passengers while towing

dmr139

I know this is not a great idea and I intend to NOT do this, but I have to go a short distance 30-40 miles with more people and dogs than I can carry in my tow vehicle.  I'm pretty sure it is legal in California to let someone ride in the trailer while towing, but not 100% positive.  If I have no other option, I will convert the table to a bed and let one person and one dog ride back there if legal.  

My other option is to tow the trailer, drop it off, and then drive back to get the additional people and dogs.  But that is an additional 40-80 miles and I'm only going for the weekend. 

Tabnero

dont do it. simple as that. it does not matter if it is legal or not, it is very dangerous. for a short distance like that either make 2 trips or have a chase care

PNWtabber

Wow, just because it is "legal" doesn't mean it is a good idea.  I wouldn't do it, myself.  Get an Uber for the additional passengers?

RollingBnB

only legal with 5th wheels, not bumper pulls.

pthomas745

California Vehicle Code: 21712 No passengers can ride in a towed trailer, boat, motorcycle etc, except for certain specially equipped fifth wheel trailers and in boats at boat ramps.

I don't know what "specially equipped" might entail.

"Insert Long, Long Trailer Lucille Ball Scene Here."

tabiphile

What a great idea! I wonder if I can get the rents and the in-laws to go for a ride? Oh baby, turn on the propane, crank up the tunes, put about 90 pounds of air in the tires and let er rip. Sounds like a total hoot! Hang on, were about to get on the freeway....

Denny16

There you go, not legal in Calif.  A specially equipped (commercial) fifth wheel trailer, is:
  According to California Vehicle Code, “ Subdivision (g) [g states passengers are not allowed in RV trailers, boa trailers, etc] does not apply to a trailer coach that is towed with a fifth-wheel device if the trailer coach is equipped with safety glazing materials wherever glazing materials are used in windows or doors, with an audible or visual signaling device that a passenger inside the trailer coach can use to gain the attention of the motor vehicle driver, and with at least one unobstructed exit capable of being opened from both the interior and exterior of the trailer coach,” CVC.

So specially equipped is a 5th wheel RV with the above safety features added to it.  Still, not a good idea in my book.

Cheers

mona

No

Verna

The poor dogs wouldn’t have any idea of what was going on....and the humans wouldn’t either. A quick stop....just think of how many things a person could hit. A definite NO!

Sharon_is_SAM

I saw a YouTube video of someone riding a short distance in a Scamp.  It wasn’t pretty.

tabiphile

Does Lucy try cooking while Desi is driving in the "Long Long Trailer"? Is there a scene before her canning project and rock garden "shift".

TabberJohn

Picture "Over Niagara Falls in a barrel".
As long as everyone is strapped in and suspended with enough bungee cords they might survive. 

pthomas745

Lucy does try to cook with the trailer in motion.  This is how she ends up.  Can't find a video out there.  She is about to smack Ricky with the cake she has in her left hand.....

4ncar

Yeah, law, but safety first! They don’t call RVs “rolling earthquakes “ for nothing!

VictoriaP

Let’s also note here that aside from those folks that won’t fit because you don’t have enough seats, you may not be able to safely carry a full car’s worth of passengers while towing anyway. You need to look up what your vehicle payload is, and then start doing the math. Every person’s weight, every dog’s weight, any cargo on top of or inside the car, plus the actual loaded trailer tongue weight...it ALL counts towards payload. 

If there’s another driver available, split the load into two cars. If there isn’t another car, rent one. If there isn’t another driver, then yes, you need to make multiple trips.

dlb

Properly equipped may mean equipped with approved seat belts.

AirBoss

No. Just no. Period. No further explanation or justification required. 

GatorEgg

it simple to google its simple to google the DOT statutes per state.
But legal or not it stupid.  Just checkout YouTube “towing fails”.

ChanW

In South Carolina (I think) it's legal. So I thought I'd try it! My DW promised to stop when I called her on my cell...

I made it about a block (at only about 30mph!) I couldn't dial the phone quick enough! 

It's completely not confidence-inspiring!

BrianZ

So, to summarize, the answer is..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuiNmZEO60s

GatorEgg

ChanW said:

In South Carolina (I think) it's legal. So I thought I'd try it! My DW promised to stop when I called her on my cell...

I made it about a block (at only about 30mph!) I couldn't dial the phone quick enough! 

It's completely not confidence-inspiring!

Nope not legal.  Most all states it’s not.  Google can be your friend.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/passengers-in-campers-504228

ChanW

Well good! 🤔
Scary!

GatorEgg said:

ChanW said:

In South Carolina (I think) it's legal. So I thought I'd try it! My DW promised to stop when I called her on my cell...

I made it about a block (at only about 30mph!) I couldn't dial the phone quick enough! 

It's completely not confidence-inspiring!

Nope not legal.  Most all states it’s not.  Google can be your friend.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/passengers-in-campers-504228