BajaNomad - Pullin triples

Pullin triples

Steve&Debby - 4-8-2014 at 09:08 PM

Does anyone no if it is ok to pull a trailer behind a fifth wheel toy hauler in Baja?

watizname - 4-8-2014 at 09:18 PM

Scary thought. I don't know if you could get it through a border town without someone dying. Just a personal opinion. Don't know if it's legal.

DENNIS - 4-9-2014 at 06:36 AM

Shippers pull trip 27s right through town.

bajalearner - 4-9-2014 at 07:05 AM

I do not know the answer to your question (OK or legal) but to counter the other stated opinion, I don't see any problem with that. That would not be "scary" to me. I assume the other opinion is as if he was driving the rig, then he knows his limitations I guess.

I don't think each time you drive through a border town someone will die because of you.

Unrelated to your question, but doubles in California requires a commercial license and a current medical card.

[Edited on 4-9-2014 by bajalearner]

Steve&Debby - 4-9-2014 at 07:33 AM

I have the proper license to pull triples in California

DENNIS - 4-9-2014 at 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve&ebby
I have the proper license to pull triples in California

I didn't know California allowed that. :?:

bajalearner - 4-9-2014 at 07:46 AM

There's a little confusion with the post. He said "triples" but described doubles in the narrative. Pullint two trailers is legal in CA but not 3 trailers.

DENNIS - 4-9-2014 at 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner
There's a little confusion with the post. He said "triples" but described doubles in the narrative. Pullint two trailers is legal in CA but not 3 trailers.

Even pulling two, as with RVs, I would think has restrictions.
I believe freight haulers in the states are limited to 27 foot trailers when pulling trips. I've seen triple 40s on the road in Mexico.
I'm not real sure about the RV thing though.

chippy - 4-9-2014 at 08:50 AM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Road_Trai...

watizname - 4-9-2014 at 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner
I do not know the answer to your question (OK or legal) but to counter the other stated opinion, I don't see any problem with that. That would not be "scary" to me. I assume the other opinion is as if he was driving the rig, then he knows his limitations I guess.

I don't think each time you drive through a border town someone will die because of you.

Unrelated to your question, but doubles in California requires a commercial license and a current medical card.

[Edited on 4-9-2014 by bajalearner]

Speaking of my own limitations of course. With just a camper on my truck and a trailer with a toy, I have had some sketchy moments on Mex 1. Mainly due to others. :yes:

Pompano - 4-9-2014 at 09:14 AM

This question gets asked frequently.

Yes, you can tow 'triple' tow as you say in Mexico (Baja), understanding that 'triple' towing means 3 units...the tow vehicle, and 2 towed units behind. Also known as 'double' towing. I have done this dozens of times on Hwy 1 from the US border to Mulege, passing by many federal and local police and have never been stopped or questioned. It gets a little hairy passing through customs on the return to the US, but doable if you can get directed to the commercial lane.

California towing laws:

•Max Vehicle Height: 14'
•Max Vehicle Width: 8 1/2'
•Combined Length: 65' (and up to 75' on Interstates)
•Max Trailer Length: Not Specified.
•Max Trailer Width: 8'6"
•Max Trailer Height: 14'0"
•Motor Home Length: 45'. Some exceptions or restrictions.
•Two Vehicle Max Length: 65'
•Triple Tow Allowed: Yes Total maximum combined length of 65 ft.
•Safety Chains Required: Yes
•Breakaway Required: Yes
•Fire Extinguisher: Yes
•Flares & Signs: Yes
•Trailer Brakes Required: 1500 Gross weight requiring brakes.
•Towed Cars: Brakes must be sufficient to stop within a specified distance according to weight, at 20 mph.
•Wipers: Not Stated
•Max Tow Speed: 55
•Ride in 5th Wheel: Yes Riding in fifth-wheel with audible or visual device with tow vehicle and safety glass. At least one exit that can be opened from outside and inside
•Ride Pickup Camper: Yes. If passenger can communicate with driver, and exit can be opened from both interior and exterior. CA: Seat belts required.
•Ride Travel Trailer: Not Specified.
•Weight Limits for Towing without Auxiliary Brakes: 1500lbs.
•Maximum Length - RV & Trailer Combo: 65ft.Includes Bumpers. In California, required safety devices may not extend more than 10"

Here is a quick reference to towing laws in all US states and Canadian provinces.

http://www.readybrake.com/state_laws.html#CA

I've done it for many years with a pickup, fifth wheel, and boat...totalling 75' overall. I do have a CDL with HAZMAT, but have never been asked to show it. I have seen a LOT of similar towing combos over the years...literally everywhere where allowed. This combo is very common for RVers in western places, especially Montana, ND, Sask, Manitoba ...and Hwy 1 in Baja.

