extended reciever hitch?

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Friend wants to triple tow a boat followed by a small pop up camper.  I've built a reciver for the back of a boat trailer with a looong hitch to clear the I/O's lower unit before but was wondering if there were any new ideas on how to build the "stinger"  as far as re-enforcing for strength etc.?  toungue weight on camper is less then 200 lbs.   TB
Reply:Are there ANY situations during which the truck could have negative tongue weight due to the lever action of the tongue of the camper?  Is the boat trailer a single or tandem axle?Is this legal?  I don't know.I do know that around here a commercial driver's license would be required, assuming the hitch was legal to start with.
Reply:Its a double axle boat trailer (22' boat)  single axle small camper.  They triple tow with a fifth wheel pulling a boat alot up here.  There are factory built extensions for pickup campers that stick out 3-4 feet.  No cdl Just a healthy belief in a higher power! I beleive it all to be legal but I'll do a quick search.  TB
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702I do know that around here a commercial driver's license would be required, assuming the hitch was legal to start with.
Reply:Oops...posted at the same time. I'd want the boat in the middle for sure. The hitch for the pop up is a risky one...any hitch failure and the boat motor is toast.  I know the pop ups don't have much weight on the tongue. At least it wouldn't have to be too beefy.
Reply:THe popup should be much heavier than the boat.  As far as I can tell, the fed regs do permit triples, (two trailers) but Ive read places like Calif and other places have gone above and beyond.  Wont permit the triple run like we do in Texas.  My uncle got busted in calif, had to ditch one trailer get across the border, find a truck stop to store the other trailer go back for the second trailer.  It wasa  big PITA.IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Chris, the last pop up we had, a 12 footer, weighed in at a little less than 2500#. The bass boat was a whopping 5200 or 5500 without trailer IIRC. It was a heavy beast in and out of the water.  Don't remember how much the whole rig was...maybe 7200 or so...anyway it was over 7k.Besides, what did your uncle expect in the People's Republik of Kalifornia anyway? They ain't got no smarts like weuns do!
Reply:I'd bet around 3500 -4000 for the boat and maybe 1200 for popup.  I'm thinking 2x2 1/8 square tube(jk)  Do you think if I do 2x2 1/4 and did some type of truss arangement as well as safety chain extensions that would be enough?  TB
Reply:Originally Posted by DDA52Not if you don't go over 26,000 # and around 75 feet long or so....don't remember the fed reg on that one. It may be in the 80's. I see snow birds all the time with triples.As to design, man...that one will be a can of worms. I might be tempted to reinforce the frame and bumper of camper and haul the boat off of it...but then that isn't ideal either....with the heavier load in the rear instead of middle. Wait..which is the heavier...boat or pop up??
Reply:Originally Posted by MAC702Are CDLs federally controlled and not state-dependent?  I guess I always assumed even a CDL was a state license with each state's requirements.  The guys I did hear it from towed some heavier things, so maybe there is a weight limit that allows you a normal license.  My NV license specifically says that I may "tow a vehicle less than 10,000#."
Reply:Originally Posted by dichdocI'd bet around 3500 -4000 for the boat and maybe 1200 for popup.  I'm thinking 2x2 1/8 square tube(jk)  Do you think if I do 2x2 1/4 and did some type of truss arangement as well as safety chain extensions that would be enough?  TB
Reply:Originally Posted by DDA52Besides, what did your uncle expect in the People's Republik of Kalifornia anyway? They ain't got no smarts like weuns do!
Reply:From what I hear on the boards....I believe it is a ferrin land. I was being sarcastic about the smarts anyway....I got the last of my wisdom removed last week...hence the pain pills. Now I am as dumb as everyone else is.   At least that is what I tell my wifee when she is getting after me for not doing something.
Reply:Check with your local camper supply. They carry a solid steel 2ft. for towing behind a slide in camper. Some slide ins extend well over the rear bumper.
Reply:Two trailer units are allowed.  However, the first trailer has to be a fifth wheel - no straight trailer hitch.In this case a boat trailer and then a pop up would not be allowed.  It all has something to do with the way they are coupled and the attachments.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below
Reply:In Jersey it is legal for "doubles" but you must use a pintle hook on both trailers (not a ball) and you must use a 5th wheel on the first trailer and the second must be of the 5th wheel design and be riding on a "dolly" (neither trailer can be a "tag" trailer).  I would look into an inflatable boat like a Zodiak and forget about double trailers, I have driven tractor trailer doubles and they are a big PITA!I weld just to keep my snow plows ready for next Winter!