Keystone Cougar 24RDS 1/2 ton 5th

[NGC 613]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a Cougar 24RDS a pull behind camper and not a 5th wheel? If it is then there should be zero discussion about what state this is legal in and what states it isn't. This type of combination is illegal in all states, as it should be (unless something has changed in the past 10 years).

Now if you had a 5th wheel as your initial trailer and then a ball hitch on the back of that you would be legal in some states, depending on your total length.

I just did a search and it comes up as a 5th wheel and he did say it was.

 

[Gronk]

Gronk, so using the 20% rule, if my max payload is 1800#, my GVW for the camper would need to come in at around 9000#. Correct?

Not sure where you got 20% from, but most that I have experienced are closer to 25% pin weight. That puts your 9000 pound trailer at about 2250 on the pin. When you start looking seriously at trailers that are supposed to by "half ton towable" there are actually very few that qualify. Just remember, the salesman has no skin in the game once you are off their property even if they say "Sure, your truck will handle this trailer just fine". Their job is to sell as many trailers as they can.

 

[pintail85]

I really appreciate the info from you all. It sounds like I would be better off with as smaller bumper pull camper. Something around 5,000 lbs.

The comment from FL-Joe has me confused. Is it really illegal to pull 2 trailers with a ball hitch? I've done a small amount of research and I've seen when some states it is illegal to triple pull unless the first trailer is 5th wheel, but most of the info doesn't specify that the first trailer has to be 5th wheel in a 2 trailer setup.

 

[Amoque]

These conversations always draw me in because there is so much to consider. I'm pretty conservative by nature, always want to feel comfortable as I travel, and always carry backup redundancy (see what I did there?) equipment in Mississippi adequate to get me through a record-breaking blizzard in Maine. Others feel confident carrying nothing but a Bic lighter and a shoestring for backup in the case of an emergency. I always consider what will happen if I take a wrong turn and have to backup, find my intended campground overbooked, or run into a "can't say no" deal on a piece of furniture or a cast-iron shop tool. I leave room in my itinerary, my GVW, and my budget for many contingencies I've never needed. I've been in situations where all my planning wasn't enough and I've seen times when a shoestring was the ideal solution.

I caution you to be careful, because life is precious and I hate hearing the horror stories when things go wrong, but if it's legal where you're going, and you're comfortable pulling it, I say that's the standard. MY comfort level doesn't impact laws or you, so... go for it. If I see you on the road, I'll say a quick prayer for us both and hang way back until my turnoff, but that doesn't mean your acting irresponsibly, it just means you're doing something I wouldn't be comfortable with. I think it's good we have different standards and tastes - it means you'll find a spot at your favorite theme park and I'll find one at my favorite fishing hole.

In all sincerity I say, check with the authorities for legality, check with your dealerships for capacity, and your insurance company for coverage. If you're comfortable, you're good. Enjoy.

 

[FL-JOE]

My mistake pintail85, I was assuming the Keystone model you were talking about was a pull behind, not a fiver. I haven't researched it for about 10 years, but I would be shocked if any State would allow you to pull two ball hitch trailers together. There would be literally zero control or recovery if you had to swerve or if you were attempting to drive on the highway in moderate cross winds. If you have ever traveled and noticed commercial doubles and triples (pulling 2 trailers and pulling 3 trailers) you will notice the fifth wheel plate combinations involved.

After looking up your model of fiver it appears that Keystone does market those as 1/2 ton truck towable. The key would probably be in how it is loaded and how much is actually loaded.

 

[NGC 613]

pintail85
If you ran that calculator I posted you probably already know your answer. I hope you'll report back and let us know about that and the laws. Best wishes.

 

[Gronk]

I have seen ball to ball doubles. IF the trailers are loaded properly and the lightest one is in the back they are pretty stable. The laws are constantly changing so you need to determine what you need to do. Just an example, in Minnesota the law was the first trailer could only be 28' or less and had to be a semi type trailer and overall length is 65'. A semi type trailer by definition is a trailer that DOES NOT have an axle in the front. Now the law says first trailer has no length limit but must have a king pin and the overall length is 70'. Best thing I can tell you is to call the State Patrol in what ever state you are planning on pulling doubles in. Also check your state to make sure you have the proper driver's license.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Thanks for the info Rolling Chaos and Kevin Pem. My truck is rated for 1800lb payload. I have a friend that has a scrap metal recycling facility with scales. I’ll swing by the in the next few days and weigh my boat and trailer. I’m not exactly sure of the boat and trailer but I’m guessing the tongue weight is around 150lbs on the boat trailer.
Also, is it a “thing” to load the camper a certain way to adjust the pin weight numbers, like load aft of the axle or closer to the axles?

It is a thing. I think the range you can play with is 15% to 25% . You call the RV a camper, If it is for camping maybe an older 5th is a good fit for you. My 26 ft Alpinelite has a GVW of 6800# Todays trailers are much heavier than the old ones. So on mine 20% is 1360# pin weight at full capacity, that I never reach. The advantage of double pull in my case is 800# of my stuff is in a bumper pull so is not in the fiver. I do have to figure in the 80# on the tail of the fiver to make sure I have enough pin weight. That's a clue, @pintail85

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I really appreciate the info from you all. It sounds like I would be better off with as smaller bumper pull camper. Something around 5,000 lbs.

The comment from FL-Joe has me confused. Is it really illegal to pull 2 trailers with a ball hitch? I've done a small amount of research and I've seen when some states it is illegal to triple pull unless the first trailer is 5th wheel, but most of the info doesn't specify that the first trailer has to be 5th wheel in a 2 trailer setup.

Don't know of a single state that allows pulling two bumper pulls. I had the same question years ago in AZ and called the MVD, The gal on the other end of the phone almost laughed at me. She said only if I wanted a big fine.

 

[NGC 613]

Don't know of a single state that allows pulling two bumper pulls. I had the same question years ago in AZ and called the MVD, The gal on the other end of the phone almost laughed at me. She said only if I wanted a big fine.

Unless something has changed, east of the Mississippi I'm not sure there is even one state that allows doubles of any kind other than commercial rigs. 5th wheel ,bumper pull , nada.