Towing Laws: Multiple Trailers And Their Legality

The laws regarding whether passengers can ride in a fifth-wheel camper vary from state to state across the US. While some states allow passengers to ride in fifth-wheel campers, others require certain safety measures to be in place, and some prohibit it altogether.

For example, in California, it is legal to ride in a fifth-wheel camper, but only if it has safety glass in windows and doors, an audible or visual signalling device between the driver and passengers, and at least one unobstructed exit. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, it is illegal to ride in a truck camper, but it is legal to ride in a fifth-wheel camper, as long as it has safety glass in all windows and is attached to the tow truck by a fifth-wheel coupling device.

It is important to note that even in states where it is legal to ride in a fifth-wheel camper, safety concerns have been raised, particularly regarding the lack of seatbelts and other safety features.

Is it legal to ride in a 5th wheel or travel trailer?

The laws regarding riding in a 5th-wheel or travel trailer vary from state to state in the US. While it is illegal under all circumstances in some states, others allow it with certain restrictions, and a few have no restrictions at all.

States Where It Is Illegal to Ride in a 5th Wheel or Travel Trailer

It is illegal for passengers to ride in a 5th wheel or travel trailer under any circumstances in the following states:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia

States Where It Is Legal to Ride in a 5th Wheel or Travel Trailer With No Restrictions

The following states do allow passengers to ride in a 5th wheel or travel trailer without added regulations:

• Arizona
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma

States Where It Is Legal to Ride in a 5th Wheel or Travel Trailer With Restrictions

Some states do allow passengers to ride in a 5th wheel or travel trailer with added restrictions, such as age limits or requirements for communication between the driver and passengers.

Age restrictions:

• Kansas (over 14 years old)
• Hawaii (over 13 years old)

Communication/access restrictions:

• California
• Georgia
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota

Safety and Comfort Concerns

While riding in a 5th wheel or travel trailer may be legal in some states, it is strongly discouraged due to safety concerns. Most towable campers lack seat belts and other safety features such as airbags, which can result in significant injury or death in the event of an accident. In addition, travel trailers are particularly unstable and pose an even greater safety risk.

Even if it is legal and safe, riding in a 5th wheel or travel trailer can also be very uncomfortable due to limited space and bumpy rides.

What are the safety concerns?

Safety is a key concern when towing a second trailer behind a fifth wheel. Here are some of the main safety issues to be aware of:

Vehicle Weight and Towing Capacity

Before considering towing a second trailer, it's crucial to ensure your pickup truck can handle the total load of both trailers. The combined gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the fifth wheel and the companion trailer should not exceed 80% of the truck's maximum towing capacity. This leaves a 20% power reserve, which is essential for merging into traffic, climbing steep inclines, and maintaining control on loose surfaces.

Hitch Weight Ratings

In addition to the truck's towing capacity, it's important to check the weight ratings of the hitches. The hitch on the pickup truck must be rated to handle the combined GVWR of the fifth wheel and the second trailer. The hitch on the fifth wheel should be rated to handle the weight of the companion trailer, again with a recommended 20% reserve.

Safety Chains, Brakes, and Tire Pressure

Safety chains, correctly configured, provide an extra layer of security. They should be attached to the outer edge of the fifth wheel hitch in an X shape. Additionally, functional brake lights and turn signals are a must. It's also essential to check that all brakes are working properly before setting off, as they will be under a lot of stress. Maintaining proper tire pressure on the truck and both trailers is critical to staying within weight limits and avoiding blowouts.

Driver Skill and Road Conditions

The skill and attentiveness of the driver play a significant role in the safety of triple towing. It takes practice to get a feel for how the truck and both trailers perform. Driving at slower speeds and avoiding peak traffic times can help reduce the risk of accidents. Strong winds, slick roads, and bad weather can be particularly challenging when towing a second trailer, increasing the risk of losing control or encountering tracking problems.

Legal Considerations

Finally, it's important to note that triple towing is not permitted in all states. About half of the US states allow it with certain limitations, while others forbid it entirely. When planning a trip involving triple towing, it's crucial to research and comply with the regulations of each state you'll be visiting or passing through. Some states also require special permits or licenses for triple towing.

What are the comfort concerns?

Comfort is an important consideration when deciding whether to ride in a 5th wheel or travel trailer. Here are some key comfort concerns to keep in mind:

Cramped Space:

Most 5th wheels and travel trailers have limited space, especially when the slides are closed. This can make it uncomfortable for passengers, especially on long journeys.

