Interesting towing setup

[CJT]

On my way to Rocky today I saw an interesting towing setup, as follows;

Fifth Wheeler Caravan connected to dolly, connected to normal tow ball of 4wd ute.

I do not know any of the legalities of such a setup, however I can see the advantages of not needing a dedicated vehicle for a fifth wheel trailer. Plus low ball weight on your rig due to dolly taking all the load.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Would it make the entire rig a multi-combination vehicle?

The entire setup was triple axle fifth wheeler, single axle dolly (could have been double, not sure) and then the two axles of the ute, so min. six axle total.

[dobbo]

common setup overseas

[V8Ian]

I recall seeing adverts for a similiar setup for normal caravans, 40 or so years ago. I doubt they will catch on, most people have enough trouble reversing a normal set-up with a single articulation point. Many caravaners refuse to stop at van parks that lack drive through faculties.

[vnx205]

Dad had one on our caravan in the late 1950s. It had smaller wheels.

It worked well except when reversing.

[fraser130]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Would it make the entire rig a multi-combination vehicle?

The entire setup was triple axle fifth wheeler, single axle dolly (could have been double, not sure) and then the two axles of the ute, so min. six axle total.

I'm guessing the whole 5th wheeler would then be considered a dog trailer?

Looking at your pic Dobbo, I'll bet he has a huge motorbike on the back of that rig too!




Fraser

[Bigbjorn]

A dolly was a common piece of equipment in the 1950's. Jennison Caravans used to push their use on their high end "Pathfinder" range. Those of us old enough will remember the common sight of a tow vehicle & caravan badly sagged downwards at the coupling, progressing down the highway. The steering on these rigs must have been badly compromised but no-one cared about minor details like that when there were still thousands of pre-war cars on the road with steering so badly worn that there was free play up to 1/4 and 1/3 of a turn of the steering wheel.

[BMKal]

If that set-up isn't considered a multi-combination, then it definitely should be.

Would hate to see the average caravanner let loose on the road with that without at least some sort of basic training / towing experience.

Having come across a few float drivers who can't reverse them with the dolly under, and seeing the reversing skills of many pulling conventional caravans, watching some of them trying to reverse this combination would be entertaining to say the least.

[PAT303]

If that set-up isn't considered a multi-combination, then it definitely should be.

Would hate to see the average caravanner let loose on the road with that without at least some sort of basic training / towing experience.

Having come across a few float drivers who can't reverse them with the dolly under, and seeing the reversing skills of many pulling conventional caravans, watching some of them trying to reverse this combination would be entertaining to say the least.

Brian,I don't see how it could be any more unsafe than a lot of the set-ups we have go through town during tourist season. Pat

[Pedro_The_Swift]

How can that be legal/safe?

as soon as any brake forces are applied to the trailer it will try and pull the dolly over/lift the rear end of the car,, AND the reverse will apply too!

[Slunnie]

How can that be legal/safe?

as soon as any brake forces are applied to the trailer it will try and pull the dolly over/lift the rear end of the car,, AND the reverse will apply too!

There's probably too much weight on the dolly to do that.




I'm sure I've seen footage of the Leyland bros early expeditions - I think it was the coast to coast expedition where they run some series landys, with one of them towing a dog trailer.