53 triples!

I remember back in 98 that SLH would sometimes pull the 2 pup/1 53' empty combo's from S'toon to Regina, but wow....3 53 footers would be pushing it for me. I'd probably try it anyways if I lived down there.

 

What I don't understand, is why it's okay for turnpikes, or these doubles, but a normal Super-B can be 6 inches over length(who determines these length allowances, anyways?), and the company fined for that extra 6 inches.

However, back to the issue at hand, if I was in a longer wheel-based truck, and since it's B-trains, and not A-trains, I would give it a go, for the right amount of pay, if I lived there. Snow storms shouldn't be an issue, since you're going between S'toon and Regina, and weather reports are readily available.

 

Exactly, have to give it a try if out there. Add to the list of things I've tried.

 

The Aussie's have been running b triples for years. And quad b's as well. And you're correct, it's not with 53's

Aussie road trains are all generally b configuration although there are still bogie type trains, b's are much more popular these days because of ( as already stated above ) stability and manuverability. Some Aussie outfits, I believe, still run combo units of b configuration and dolly's for pups or longer trailers. These, as I recall, are called combo's like ABB, BAB, and so on. Go to YouTube and type in something like "Aussie road train backing up". I've personally seen these guys and gals back up b triples and quads with the ease some of us can back super b's here in Canada.

As far as that picture goes from the posted link, maybe I'm off base here, but it does look like a diagram for a triple b BUT with 53 footers? This represents a whole new manufacturing sector in the transport industry, does it not ? I know that the first 53 b was made 3 or 4 years ago as an experiment by a manufacturer in Ontario but when you consider that most b configurations are made up of specific 'lead' and 'pup' units of varying lenghts, 53 b's aren't coming out of the wood work yet.

Finally, I agree that it take less drivers to do more work. Personally, I will not haul ANY type of 'over dimensional' load or configuration without appropriate compensation. Period. I once hauled wood chips for an outfit that wanted me to haul chip trains for the same rate as the guys hauling straight trailers. Nope. Sorry. Not me. Someone has to take a stand. Unfortnately for us 'old' guys, the younger guys would haul chip trains for almost nothing for the 'prestige' of it. They had fun with all that prestige when winter hit and they had to chip out the loads frozen in the trailer belly's. Having said that, if what the 'experts' say is true, and that North America is facing a driver shortage sooner then later, then it only makes sense to have lesser, higher compensated drivers pulling trains. Either way you shake it down, the corporate higher-ups are going to push for maximization no matter what you or me say. Maybe professional drivers should be leaning back towards Unions again ????

We shall see.

As usual, just my opinion.

SL