Bumpy Ride:

Riding in a 5th wheel or travel trailer can be a bumpy and unstable experience. The trailer will move and shake with every turn and bump in the road, which can be uncomfortable and even nauseating for passengers.

Lack of Amenities:

While 5th wheels and travel trailers may have basic amenities like a kitchen and bathroom, they may not offer the same level of comfort as a motorhome or stick-built home. The sleeping arrangements may be cramped, and there may not be enough storage space for all your belongings.

Separation from Driving Space:

When travelling in a 5th wheel or travel trailer, you are separated from the driver and the main vehicle. This can make it inconvenient to access the kitchen, bathroom, or other amenities while on the road. You may also feel isolated or lonely if you are the only passenger in the trailer.

Inconvenience for Short Trips:

Setting up and breaking down a 5th wheel or travel trailer can be time-consuming and cumbersome. If you are taking frequent short trips, the hassle of setting up and breaking down the trailer may outweigh the benefits of having the extra space.

Limited Maneuverability:

Due to their size and weight, 5th wheels and travel trailers can be difficult to manoeuvre, especially in tight spaces. This can make it challenging to navigate through drive-throughs, parking lots, or narrow roads.

Storage Concerns:

When you're not using your 5th wheel or travel trailer, you'll need to find a place to store it. These trailers can take up a significant amount of space, and you may need to rent a storage unit or find a suitable storage location.

What are the state-specific laws?

State-specific laws regarding towing vary across the US. Here is a list of some of the state-specific laws regarding towing:

Alabama

The connection or drawbar between the towing vehicle and the towed object cannot exceed 15 feet in length. A red flag or cloth no smaller than 12 x 12 inches must be used. Any trailer, vehicle, pole trailer, or semi-trailer that is being drawn by another vehicle must have one tail lamp on the rear end that gives off a red light that can be seen from 500 feet away. Mounted between 20-60 inches from the ground, there must be two reflectors on the rear-facing end (one on each side). If the trailer or the load being towed obstructs the view of the vehicle's stop light, one must be placed on the towed vehicle.

Alaska

All trailers must be titled and registered. The towing and towed vehicles must be attached twice: once with a regular tow hitch or coupling, and second with chains, safety chains, cables, or something equivalent. The required lights on trailers include license plate lights, two clearance lights, and left-side mirrors (an interior mirror can be used as the second). You may only go 45 mph when towing a mobile home. Riding in the back of a pickup or in a camper is permitted, but riding in the back of a house trailer that is being towed is not.

Arizona

You may pull two different units only if the middle one has a 5th wheel and a weight equal to or greater than the rear unit. If the rear unit is 3,000 lbs or more and has brakes, this rule does not apply. The length of the trailer hitch cannot exceed 15 feet when connecting one vehicle to another.

For lighting, any trailer weighing more than 3,000 lbs must have two clearance lamps at the front (one on each side), two side markers and two reflectors on each side (one near or at the front and one near or at the rear), two clearance lamps, two reflectors, and two stoplights at the rear (one of each on each side). If the view of the trailer or a towed vehicle is obstructed, there must be mirrors that reflect at least 200 feet. Non-commercial trailers with a GVW of 10,000 lbs or less must have a permanent trailer registration (travel and tent trailers are exempt).

Any trailer or semi-trailer that weighs 3,000 lbs or more must have brakes that can control the movement, stop, and hold the vehicle. Any new trailer (or semi-trailer) over 1,500 lbs must have brakes placed on all four wheels.

Arkansas

The connection between the towing and the towed vehicles must be strong, and the law ensures that by requiring a safety chain on all trailers. A 12-inch marker cloth or flag must be placed on connections that are only chains, cables, or ropes.

Arkansas requires reflectors on each side, taillights, brake lights (only if the view of the vehicle brake light is obscured), and license plate lights. If the vehicle is wider than 80 inches, they require turning signals.

California

Any vehicle made before 1940 with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 6,000 lbs that moves faster than 20 mph must have brakes. Vehicles made after 1966 with a GVW of 3,000 lbs must have brakes on at least two wheels. Every vehicle made after 1982 must have brakes on all wheels, and every trailer coach or camp trailer with a GVW of 1,500 lbs must have brakes on at least two wheels.

A manual release locking device (a breakaway mechanism) must be on fifth-wheel connections and adapters.

