Two trailers behind a 4WD?

Muzz,

You would have to check with Dept transport - but I believe in WA at least, that it wouldn't be legal.

Yes you could get a HC or MC (Heavey Combined or Medium Combined) truck license ro drive a rig with more than one trailer...... but even for the trucks there are roads that road trans (effectively what you would become) arent allowed on specially within the urban limits.

I'm sure that leaving Perth on the major highways headed north or east - you'd have seen whats called "Road train assembly areas" where road trains pull in and drop one or two of their trailers, and head off to the port or kewdale etc with just the one trailer as a normal semi - then either another couple of local freight co, prime movers hook up the extra trailers one each and drag them to the freight yards as a normal single trailer semi.

Yes - we do now see quite a few B doubles travelling around the place hauling grain and ore etc and milk even..

Whether theres any loophole that would allow your proposed rig to be classed as a B double - I don' know - you'd have to check with the relevant authorities!

Obviously backing it in to any capsites etc would be a slight nightmare (but ptobably over commable).

The ideas not silly - I've seen pics of USA holiday makers in their winnebagos with camper trailer behind and boat behind that, but again this is ONLY legal in SOME states of the USA - so you can't go on a trip across the nation or up nto Canada so rigged.

I've heard stroies about it being legal in South Aust, the Northern Territory for example, burt again I reckon you'd want it in writing

I'd be keen to hear what you eventually do find out....I'd actually thought about towing a couple boats instead of just one, and for prospecting a camper trailer with a couple quads on a trailer behind that!

Mae sure and post up any factual information you are able to come up with please and the source - plus any licensing requirements for the driver, max lengths & weights etc.

Another possibility MIGHT be f you had say a F truck or similar - with a 5th wheel attachement just like a semi....

The fact you are actually driving a truck (over 3500kg's towing capacity with 5th wheel ~ 5 tonnes I believe) MAYBE theres an ability to THEN tow a trailer behind what essentially becomes a MR (Medium Rigid) combination? (The equivalent of a small B double?).

I would think the GCM (gross combined mass) and GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) etc would all come into the calculations - as well as lengths weights braking and clearance lighting - maybe an escort vehicle if your overlength and so on...

Best of luck with this one - you'd need someone from Dept Transport, familiar with all the towing regs - etc to get the right advice!

Cheers

Muzz

Your best option will be to have a tandem axle car carrier trailer built, transfer the Jayco minus its running gear on to that and make a space at the front or behind for the quad to fit.

I have actually seen a setup like this in WA while we were camped at Carawine Gorge. Fella drove in with a tri-axle trailer with camper in the middle and two quads, front and back. Was towing with a F250

In South Africa you used to be allowed to tow two units behind your vehicle. I have seen a BMW with a Caravan and Trailer Sailer in tow. Many also tow a 6x4 behind the caravan for whatever reason.



Cheers

Ring the Dept of Motor Vehicles, I would say NO it is not legal.

Unless the towing vehicle is over 4.5ton GVM

Quite apart from the legalities involved, I would think there would be some engineering dramas about the stresses on the chassis of the Jayco.
They would not have been made to have another 500kg trailer swinging around on the back of it.
It probaly wouldn't be too far down the road when the Jayco breaks in half.
I think the way to go would be with a ute, you can put your quad on the back and you can tick off during the day and leave the camper where it is.

Dave

There has been an earlier thread on the forum about this and the answer was ITS ILLEGAL

Hi,
I'm from WA and do recall seeing an article in our morning newspaper's motoring section about a bloke from Albany who towed a boat and a caravan with a GU Patrol ute....the artiticle would have been two to three years or so ago at a guess.
He had to have current road train licence to drive the rig.
Was quite interesting to see his setup as a photo was included, however I am not sure if he could cross into other states with this rig setup.
Regards Alan.

what about a Jayco Homebase caravan

I've been thinking about the same issue. I hadn't thought about the reason why putting it on the roof of the camper trailer (hard floor type) wouldn't work - thats what I was going to do. But your post (Muzz) got me thinking that you might be able to adapt one of those folding boat trailers. i.e. Put it on the roof of the trailer for the long hauls and switch to the folding boat trailer once you get set up.

