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Is it legal to tow a converter dolly WITH a trailer attached to it?

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by Russian Rabbit, Jul 30, 2018.

Page 2 of 4
  1. Jul 31, 2018 #11
    Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    The converter dolly gets its name because it is a dolly that converts a semi trailer into a full trailer. Full trailers are perfectly legal to tow behind a truck, provided the hitch is rated for the weight.
     
    Pedigreed Bulldog, Jul 31, 2018
    Pedigreed Bulldog, Jul 31, 2018
    #11
    brian991219 Thanks this.
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  3. Jul 31, 2018 #12
    OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    That is understandable if for dolly only then, I can see that.
     
    OLDSKOOLERnWV, Jul 31, 2018
    OLDSKOOLERnWV, Jul 31, 2018
    #12
    Dave_in_AZ, wore out, BigBob410 and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Jul 31, 2018 #13
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Had a strong pintle on my dump, it was only good for 13000 max. And that was off the plate from the builder next to the hook.

    Im pretty sure we loaded it a touch more than that some days. Just dont need a ambulance chasing lawyer to see it and add up the trailer weight. Or a couple of other towing situations we have been involved in where a bar was attached to the steer axle of the towed vehicle. (With me in it as mr brake, not my idea of a good driving experience.)

    I for one would not be doing that trailering to a dolly to a pintle. It's just aint done.
     
    x1Heavy, Jul 31, 2018
    x1Heavy, Jul 31, 2018
    #13
  5. Jul 31, 2018 #14
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    I am thinking that the rating is a vertical load not a pulling load.
     
    Ridgeline, Jul 31, 2018
    Ridgeline, Jul 31, 2018
    #14
    rabbiporkchop Thanks this.
  7. Jul 31, 2018 #15
    sdaniel

    sdaniel Road Train Member

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    The hook on the back of LTL trucks are just for moving a dolly by its self .
     
    sdaniel, Jul 31, 2018
    sdaniel, Jul 31, 2018
    #15
    De Trucker Thanks this.
  8. Jul 31, 2018 #16
    Russian Rabbit

    Russian Rabbit Road Train Member

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    i'll get into exactly why i brought up the original question in a sec, but first i want to make clear and establish that there doesn't seem to be that much, if any, tongue weight on the pintle (and thus no weight on the truck or trailer that the dolly is hooked to? ), or is there?

    One time, i unhooked the lead trailer from the dolly, but left the dolly latched under the rear trailer-----just to see if it could be done. There didn't seem to be too much weight on the actual pintle (circle part); Yes, i could re-hook the lead trailer without too much trouble. Granted i was not loaded very heavy in the rear trailer.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2018
    Russian Rabbit, Jul 31, 2018
    Russian Rabbit, Jul 31, 2018
    #16
  9. Jul 31, 2018 #17
    De Trucker

    De Trucker Medium Load Member

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    I wouldn't trust it even pulling. On our tractors the latch is relatively flimsy. And the eye hook is loose when hooked up to it. So you get a lot of movement. With the weight of a trailer with all the slack and yanking would probably break it.
    Especially loaded. An empty pup MIGHT be possible. But I still wouldn't trust it.
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2018
    De Trucker, Jul 31, 2018
    De Trucker, Jul 31, 2018
    #17
    Gearjammin' Penguin Thanks this.
  10. Aug 1, 2018 #18
    Gearjammin' Penguin

    Gearjammin' Penguin "Ride Fast-Truck Safe"

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    Gearjammin' Penguin, Aug 1, 2018
    Gearjammin' Penguin, Aug 1, 2018
    #18
  11. Aug 1, 2018 #19
    Russian Rabbit

    Russian Rabbit Road Train Member

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    For the purposes of this discussion, let's assume that the pintle hook on the tractor IS rated to tow a converter dolly with trailer attached----equivalent to the pintle hook on the back of a trailer.
     
    Russian Rabbit, Aug 1, 2018
    Russian Rabbit, Aug 1, 2018
    #19
  12. Aug 1, 2018 #20
    Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    Then, as I stated, it is perfectly legal.
     
    Pedigreed Bulldog, Aug 1, 2018
    Pedigreed Bulldog, Aug 1, 2018
    #20
    brian991219 Thanks this.
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