backing up a double trailer

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by subsailor, Jul 3, 2008.

  1. pcfreak

    pcfreak Heavy Load Member

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    Apr 22, 2007
    Alberta, Canada
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    I currently pull "b" trains hauling grain. Practice is all it takes. I once had to blind side back the pup toward a tire shop door to get a tire fixed. No biggie.

    You have to think a few steps ahead or the pup will get away from you pretty quick.
     
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  3. _ton bundle

    _ton bundle Road Train Member

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    Jan 7, 2009
    Elevator Bay, Minnesota
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    Its not that hard to do, just takes a lot of time pulling doubles to get the feel of how they move. I could put the back trailer in between two other trailers easily enough. I never tried to put one in a dock though.

    Trust me, if you are lazy enough, you'll have the motivation to figure it out. 60 hours a week of building and breaking sets will drive a person nuts if you don't learn all of the shortcuts. I never used a straight line back. I would set up at almost a 45 degree angle 'C' pattern on the driver's side and just ride the angle, turning the wheel to the left.

    I couldn't do it anymore and I thank God everyday that I don't have to deal with doubles anymore. But I have to admit, it is a neat party trick and gets you some street cred when you can pull it off.
     
  4. Troll Man 46

    Troll Man 46 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 13, 2009
    OR
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    Never back double: TRUE
    It's non sense backing up doubles when you really don't have to. What the manual says: "The first rule when it comes to backing is: DON'T, if you don't have to" Unless you have good experience and skill. Backing up with sets of doubles is like pushing a wet noodle. I've done it more than 50x and I thought it doesn't really "necessarily" reduce the work.

    Vale
     
  5. Powell-Peralta

    Powell-Peralta Road Train Member

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    To echo what allow me stated, yes technically they can. But to me, it's not worth the hassle and breaking the set down + re-assembly really doesnt take more than 15 mins.
     
  6. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Apr 10, 2009
    Copied in Hell
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    Wrecker drivers in the big draggin wagons have to do it all the time. They cant break it down since the vehicle in tow has had the driveshaft removed.
     
  7. fulgrwnmn

    fulgrwnmn Light Load Member

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    Sep 17, 2008
    whitehouse,oh
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    hardly anybody backs those up, some can but why, you still gotta unhook for the other, if you get lucky doing it, and believe me most of it is, but still have to unhook sooner or later
     
  8. Freebird135

    Freebird135 Road Train Member

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    May 7, 2009
    In the air conditioning
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    one reason guys do it in our yard is because theres no room to drop the set and break it down alot of the times...you pretty much have to put it in a slot, you just have to hope you get one with alot of room to work with

    our yard is way to small, so is our dock
     
  9. Nevada_Bob

    Nevada_Bob Light Load Member

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    Aug 8, 2009
    Mesquite, Nv.
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    I learned how to back up one trailer with a dolly simply out of laziness but I don't have the patience to back up two trailers.
     
  10. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Vegas/Jersey
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    Why not just hook the trailer to the dolly, it's no difference.
     
  11. Donk

    Donk Have a Cup Of Concrete

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    Apr 27, 2008
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