passengers while towing

dmr139
dmr139 Member Posts: 2
in Trailer & Towing
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. 


Comments

  • Tabnero
    Tabnero Member Posts: 251
    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
    PNWtabber Member Posts: 492
    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?
    2018 T@B 320 S Boondock  |  2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD  |  Seattle, WA, USA
    "Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman

  • RollingBnB
    RollingBnB Member Posts: 322
    only legal with 5th wheels, not bumper pulls.
    2020 Tiffin Open Road
    2020 Nissan Versa Toad 
    Alan & Patty
    Southern Az
  • tabiphile
    tabiphile Member Posts: 472
    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
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,430
    edited November 2020
    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
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • mona
    mona Member Posts: 246
    No
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • Verna
    Verna Member Posts: 6,876
    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!
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,034
    I saw a YouTube video of someone riding a short distance in a Scamp.  It wasn’t pretty.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • tabiphile
    tabiphile Member Posts: 472
    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
    TabberJohn Member Posts: 588
    Picture "Over Niagara Falls in a barrel".
    As long as everyone is strapped in and suspended with enough bungee cords they might survive.  =)
    2015 T@B Max S (White/Silver) -> 2014 Ford Escape 2.0L (turbo, AWD, factory tow)
  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,685
    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.....



    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • 4ncar
    4ncar Member Posts: 1,072
    Yeah, law, but safety first! They don’t call RVs “rolling earthquakes “ for nothing!
    TV- '16 Chevy Colorado LT Crew Cab-DuraMax
    2018 320S Outback
  • VictoriaP
    VictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    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.
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
  • dlb
    dlb Member Posts: 178
    Properly equipped may mean equipped with approved seat belts.
    2021 Tab 400 Boondock
    2020 Audi SQ5
  • AirBoss
    AirBoss Member Posts: 740
    No. Just no. Period. No further explanation or justification required. 
    2020 T@B 400 "OTTO" (build date 08/19)
    Factory Victron Solar; Norcold 3-way fridge
    '04 Chevy Tahoe Z71 DinoKiller
    San Diego, CA
    www.airbossone.com
    https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/owen-ashurst/shop


  • GatorEgg
    GatorEgg Member Posts: 482
    it simple to google its simple to google the DOT statutes per state.
    But legal or not it stupid.  Just checkout YouTube “towing fails”.
    2022 TAB 400 Boondock, 2019 Toyota Tacoma Sport 4x4
    2018 TAB 320 Boondock (previous)
    Odessa, Fl.  

  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,168
    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!

    Chan - near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah!

    ll9normvqdmg.jpeg


    A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya

  • BrianZ
    BrianZ Member Posts: 1,770
    So, to summarize, the answer is..
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuiNmZEO60s
    -Brian in Chester, Virginia
    TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
    RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods 
  • GatorEgg
    GatorEgg Member Posts: 482
    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
    2022 TAB 400 Boondock, 2019 Toyota Tacoma Sport 4x4
    2018 TAB 320 Boondock (previous)
    Odessa, Fl.  

  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,168
    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

    Chan - near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah!

    ll9normvqdmg.jpeg


    A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya

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