Pulling Doubles

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by harleydog, Jan 14, 2007.

  1. pfudd

    pfudd Bobtail Member

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    Sep 12, 2010
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    The company put we with a new hire that had 2 years experience driving with FED EX(RPS). He had been hired straight out of school and after training as a line haul driver (you can call it that) he had been on a dedicated run from Memphis to Chicago.

    They only taught him enough to run line haul. He couldn't read a map. Missed every turn (little roads like I-77 and I-80). When we got to our first store he set up to blindside into a dock with an entire mall parking lot filled with nothing but yellow lines in front of him. Everytime he drove more than 200 miles, he said he was too tired and had to pull over. That is why I say, you need experience before you pull them.

    That was a long time ago though, back before the new hours of service rules took effect. I read an article about the new regulations but they seem more confusing than the 70 hour/8 day week rules were. I always liked to run 5 and 5, does anyone care to tell how teams run now?
     
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  3. Flying Dutchman

    Flying Dutchman Road Train Member

    1,274
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    Nov 2, 2009
    Northern California
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    Doubles are not terribly hard to pull, but take lots and lots of practice to back up.. My dad can back them up, as well as my grandpa, I can keep them straight about 30' lol. These are 28' trailers. And as far as getting in a tight situation, if you are empty, they turn incredibly sharp.
     
  4. Paddington

    Paddington Medium Load Member

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    Jul 5, 2009
    Cleveland, Ohio
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    They can be tricky in the winter...especially when the wind blows.
    Any movement of the steering wheel is amplified in the rear box...it's called the "bullwhip effect".
    When road conditions deteriorate, you must always keep alot of space between you and the vehicle in front of you...in addition to reducing your speed.
    Reason being...if the rear box starts to "walk" or wiggle on you a bit too much, you need to be able to accelerate to straighten the set out.

    Overall, doubles get a bad rap from alot of drivers who refuse to pull them...but they're not really all that bad if you know what you're doing.
     
    jakebrake12 Thanks this.
  5. TopGun'69

    TopGun'69 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 11, 2012
    Columbus, Ohio
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