Triple Tow ATV Behind Camper

Nice little trailer. I think you made a good decision. Don't forget to pick up a spare for that little guy before you hit the road.

 

That is an interesting mod on that camper. But I would caution on going ahead with it until you figure out what the new tongue weight will be. With that much more load added to the camper before the axles, depending on how much the ATV weighs, it may put you over the trucks tongue weight limits.

 

I can't even begin to tell you how many triple-tow conventional trailers I saw this weekend on my way to Boise and back....and towing stuff behind the camper significantly heavier than my 1100lb quad and trailer......full size boats! Even better.....some were doing it with half tons too. I think I "could" do it if I really needed to, but for now we will stick with my wife towing it with her car or friends towing it out.

 

But if something happens and you or your family or someone else gets hurt in an accident, you can’t tell the doctor that you saw others doing it so everyone will be fine. I think it’s more of a safety thing and how much you value your family’s safety.

 

I regularly pull this. I've pulled doubles for years. Never had problems. Just need to make sure all is loaded correctly.

 

Don’t know how I missed your reply. Wow! Big setup. After doing it 2 times with 2 vehicles it’s a pain in the ass and my wife isn’t a fan either. I will be adding a hitch and towing it behind. Will also be putting a camera on the rear of the camper to be able to monitor the ATV. Did you add airbags to your truck? I’m gonna be replacing my shocks with 5100’s soon cause they’re shot.

 

I did add airbags and in my mind are required for towing. It helps stabilize the entire load.

 

I just got back from towing an enclosed 7'x14' dual axle trailer a total of 3500 miles (3600 lbs) across North Dakota, Montana and Idaho. After doing that, I have a hard time picturing towing a double with that much weight and drag for any long period of time (unless I was retired and had a boat load of time to go slower).

 

We're talking tows of 2-5 hours within the state of Montana to go camping on the weekends / extended weekends and not have to take 2 vehicles each time. My truck tows the camper fine which fully loaded out has a loaded weight of around 5500lbs with a 700ish-800lb tongue weight. The 4 wheeler w/trailer weighs approx 1,000lbs which is a tongue weight of around 150ish lbs. We're talking reducing the tongue weight of my main trailer to around 500lbs which is still within the 10-15% tongue weight. Can always load the trailer more tongue heavy if needed. I will have new 5100's on the truck and planning on airbags as well. I run a WDH with sway control. My current trailer doesn't move on the highway in high wind (we get plenty of it here in MT), it pushes my rig as a whole which is what it should do. I am planning on installing a camera on the back of the main camper to monitor the 4wheeler as well. The weights I expressed are not "guesses" but approximations without listing exact numbers, I have taken the rig to a scale and I know the weights. Seems to me the math checks out and should be fine as far as I see it. I currently tow at a max of 70mph. Planning to reduce that to 65mph if towing doubles

 

Installed a waterproof, locking connector for a backup camera on the rear of my camper. This will be used to monitor the 4 wheeler when it’s in tow behind the trailer and assist in backing up. I mounted it in the spare tire holder, will mount it back up once the hitch is installed on the camper. My head unit has dual camera inputs so it will work out perfectly. I will take the complete rig to the scale once is complete

 

Hitch is in, just have to finish painting it up tomorrow and run the wiring up the frame and I’ll be all set. Will post up how it tows and total weights after our next trip. I’ll probably do a test run tomorrow or the next day. It will either be fine (expected) or a $300 failed experiment

 

Tada! Test run this afternoon through town and some highway to make sure it’s GTG

 

Fully loaded out for 4 nights of camping....rig is level and towing wonderfully. Took it to the scale and I’m sitting at 13,460 lbs. That’s with full water tank, full fuel on the truck, full fuel in the quad, full propane tanks, dogs, kayaks, 2 people....the works. I messed up and got one axle of the trailer on the plate for my truck so rear axle weight isn’t accurate, oh well maybe next time.

Still going to be replacing shocks with new factory take off 4600’s and will be installing airbags to help firm up the rear when towing but overall impressed. Very easy tow

 

Nice! Good to hear. Guessing your truck weight is 5500'ish lbs. So total trailer weights come in 8k - well within the limits.

Get air bags to help with any porpoising you may get with two trailers and start practicing backing up so that you have a general idea of how to - should you ever get into a situation that requires it.

Other than that. Good set up. Gonna steal the camera idea for my rig!

 

For sure, last time I weighed the truck by itself it was 6300lbs, and that was before I added the DECKED system and kayaks, dog kennels etc. Happy with the setup and the cam works great. Word of advice, high mount the cam if you can, I just didn’t feel like the work to run it through the wall. Would help more in reversing and seeing behind the trailer, but as it is I’m happy I can monitor it regardless and it’s still helpful for sure. Safe travels and thanks again for helping put me at ease with your setup!