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Old 07-08-2007, 01:31 PM   #1
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If you're thinking about doing it...

don't!

A guy stopped by our trailer earlier this morning when he saw our Airstream and my drift boat parked together on our site here at Yellowstone's Edge RV Park, south of Livingston, MT.

He wanted to know whether I ever towed my Airstream (30' Classic) with my drift boat (16' Clackacraft) hitched behind it.

I told him I didn't do that, and in fact for various reasons would never even consider doing it.

He said he was driving to Montana from Texas 2 weeks ago with his Ford Excursion, towing a 32' Excella, and with his raft on a trailer behind it. He said he'd had a welding shop weld a receiver on the rear of his Airstream frame so he could tow his raft behind it.

While driving across Colorado, his Airstream and raft trailer started swaying uncontrollably, and it ended by him totalling his Excursion, Airstream and raft. Luckily, no one was injured.

Now, he's driving a rental car and staying in a motel - a tough way to spend a vacation. He said he still feels terrible about it, and I'm sure he does.

I know there's plenty of advice on this forum about not hitching things on the back of Airstreams. This fellow said he had sometimes read this forum, but never read that specific advice.

So, one more time: If you're thinking of doing something like that, maybe you should think again what might happen.

John
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Old 07-08-2007, 01:51 PM   #2
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Old 07-08-2007, 02:06 PM   #3
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I'd be afraid the Airstream would sink. What kind of hitch, sway control, for that matter electrical connection on that drift boat?

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Old 07-08-2007, 03:43 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kistler
I'd be afraid the Airstream would sink. What kind of hitch, sway control, for that matter electrical connection on that drift boat?

Kistler
You know, I asked him that question too, and I don't think he was even sure what type of hitch and sway control he had.

John
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Old 07-08-2007, 03:54 PM   #5
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I've seen this setup with SOBs before, never a good idea. I wonder how many miles someone would run with a flat tire on the rear trailer before they noticed? A few years ago a MO pulling a toad started a forest fire (Colorado I think) when the toad had a flat tire and they pulled it on the rim throwing sparks and melted wheel into the trees. The MO driver did not have a clue that something was wrong. I think the forest service was going after them to pay for the cost of fighting the fire.
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Old 07-08-2007, 03:55 PM   #6
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Drift Boat

We are considering buying a Clackacraft ourselves (nice drift boat ). How do you transport both it and the Airstream at the same time.

Thanks for posting and allowing us to learn from this unfortunate incident.
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Old 07-08-2007, 04:52 PM   #7
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We are considering buying a Clackacraft ourselves (nice drift boat ). How do you transport both it and the Airstream at the same time.
A large rack on top of the F250, and get a couple of he-men to remove it?
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Old 07-08-2007, 05:10 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadschooler
We are considering buying a Clackacraft ourselves (nice drift boat ). How do you transport both it and the Airstream at the same time.

Thanks for posting and allowing us to learn from this unfortunate incident.
The drift boat stays permanently in Montana. Although we have been towing our Airstream back to PA, and putting it in storage there during the winter, we're going to leave it here with the drift boat when we go home to PA in October if we are able to find an inside storage here that is large enough.

There are several places in the Bozeman area that rent 50' storage units that we're on the waiting list for and hopefully one will become available by then.

I do have a ladder rack for the back of my truck and put my 85 pound cataraft on it, but the 280 pound drift boat is a few more pounds than I'm presently able to lift over my head.

John
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Old 07-08-2007, 05:32 PM   #9
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Heavy

That drift boat is heavy. Just what I figured, too heavy for on top of the truck cap. Oh well, we'll stick to kayaks. Thanks for the info.
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Old 07-08-2007, 05:35 PM   #10
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He-Men

Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
A large rack on top of the F250, and get a couple of he-men to remove it?
I've only got one of those, I'd need at least another to lift that drift boat on and off the top of the truck. I'd be NO help.
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Old 07-08-2007, 05:43 PM   #11
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Great story John. We've all talked about not doing this for years and this is but one example of why not, let alone the obvious we all know, it'll damage your Airstream trailer no question about it, even if you are lucky and don't put the shiney side down like this guy did.....
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Old 08-07-2007, 10:57 PM   #12
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Exclamation

That person was crazy, all right, but not the craziest; I read of some guy trying to move a long distance in one trip getting pulled over with a contrived train of five vehicles!

I think that some states allow 3-trailer big rigs (or are considering it), but I know that in California, passenger vehicles may tow only ONE trailer!
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Old 08-08-2007, 05:21 AM   #13
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Anybody know if they still allow "Michigan Gravel Trains?" One semi tractor pulling several trailers. I know they still do this in Australia, where it's a thousand miles between towns, and nothing between.
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Old 12-28-2007, 05:31 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilvrSausage
but I know that in California, passenger vehicles may tow only ONE trailer!
Unless they changed the law in last 3 years this is incorrect.
I was ready to get double trailer permit, while driving my SUV with travel trailer and PWC to the lake, but later on found $20/month storage at the lake, so dropped the idea. All it took at the time is drive the set to DMV and pass driving exam.
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Old 12-28-2007, 06:08 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by overlander63
Anybody know if they still allow "Michigan Gravel Trains?" One semi tractor pulling several trailers. I know they still do this in Australia, where it's a thousand miles between towns, and nothing between.
They are allowed in Idaho and Oregon. You will regularly see 3 trailers behind one tractor.
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Old 12-28-2007, 06:39 PM   #16
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I've only seen one instance of a truck with box loaded with gear, then a 25' SOB and behind it a boat on trailer loaded to the hilt with "stuff". They were on the side of the road with a State Trooper, lights flashing, having a "discussion" with the driver who appeared quite animated.

On our return later that afternoon the boat was sitting, emptied of it's gear, quite a ways off the road.

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Old 12-28-2007, 06:49 PM   #17
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I think that some states allow 3-trailer big rigs (or are considering it), but I know that in California, passenger vehicles may tow only ONE trailer!
You can tow 2 trailers in California. You need a class "A" license to do so.
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Old 12-30-2007, 08:20 PM   #18
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It might work with a Hensley hitch on back of the Airstream

just kidding
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