We usually don't camp in caravan parks so I anticipated using the quad bike directly from camp - but I see your point.

i have seen in nsw and winabago towing a small car on a trailer and also towing a boat behind that. i cant see any problam with it if the first trailer is build to tow the second trailer. im sure you could go down to a trailer builder and get him to fix it all up for you no worries.

I've just been on the NSW RTA site on a towing matter, & it states to tow more than one trailer with a vehicle under 4.5t is
indeed illegal.........oldbaz.

G`day Muzz,
There is a custom made C/T in the trader section that carries a Quad Bike.
Not what you asked I know but you might get some info from the seller.

Scrubby.

Hey,

Just a quick note, if you want a idea for a great new "Toy Hauler" chuck me an email shane@mandurahholden.com.au.

thanks.

Shane

Why does it have to be towed behind a 4WD.
When I first was doing this, it was with a 7x4 single axle towing a 6x4 single axle. This was towed behind my VB Commodore, as the Gutlux was just way too slow, the old 2.2 diesel was only just hanging in with 4th gear.
Later I brought a 7x4 tandem trailer myself, the first thing I did with it when I got it home was turn it upside down and add a towbar to it as well. Subsequently the original 7x4 single axle was converted to tandem.
This all happened whilst I had the VB Commodore, it was quite happy pulling the two 7x4's and the 6x4 loaded chokablok full of cut redgum. Yes the VB was pulling three trailers together.
As part of fitting the towbars to each of the trailers, I also installed and wired in a trailer plug so that all the lights would work on all trailers.
When I was putting the towbar onto the first trailer, I was doing it over at the truck yard whilst the government ispector was there examining prime movers, tankers and dolly's for there Road train certification and he thought it was a marvelous idea, he was particurly pleased that I had put enough thought into to wire in a plug for the trailing trailers.
Now the VB has gone, although he VS ute I had, had a crack at it too (three trailers). The repalcement gutlux, a 2.4 with exchange 2.4T engine could maintain an acceptable gallop on the black top with the two trailers loaded with redgum.
My brother and myself are building another tandem trailer, and guess what, it will also be fitted with a towbar and plug, so watch out for four trailers. Either one of my RA's will do a decent job at towing these.
I can't add a photo here of my efforts, because I'm not a full member, but for any doubting thomases out there, drop your email on here and I'll be happy to send photo's, perhaps someone who is a member could then attach my photo's here. Alternatively there are some photo's on the 'Campfire' one of the trailer threads in the Overlander Forum, and also Mr Alan Nixon, AKA "The Uteman" did an article on this including the towing of three trailers in one of his Ute books, Volume 4.

Cheers,
Dion.

Quite simple to tow more than one trailer behind a car.

First you get a multi-combination licence and then you buy a 4by that is road train certified. See I said it was easy......lol.

What is wrong with converting the Nissan to a dual cab ute. You could tow the Jayco behind it and drive on or off at the sides. A short tray and a box in the front. Keep yourself in control too then instead of dual trailers.

You could do it like this.
Image Could Not Be Found
Is this a 4th wheeler?

Muzz,
Similar issues, I recently made a decision and ordered a Complete Campsite camper trailer. Quad goes on the front (towbar). I have a heavier quad (farm style) and did some pretests and the ball weight is within legal limits for my Landcruiser. Your 200 kg would not be a problem.
Most likely will also try to convert portable boat trailer to carry quad once camp is set up.
Camper comes in heavy duty off road and I have talked to others who have taken similar trailer thru simpson Desert so you should be ok as far as offroad or taking where ever you want.
Several other companies said they could do it but Complete have been doing it for a while and did not blink an eye.
Have a look at their website or once I get mine let me know and I can shoot you some photos and feedback.
Let us know if you come to any conclusions