Getting your Doubles/Triples Endorsement

I just took a written test on the material in the CDL manual. I'm not sure how it is to actually DRIVE doubles/triples, but the test was extremely easy -- Go for it!!

 

pulling dbls/triples really isn't like piggyback, which is what that job sounds like if it's delivering new trucks.
Pulling dbls isn't a big deal though

 

Gas, brake, and swing 'em wide. Don't pinch it.

 

Pulling doubles and triples is definitely different than pulling a van.

First, you have to learn how to properly hook them up. You have to know what to do with all of the air valves, and in what order to do things.

Driving isnt too big of a deal...Unless you hit wind, and are light or empty. There is a reason they call wiggle wagons.

Theres an old joke that says "the key to pulling triples is, dont look in the mirror". This is half true. Of course you want to look in the mirror, but you dont want to see that back box wiggling all over the lane and psych yourself out.

Ill type out instructions on hooking a set in a few minutes.

 

It's definitely different pulling triples than 53'. ''Harvey Wallbanger" summed it up pretty good. I've never pulled triple box vans. I pull triple tankers hauling fuel, you can't tie down liquid or secure it in anyway, that last trailer doesn't like to stay in her lane when it's loaded! Lol! Just like anything, it takes time to get used to it. Good luck to you!

 

Can you show a picture of your set of trips hauling fuel. I ask because I've never seen one. I've seen a truck pulling two pups. a semi with a pup, or like the one I drove a large tanker that was a truck and trailer, but never three trailers hooked to a tractor. I would agree that your last trailer does dance around but much different that a box. I used to pull trips up and down U.S.95 from L.V. to Reno before I hauled gasoline and it wasn't all that hard. Sure you had to know more but you've got to know more with fuel too, as you know. Also we loaded 12,450 gallons each load on our tankers and I would bet you'd like our set up better. I'd pass on yours.

 

The endorsement itself is cake. Not sure if you have hazmat, but it's a way easier endorsement to get.

I drove OTR for about a year and a half pulling mostly spreads and they are a little different but like anything else you get used to them. I'd rather pull a set than a van now because it's what I'm used to and feel comfortable with.

Probably the main difference to me is doubles/triples, especially at a freight or parcel company, require a lot more feel than a standard van or flat. A 30K set will pull so much differently depending on where the weight is - lead/kite, high/low, and left/right. Nothing pulls worse than 30K where the two trailers are close in weight and the heaviest 6 or 8 foot freight concentration is on the back of the kite - even worse if the low side is heavy. 40K or 44K on 2 generally pulls great but that will get you stuck in the winter faster than an empty set - that heavy kite acts like an anchor in snow. My ideal set is like 18K and 8K - the lead is slightly heavier up front and the kite is an even low center 8K. I think I've had that set 8 times and 7 of those were on dry roads..lol..

 

Hey ''GasHauler.'' I should have been more detailed about my description of our ''Triples/Nine Axles.'' Our triple: It's a truck/tub pulling 2 pups. 9 axle: Truck/tub Pulling a jumbo trailer similar to the one in your profile pic except with a shorter draw bar and then a pup behind it. I'm sure you've seen 9 axles around Vegas since you're in NV?

 

Sure have in fact you can see all of our trucks including the other companies at the mark wayman western tanker truck collection site.