If still in doubt, just ask at the nearest Mexican embassy or try a related website. Good luck and stay well behind the semi-trucks, using them as your point man.

[Edited on 4-10-2014 by Pompano]

DENNIS - 4-9-2014 at 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by chippy
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Road_Trai...

This tractor is probably a " yard-dog" that pulls various loads here and there within a freight yard.

No way that I believe this train would be on the open road.

It would be fun to watch the driver back it up.

J.P. - 4-9-2014 at 09:16 AM

You can pull doubles in Ca.as long as the combined length isn't over 65ft.and the middle trailer has brakes. you also need the propped endorsements on your license.
on the Interstate highway the combined length can't be over 75ft.
Mexico allows you to do the same if you have the proper endorsements on your home state license.

DavidE - 4-9-2014 at 09:25 AM

Yer gonna get nailed by the patrulla federal.

Truck, trailer, and semi, require an SPF license plate, and license de chofer comercial. Placas front and rear Cuidado Trailer Double Remolque.

How all this is enforced is the question. Try asking your surplus line broker if they will offer liability insurance on such a rig. But if you get stopped it is the end of the line. One trailer has to be detached right then and there.

And federal law is different than state laws which the municipios abide by. This is why there are perifericos or libramientos for trafico pesado.

Your mileage may vary

chippy - 4-9-2014 at 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by chippy
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Road_Trai...

This tractor is probably a " yard-dog" that pulls various loads here and there within a freight yard.

No way that I believe this train would be on the open road

It would be fun to watch the driver back it up.

They run at night across the Nullarbor Plain in So. OZ. The flatest straightest highway in the world (according to my Aussie friends).

triples

baja2013 - 4-9-2014 at 10:24 AM

Have a Friend near Mulege ,he has done that for many years.......

Legal

MrBillM - 4-9-2014 at 10:27 AM

I had an acquaintance who was properly licensed in CA and towed said (two trailer) combination to Baja numerous times per year for over twenty years (that I know of) without incident.

Jaybo - 4-9-2014 at 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by chippy
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Road_Trai...

Oh but it IS on the open road in Australia. a yard dog tractor would not need to pull around 4 trailers in a yard. It would take forever to hook it up for one, vs just a single tractor latching and moving a single trailer FAR faster.

Read more about them here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_train

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 4-9-2014 at 05:49 PM

Hola,

a frriend of mine has towed his 30' fifth wheel and a 12' utility trailer behind an F 350 ford diesel many times between eugene, oregon and los barriles with no problems.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

Bob53 - 4-9-2014 at 06:06 PM

I've seen it done in Baja on more than one occasion. Truck, trailer and boat.

Steve&Debby - 4-9-2014 at 09:16 PM

Thanks All, When I said triples I was talking about what Pomp said.Not a truck and 3 trailers,witch is illegal in California,witch is stupid . California would not want to do anything that might save a little fuel and cost now would they?

BajaParrothead - 4-9-2014 at 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
This question gets asked frequently.

•Ride Travel Trailer: Not Specified.

Riding in a "bumper pull" travel trailer, boat trailer, goose neck attached trailer etc. is illegal in California. The only exception is the one stated above regarding 5th wheels with communication devices, safety glass and doors.

Pompano - 4-10-2014 at 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaParrothead

Riding in a "bumper pull" travel trailer, boat trailer, goose neck attached trailer etc. is illegal in California. The only exception is the one stated above regarding 5th wheels with communication devices, safety glass and doors.

True enough for that type of tow...US regulations do not allow passengers in a TT (travel trailer) or any towed unit other then the 'fifth wheel' type meeting certain requirements. In our case towing a fifth wheel, whenever someone has wanted or had to ride in the fiver, ( a very rare event) for communication we use hand-held VHF radios or the handy walkie-talkies so prevalent these days.

Having a passenger riding in the fiver is not a common practice, and while it can be legal, it's not anything I would advise.

[Edited on 4-10-2014 by Pompano]