For signals and lighting, the state requires reflectors, tail, brake, and license plate lights. A lamp-style turn signal system is required on a combination of vehicles when towing a trailer coach or camp trailer and on all trailers and semi-trailers 80 inches or more. Vehicles over 80 inches or more need to have one red clearance lamp on each side, one amber clearance lamp on each side, two amber side-marker lamps on each side, two red side marker lamps, and at least three red emergency reflectors.

Every vehicle that sits at the end of a combination of two vehicles is required to have two tail lamps, and every second vehicle that measures less than thirty inches wide needs to have one tail lamp.

Mirrors are required on both sides of the towing vehicle, which should show at least 200 feet on the road behind.

Colorado

A trailer or semi-trailer that weighs more than 3,000 lbs must have two individual means of applying brakes that can control the movement of and stop and hold such a vehicle. The brakes must be designed to be applied by the driver of the towing vehicle from the cab. There must also be a breakaway mechanism.

Towed vehicles that weigh less than 3,000 pounds, a horse trailer that can hold two horses or fewer, or a trailer that does not meet the definition of a commercial vehicle and is owned by a farmer transporting agricultural products do not need to be equipped with brakes.

For lighting, Colorado requires one red taillight that is visible over 500 feet away, positioned between 20-72 inches from the ground. Mirrors have to give the driver of the towing vehicle a view of 200 feet of the road behind, and there must be a safety chain that is capable of pulling the full weight of the towed vehicle.

Connecticut

Connecticut requires two connections from the towing to the towed vehicle: one via hitch and the other via safety chains, chains, cables, or a similar feature able to handle the trailer in the event of failure.

Trailer lighting in Connecticut is broken up into four categories, including all trailers, those less than 80 inches wide, those greater than 80 inches wide, and those with a length of 30 feet or longer. All trailers are required to have at least two tail lamps that can be seen up to 1,000 feet, two red rear-facing reflectors, and two red taillights. Trailers that measure less than 80 inches wide must have two rear-facing red reflectors, two or more tail lights mounted anywhere between 15 and 72 inches off the ground, and turning signals. The turning signals have to be either red or amber and be mounted somewhere between 15-83 inches off the ground. For trailers that are more than 80 inches wide, there must be two front clearance lamps, two rear-facing clearance lamps, and three identification lamps mounted at the vertical centerline. For trailers longer than 30 feet, two amber side marker lamps on each side (one on the front and one at the rear) and two reflectors on each side. Trailers with an overall length of 30 feet or more must have one amber side marker lamp on each side and one amber lamp at the center point of the trailer lengthwise.

Connecticut also requires two mirrors on the outside and prohibits riding inside moving house trailers.

Delaware

No vehicle can pull more than one at a time on the highway. The drawbar may be no longer than 15 feet, and the connection must also have a chain, rope, or cable. The connection must be marked with a red flag or cloth that is 12 inches square. Also, a safety chain is highly recommended.

A trailer must be equipped with brakes that can control, stop, and hold the weight, and there must be two separate means of applying the brakes. For lighting, there must be a tail lamp that is mounted on the rear, and it must be visible from 500 feet away. Also, riding in a towed trailer is completely prohibited.

Florida

Towed vehicles must be equipped with brakes that can control, stop, and hold the vehicle under all loading conditions, but pole trailers built before 1972 don't need brakes. There need to be two means of applying brakes to the towed vehicle. In addition to the hitch, there must be safety chains, chains, cables, or other safety devices connecting the towed and towing vehicles.

Florida has very specific requirements for the colours of lights and where they go. For general lighting, Florida requires two tail lamps mounted on the rear visible from 1,000 feet, and nothing can obscure this. The license plate needs to be illuminated by a white light. Turning signals are required on every kind of towed vehicle and towed vehicle.

The mirrors of the towing vehicle need to show over at least 200 feet of the road behind.

Florida also has speed limitations for trailers. In residential areas and business districts, one vehicle towing another cannot exceed 30 mph. At any other time, in any other setting, they cannot exceed 55 mph. On turnpikes and other designated highways, they cannot exceed 65 mph. Additionally, riding is never permitted during the movement of a house trailer.

Georgia

Georgia requires brakes on all the wheels on a combination of vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of 3,000 lbs. A safety chain is always required. For every trailer and pole trailer, there must be two tail lights between 20-60 inches from the ground that emit a plain red light visible from 500 feet away. If the view from the rear-facing mirror is obstructed, a mirror must be added to reflect 200 feet of the road behind.

When towing a trailer over 3,000 lbs, the state requires special permits and additional brakes attached. There is also an additional speed limit of 55 and 30 mph in urban and residential districts.

