🚨 Double Trouble or Double Your Fun? The Lowdown on Towing Two Trailers in Washington State 🌲
Y’all ever just look at your fifth-wheel camper, then your boat, then your trusty pickup and think, “Man, I’m a high-roller, I wanna take all this gear on the road at the same time!” If you’ve got that kind of big-sky, can-do spirit, you might be dreaming of the glorious ‘recreational double tow’ life—a truck pulling a fifth-wheel, which is then pulling a second trailer. It's like a rolling parade of awesome. But hold your horses, partner, because when you’re talking about cruising through the Evergreen State with a super-long rig, the law gets tighter than a rusted lug nut.
Let's cut to the chase and drop some knowledge, because nobody wants a roadside chat with the Washington State Patrol that ends with a hefty fine and a major buzzkill. This ain't your grandma's wagon train; this is serious business with a whole lot of fine print!
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| Can You Tow Two Trailers In Washington |
Step 1: 🛑 Stop Right There and Check the Code
Before you even think about connecting that second trailer, you gotta know the rules of the road. Washington State, bless its heart, has some specific, very particular requirements for this kind of "combination of vehicles."
1.1. The Legal Skinny on Vehicle Combinations
The big-ticket item you need to know is the law that dictates how many vehicles you can chain together. For the vast majority of drivers, the RCW (Revised Code of Washington) has a stern look on its face:
RCW 46.44.036 states it is unlawful for any person to operate upon the public highways of this state any combination of vehicles consisting of more than two vehicles.
Tip: Note one practical point from this post.
Wait, what? Doesn't a truck, a fifth-wheel, and a boat trailer make three? Well, for the purposes of this law, a "truck tractor-semitrailer or pole trailer combination" is considered as two vehicles, and a converter gear (the dolly that can turn a semi-trailer into a full trailer) isn't counted as a separate vehicle.
Here’s the massive asterisk (the secret sauce): For recreational purposes, towing two trailers (a fifth-wheel towing a second trailer, often called "triple towing" by the common folk, though it's still three units) is actually allowed, but it's restricted to a very specific configuration and requires a special endorsement. If you're trying to tow a travel trailer, and then a little utility trailer behind it, you're likely hitting a dead-end with the standard rules unless you meet the requirements for a recreational double.
Step 2: 🎓 Get Schooled and Get Endorsed
If you’re dead set on the recreational double tow setup—the truck, the fifth-wheel, and the extra trailer—you can’t just roll out like a renegade. You need to prove you know your stuff.
2.1. The "R" Endorsement: Your Golden Ticket
To legally operate a "Recreational Double" (a pickup truck towing a fifth-wheel recreational trailer, which is then towing a second trailer), you must have an "R" endorsement on your standard driver’s license.
Who needs it? Anyone age 18 or older operating this specific three-unit recreational combination.
How do you get it? You typically need to pass a knowledge test administered by the Department of Licensing (DOL). No need to sweat a terrifying skills test where you have to back up a 75-foot rig perfectly—just the book smarts test!
What’s the test about? It’s going to quiz you on the rules specific to these long, complex setups. So, bone up on braking distances, total length requirements, and proper hitching! Don’t skip this step! It’s not just a friendly suggestion; it's the law.
Step 3: 📏 Measure Twice, Tow Once (The Length Law)
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
Once you’ve got your brain properly loaded with knowledge and your license has that shiny new "R," the next step is ensuring your glorious, super-long parade is actually short enough to navigate Washington's roads without causing an international incident.
3.1. Staying Under the "Triple-Dip" Limit
For your Recreational Double, Washington State has a strict cap on the total length of the entire combination—from the front bumper of your pickup to the tail lights of that second trailer.
Your total length, when coupled together, must not exceed 75 feet.
Now, 75 feet is a ton of road presence, but those modern fifth-wheels and even the smallest boats or utility trailers can eat that up fast. You need to pull out the measuring tape and confirm you are 100% compliant. If you’re even one inch over, you’re just asking for trouble and a ticket that’s gonna sting.
3.2. Weight and Safety Specs: Don't Be a Lightweight
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Your entire rig can’t just be long; it also has to be balanced and safe. Washington has some serious rules to keep that second trailer from becoming a runaway circus act:
Weight Check: The gross weight of the second trailer cannot exceed the empty weight of either the pickup truck or the empty weight of the fifth-wheel trailer. This is a huge deal.
Hitch Up Right: The hitch used to connect the second trailer must be attached to the frame of the fifth-wheel trailer. No bumper hitches or sketchy DIY jobs allowed, capiche?
Safety Chains: The safety chains for the second trailer must be securely attached at the extreme outer edge of the fifth-wheel trailer with a locking mechanism. We’re talking industrial strength here, not something you’d use to tie up a puppy.
Pro-Tip: Your tow vehicle needs a tow rating equal to or greater than the weight being towed. Don’t try to tow an aircraft carrier with a golf cart, even if you’re a towing genius.
Tip: Scroll slowly when the content gets detailed.
Step 4: 🛣 Hit the Road (With Caution and Style)
Once you’ve got the endorsement, the right length, and the bomb-proof setup, you’re ready to roll. But operating a Recreational Double isn’t like driving a sedan; it’s a whole other ballgame.
4.1. Driving Like a Pro: Smooth Operator
Braking Distance: Your stopping distance is going to be significantly longer. Leave way more space than you think you need. Pretend the car in front of you is made of glass and you’re hauling a priceless ancient vase.
Turning: You’re an articulated semi now. Your rig will cut corners. You need to swing wide—like, cartoonishly wide—to avoid flattening curbs, signs, or, heaven forbid, another vehicle.
Speed Limits: While Washington doesn't have a separate, lower speed limit for double-towing, you should still drive slower than the posted limit, especially on curves, downhill, and in high winds. Safety first, always. Don't be the dude holding up traffic, but don't be the wild card either.
The Final Word of Wisdom: If this all sounds like too much paperwork and too many restrictions, it’s probably easier (and definitely less stressful) to just make two trips or ship that second item. When in doubt, don't tow it out! Washington is beautiful, and you want to enjoy the scenery, not the back of a state trooper's car.
FAQ Questions and Answers
What is the maximum overall length for a double trailer recreational rig in Washington?
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
The total length of the combination—pickup truck, fifth-wheel trailer, and second trailer—must not exceed 75 feet.
Do I need a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to tow two recreational trailers?
No, for recreational double towing, you do not need a full CDL, but you do need a special "R" endorsement on your standard license.
Does the second trailer need its own brakes?
Yes, Washington law mandates that trailers weighing over 3,000 lbs must be equipped with adequate brakes and a breakaway switch. Given the weight of most second trailers (like a boat or utility trailer), they will almost certainly need functioning brakes.
Can I tow a travel trailer (not a fifth-wheel) and then a second trailer?
No. The "Recreational Double" exception in Washington state law specifically requires a pickup truck pulling a fifth-wheel trailer as the first unit, which then pulls the second trailer.
What is the weight restriction on the second trailer?
The gross weight of the second trailer cannot exceed the empty weight of the pickup truck or the empty weight of the fifth-wheel trailer.
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