behind my pickup and it is legall. I bought a new popup just trying to figure out how to put a hitch on. The framing is different.

[Ryan_V]

who told you that is legal...it isn't. it has to be a 5th wheel to pull a boat behind it.

[phisher]

It is legal if you do not EXCEED the maximum length. But, why ask us, the answer is only a phone call away.

OR:

Subd. 3c. Recreational vehicle combination.

Notwithstanding subdivision 3, a recreational vehicle

combination may be operated without a permit if:

(1) the combination does not consist of more than three

vehicles, and the towing rating of the pickup truck is equal to

or greater than the total weight of all vehicles being towed;

(2) the combination does not exceed 60 feet in length;

(3) the camper-semitrailer in the combination does not

exceed 28 feet in length;

(4) the operator of the combination is at least 18 years of

age;

(5) the trailer carrying a watercraft, motorcycle,

motorized bicycle, off-highway motorcycle, snowmobile, or

all-terrain vehicle meets all requirements of law;

(6) the trailers in the combination are connected to the

pickup truck and each other in conformity with section 169.82;

and

(7) the combination is not operated within the seven-county

metropolitan area, as defined in section 473.121, subdivision 2,

during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00

p.m. on Mondays through Fridays.

this means yes, and no.

[IFallsRon]

pisher,

This is great information. I'm going outside with the tape right now.

I wonder if there are any restrictions regarding the bumper/tow coupling on the middle trailer. I've read that other states require a solid or tubular bumper.

This summer I saw a pickup/tent camper/boat trailer roll through St. Cloud. The truck had Wisconsin plates.

[Ryan_V]

you need to look in the definitions section of that chapter to see how they define a "recreational vehicle combination". it is as follows:

169.01 Sub 78

Subd. 78. Recreational vehicle combination.

"Recreational vehicle combination" means a combination of

vehicles consisting of a pickup truck as defined in section 168.011, subdivision 29, attached by means of a fifth-wheel coupling to a camper-semitrailer which has hitched to it a trailer carrying a watercraft as defined in section 86B.005, subdivision 18; off-highway motorcycle as defined in section 84.787, subdivision 7; motorcycle; motorized bicycle; snowmobile as defined in section 84.81, subdivision 3; or all-terrain vehicle as defined in section 84.92, subdivision 8. For

purposes of this subdivision:

(a) A "fifth-wheel coupling" is a coupling between a

camper-semitrailer and a towing pickup truck in which a portion

of the weight of the camper-semitrailer is carried over or

forward of the rear axle of the towing pickup.

( A "camper-semitrailer" is a trailer, other than a

manufactured home as defined in section 327B.01, subdivision 13,

designed for human habitation and used for vacation or

recreational purposes for limited periods.

so, the final answer to the question IS: you have to have a 5th wheel camper in order to put a boat or anything else behind it when towing with a truck.

also, they have extended the length limit to 70 feet now. that is as of aug 1st.

[YukonDew]

Fireman -

I was looking at my Jayco after reading your post - Take a good look at your camper frame. If it's anything like mine, I would have some work to do before I felt comfortable putting a hitch on it. Could be paranoia on my part, but I like lots of thick metal attached to any trailer hitch will be dating my boat. My pop-up seems to be made to be light - not strong.....