Thank you for all the feedback that we received on this subject at ask@tfltruck.com We received lots of great advice about how to tow two trailers safely, and also what not to do. Many of you said that a half-ton truck should never pull a 5th-wheel trailer or double trailers. Can a half-ton truck be rated to tow a 5th-wheel trailer?
There are specific smaller 5th-wheel camping trailers that are specifically designed to be pulled by a modern half-ton truck, such as a Chevy Silverado 1500. This Cougar 23MLS is just one of these 5th-wheel RV trailers. This trailer has a hitch weight that start at 1,335 lbs and can be as high as 1,500 lbs. Can every half-ton truck tow this trailer? No! You must look at the payload, towing, GVWR, GCWR, and GAWR limits on your specific truck to make sure the truck has enough capacity to tow something like this.
Many truck manufacturers, such as Ford, have very detailed towing guides on 5th-wheel trailer weight ratings for the Ford F-150.
Here at TFLtruck, we have spent countless hours showing and discussing how to check the payload, towing, and other ratings of your truck.
There is a reason why commercial drivers go to school for a month and take special tests to be able to tow double or triple trailers. This is difficult, dangerous, and requires knowledge and respect.
Here are some of the images and comments you submitted on this subject.
Charlie Miller Towing and Recovery says:
“Big fan of y’all work! We back two trailers or doubles quite regularly. Let me know if you need lessons, I’d be glad to help!“
Patrick says:
“As a commercial driver, all I want to say is – ‘be patient’. The truck you daily drive is now TONS heavier, and far longer. Avoid your phone, use your mirrors. Employ your co driver, have them work instead of nodding off. Make this a team effort if possible. Allow much longer time to travel, some hills might require you to drop a trailer, drag one up/down the hill, and fetch the second. Strive for safety. Transmission, brakes and engine are far more stressed with a second trailer than just one. DUH!!! Yet some forget this. Park far away; you need the added turning radius and maybe the exercise as well. Mostly, be patient.“
Tracy says:
“I’m a semi-retired 31-year Teamster truck driver. Been pulling rig since day 1. My advice to anyone doing this is always (if possible) make all your turns wide. Always look forward when pulling into gas stations, etc. I’ve had a couple of incidents where i had to back out. Yes its possible but a little unnerving. Your mirrors are also your best friends. USE THEM !!!“
Jim says:
“As a 25 year veteran of a CDL, with doubles and triples under my belt. I really want people to understand that there is a lot going on behind the driver. This is not something for most people. 100% attention to driving is a must. Things quickly turn from ok to a real problem. the mechanics of doubles and triples require special attention, tongue weight and loading are really important. They will not pull correctly if you haven’t paid attention to these things. Most pick-up trucks do not have adequate mirrors for such a load. Even towing mirrors have large blind spots. Just because people have a diesel engine doesn’t mean they can SAFELY pull the load. Always hook and un-hook on a flat area with wheel chocks… As a heavy truck tow operator, most of the doubles/triples I had to go rescue was because of improper hooking and un-hooking. Be patient. Stay calm. Be safe. The amount of room it takes to maneuver these things is almost un-imaginable. It is not for most drivers.“
Here is our crew towing double on the Ike Gauntlet – world’s toughest towing test.