Idaho

Trailers with an unloaded weight of over 1,500 lbs must have braking systems, as well as a breakaway system. The hitch must be secured to the frame, and there is a safety chain requirement. Side mirrors are required if the rear-facing mirror is blocked.

Trailers can go the speed as posted. Towing vehicles can tow up to two units behind them. As for lighting, the state of Idaho requires every type of trailer or drawn vehicle to have one red rear tail lamp that is visible up to 500 feet away. Vehicles weighing over 3,000 lbs must have two reflectors on the rear and two reflectors on the front (one on each side). And if the stoplight is obscured, an additional one must be attached.

Illinois

Illinois requires a breakaway system for vehicles over 3,000 lbs, and up until 5,000 lbs, there need to be brakes attached to at least one wheel on each side. For towed vehicles over 5,000 lbs, brakes need to be on all wheels and have an automatic brake system.

The hitch cannot extend more than 4 inches away from the bumper and needs to be accompanied by safety chains along with a coupling bar (drawbar).

The lighting required on towing and towed vehicles includes two tail lamps that are red and can be seen from 500 feet away, a license plate light that is white, and electric turning signals (red or amber) on every trailer or semi-trailer that are mounted at the same height and spread as wide as possible.

For trailers that are 3,000 pounds or less, two amber reflectors must be mounted on each side of the vehicle no higher than 5 feet. The rear-facing mirrors must be able to display 200 feet of the road, and there is no riding in trailers permitted on public highways.

Indiana

The brakes on a towing vehicle over 3,000 lbs must be able to control, stop, and hold the weight. The driver must be able to pull the brake and fully stop the vehicle. Double safety chains are required.

For lighting, on the rear, one red tail light must be mounted and visible, and two or more white tail lights need to be mounted between 20-72 inches from the ground. A rear plate light also has to be mounted that is visible from 50 feet away.

A rear-facing mirror or side mirrors need to make 200 feet of the road visible to the driver. Towing vehicles can drive the speed limit posted, and there is nothing said in the Indiana legislature about riding in a towed vehicle.

Iowa

Towed vehicles that weigh over 3,000 pounds must have brakes that can control, hold, and stop movement. There must be two separate means of applying the brake, and the braking mechanism needs to be present on at least two wheels. The mechanism needs to be designed so that failure doesn’t result in all the brakes failing.

For connecting the vehicles, there must be a drawbar not exceeding 21 feet attaching one vehicle to another. And if the view of the rear is obstructed, side mirrors must be added, but if not towing, they must be removed.

The lighting on vehicles over 3,000 pounds must include two front clearance lamps (if the towed vehicle is wider than the widest parts of the towing vehicle), one side-marker near or at the rear, two reflectors (one near or at the front and one near or at the rear), and one stop light. Iowa requires side mirrors to be added if the rear view is obstructed, and when a vehicle is not towing, side mirrors must be removed.

Additionally, on interstates, trailers cannot exceed 70 mph or whatever speed is posted.

Kansas

Kansas requires a service braking system that can stop the combination of vehicles within 40 feet when moving at 20 mph, and the parking system must be able to hold the vehicle still. The towed vehicle needs to have a safety chain along with the hitch connection.

As for lighting, Kansas has different lighting requirements for different kinds of trailers. For more generic lighting requirements, there needs to be a white light for the license plate and two rear red-coloured reflectors. On trailers 80 inches or wider, the front must have two clearance lamps (one on each side), the rear must have two clearance lamps (one on each side), and the side must have two side marker lamps and two reflectors (for both, one needs to be near or at the rear and one needs to be near or at the front).

No trailer can go more than 55 mph, and no one can ride in the trailer if it’s traveling on a public roadway.

Kentucky

Kentucky's legislature doesn’t have much to say about trailer towing. There are no specific laws mentioning brake systems on towed vehicles, but the state does need the vehicle (or a combination of them) to stop. And there is little mention of the hitch or connection beyond the requirement of safety chains.

As for tow lighting, Kentucky changes the exact requirements depending on the class of the vehicle. At the very least, we can say that the towed vehicle must have one light that is amber on the left side that is mounted on the front and visible to oncoming traffic. On the rear, a red light is also required on the left side, but the rear light must be visible 1,000 feet away. All semi-trailers and trailers need a brake light visible from 500 feet away.

For trailers wider than 84 inches, the lighting requirements include two clearance lights on the left side, one white light on the front that is visible from the front, and two red lights on and seen from the rear (must be visible from 500 feet away).

