5th wheel trailers towing boats

[lumpy]

I see these rigs out on campgrounds and on the road. Thinking this might be the way to go to save on travel costs and trips during retirement. What are the pros and cons? I'm assuming I would have to buy a diesel truck to haul a 5th wheel and boat.

[icehousebob]

My older brother has a rig like that. He has a 27 foot fifth wheel trailer with a 19 foot boat behind, towed with a GMC diesel. He lives in South Dakota. Its not legal to tow in Minnesota because of the length. It can be done here but the length restriction means you have to use a short trailer. The first thing you find out is you have to be careful what gas stations you pull into. Its easy to get into a bottleneck where you can't back out.

[New Yankee]

I'm not certain it'd be a cost savings - 35K for a truck, 20K to the sky for a fifth wheel can buy a lot of nights in a resort.

Also, hit a search engine for state towing laws - MN max length is 45 ft, SD is 53 but many states limit it to 40 and don't allow double trailers.

However, if camping and fishing in your own rig is your thing, cost isn't really the driver.

You can tow with a big block gas engine, but if you do lots of it it'll also be pretty spendy at the pump.

May wish to look at a motor home(?). You can usually find late model class c units pretty reasonable, and you wouldn't have to worry about the state laws. I'm waiting to win the lottery and I'm getting one!

[Powerstroke]

I'll clarify things here.

In MN state statute 169.81 "height and length requirements"

No single vehicle may exceed 40' except for class A, B nd C motorhomes which may be up to 45' long.

No single trailer may exceed 45 feet including bumpers and the towbar assembly.

WHat you asked about is as follows......

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

[Powerstroke]

In other words, its completly legal in MN and on interstate travel. Just be prepared to prove all your registrations and the fact that its legal in MN or your home state.

If you're comfortable driving a vehicle that large then I think its a great idea. I drive commercial vehicles all day at work so I wouldn't even think twice about driving a rig like that.

The only problems I can think of come with fueling, parking and backing up. Its nearly impossible to safely back up a double. YOu have to have enough room to drop the boat safely, park your camper, then hook back up to the boat to take it to the landing and get your ship in the water.

AS far as needing a diesel pickup....I would highly recommend it. Not only do you get the added benefits of engine longevity, reliability, higher MPG (easily get 20mph unloaded), BUT you also get the added benefit of having an engine brake on your diesel engine to provide extra braking power that doesn't heat up and warp your brake rotors. Braking ability is paramount when towing that much weight.

The cost of a diesel pickup shouldn't even phase you if you plan on having a 5th wheel camper AND a boat or other recreational vehicle in tow.

I can only hope that someday I can afford to retire with this set-up.

[lip_ripper]

Lumpy

I happen to purchase a triple rig this year.
Here's what I own

1999 F-250 super duty V-10
2003 24 ft. Cherokee Lite Fifth wheel
2002 Alumacraft 17 ft. boat

The truck was purchased this year because of the weight to pull the 5 er and boat would have put me over weight restrictions. Check the GV's of the truck and weight of the 5er to give you an idea of what you can pull before buying anything. This will give you a general direction of what your capable of pulling. As far as a deisel goes it's nice for the lugging power but definitly not needed. I know of some people pulling rigs with 3/4 tons , V 8 without a problem.

The only restriction on the 5er is it cannot be over 28 feet in length and the total combo is not supposed to be over 60 feet. Many people are a little over but it doesn't seem to be a real problem with the law.

As far as manuvering..........a little common sense will go a long way. Think ahead
and you won't get on a jam. Most gas stations have a high enough canopy to get under. Just gas up before you hook your rig up and it makes life that muchn easier.

One nice thing is once you get to your destination you can unhook your rig and fish different lakes or go to town without moving camp!

One negative would be you can't see your boat behind your fifth wheel. Some people install rear cameras or stick a flag out the side of it.

I love my fifth and towing my boat behind.Don't let people scare you from doing it .........just take your time drive and use common sense.

[This message has been edited by Rick (edited 09-28-2004).]

[SteveWilson]

I've been thinking about that type of rig myself. Another option would be a camper pulling a boat. There are some slide out camper shells that give you some room.

[DTro]

All's good till those Iowans get a hold of one:

Anglers always talk about the one that got away.
But an Iowa fisherman, who lost his boat Saturday after it was struck by a train at a railroad crossing in Orr, will remember the one that didn’t.

Richard Reddick’s boat was totaled after being hit by a Canadian National train around noon at the railroad crossing on County Highway 23. The collision also damaged equipment at the railroad crossing that was replaced the same day by a Canadian National work crew.

No one was injured in the accident, according to Lt. John Goad of the Minnesota State Patrol. “The boat just got shmucked by the train,” said Goad.

Goad said Reddick was driving a pickup with a fifth-wheel behind it and a boat behind the camper. When he stopped at the traffic light at the Highway 53 intersection, it left his boat on the tracks, Goad said.

State law allows vehicles towing trailers and boats to be up to 60 feet long, according to Goad, who added that he believed Reddick was within the limit.

[Kevin Turner]

When I pull my Fifth Wheel and Aluminum Boat, I don't really notice the boat at all. I can't see the boat in my mirrors, which is a bummer (wondering if it's there, or if everything is alright). I do pay attention to areas that my trap me, but if the camper makes it, I know my boat will follow (well, it has so far).
BTW, Thanks for the info on rush hour limits, I Wasn't aware....Kevin