Louisiana

Each trailer over 3,000 lbs needs to have adequate brakes to control, stop and hold the load. The driver must be able to apply the brakes from the driver's seat. Every trailer built after 1962 needs to have brakes functioning on all the wheels. Any trailer between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds needs to have brakes on at least one axle.

For the hitch, there are no requirements on how the hitch or mount is connected to the car. Any loads under 6,000 lbs need to have a safety chain in addition to a connection. A tow bar is not required. The driver needs to be able to see at least 200 feet of the road behind via the left-side mirror, which means the mirrors need to enable that.

The speed trailers can travel is limited based on the type of trailer, meaning that boat trailers may travel the same speeds as passenger vehicles, but house trailers have limitations based on day and night. During the day, they are limited to 55 mph, and during the night, on brake-equipped trailers, between 15-32 feet long, trailers may travel 50 mph. All other trailers are limited to 45 mph.

Lighting requirements are only listed for trailers wider than 80 inches and for those longer than 30 feet. For the first group, the state requires two clearance lamps (one posted on each side), two rear clearance lamps (one posted on each side), two side marker lamps (one near the front and one near the rear), and two reflectors (one near the front and one near the rear).

For trailers 30 feet or longer, one amber side marker and one amber reflector are required to be posted centrally on each side. But no matter what kind of trailer or semi-trailer you have, there needs to be a red light mounted on the rear that is visible over 1,000 feet away.

The connection between the two vehicles needs to be less than 15 feet, and if it is made by a chain, rope, or cable, a red flag (12 inches squared) needs to be attached. Riding in a towed vehicle is never allowed, and a max of two trailers may be towed by a passenger or pleasure vehicle.

Maryland

A parking brake is required to hold the weight of the combination of vehicles on any slope or grade. Trailers over 3,000 lbs need to have brakes on all wheels. Trailers under 3,000 lbs do not need brakes on all wheels if the weight of the trailer does not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle. But trailers between three and ten thousand pounds do not need brakes on all the wheels if there are more than two axles. The brakes just need to be on one set.

A towbar is required, and

What are the general precautions?

When considering riding in a 5th-wheel trailer, there are several general precautions to be aware of, regardless of the specific state laws. Here are some essential safety precautions to keep in mind:

• Safety First: Even if riding in a 5th-wheel trailer is legal in your state, it does not necessarily mean it is safe. These trailers often lack basic safety features such as seat belts and airbags, which can lead to significant injury or even death in the event of an accident. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to avoid riding in a 5th-wheel trailer unless it is equipped with proper safety features.
• Stay Informed: Laws regarding riding in 5th-wheel trailers vary from state to state and can change over time. Always double-check the laws in your state and the states you plan to travel through before embarking on your journey. Stay updated on any changes to ensure you are complying with the latest regulations.
• Secure Your Trailer: Ensure that your trailer is properly secured to the towing vehicle. Triple-check your tie-downs and turnbuckles to prevent the trailer from detaching while driving, as this can have disastrous consequences.
• Supervise Passengers: Never leave children or pets unsupervised in a 5th-wheel trailer while it is in motion. Pets should be secured in a carrier, and children should be properly restrained and supervised by an adult.
• Install Safety Features: Consider installing additional safety features such as seat belts, safety glass windows, and a carbon monoxide monitor. These features can significantly enhance the safety of your passengers in the event of an accident or emergency.
• Secure Loose Objects: Before setting off, secure all loose objects inside the trailer. In the event of a sudden stop or collision, unsecured objects can become dangerous projectiles, causing injuries or damage.
• Maintain Communication: Ensure that there is a reliable means of communication between the driver and the passengers in the 5th-wheel trailer. This can be achieved through pass-through windows, walkie-talkies, or an intercom system. Avoid relying solely on cell phones, as service may be inconsistent.
• Keep the Door Unlocked: In an emergency, first responders may need quick access to the trailer, and your passengers may need a quick exit. Always keep the trailer door unlocked while it is in motion.
• Be Aware of State-Specific Requirements: Some states have specific requirements for riding in 5th-wheel trailers, such as age restrictions or the need for an unobstructed exit. Be sure to comply with any state-specific regulations to avoid legal consequences and ensure the safety of your passengers.
• Drive with Caution: When towing a 5th-wheel trailer, drive with caution and keep your speed down. Avoid high winds and use lower gears to slow down instead of hitting the brakes. Remember that you have limited control over what happens in the trailer, so always drive defensively and be prepared for unexpected situations.

Frequently asked questions