Avg Trailer Length

The truck has no fifth wheel but does pivot in two places. 1 is where the pintle hook is on the back of the truck and the other is on the permanently mounted turntable under the trailer. They are very easy to back and like I've said before the trailer tracks close to the truck. When I first started I was with my trainer and we pulled into a station and I said no way. We were behind the station in an alley and came out between the station and the building next door. The trailer cleared the station by about 6 inches and I know most would say no way. In all the stations that we had in Las Vegas we did not have to back into or out of any. If you're ever in Vegas take a look at the station on Las Vegas Blvd right next to I-515 near downtown. I don't know what brand the station is now but if it's still a gas station you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

Chemical trailers are limited to 42 - 45 feet because the tank is the stressed member w/ kingpin and tandem fixed in place. they can't get much longer unless the metal gets thicker = no gain to get longer!

 

Each truck is designed for a specific task. Semis dont maneuver as well as a T&T. That's why we have T&T Gravel trucks,Vans(Chip) and Tankers. Just like nothing even comes close to a Long Logger for lack of off track. Anything else just wouldn't work in the Woods. Same goes for a 100 ft. Stringing truck. And that is one of the challenges of driving multiple configs. over the course of decades.

 

I really enjoyed it and was always eager to learn new systems. When I hauled triples that job most likely added 5 years on to me life! But still was a challenge.

 

Grey hair? Blood shot eyes? Worn out joints? This fixed dumb founded gaze on your face. It comes w/ the territory. Drive combinations for a few years then one day hop in a single piviot/semi truck and try backing up. Keep turning the wheel the wrong way. Finally after 4 times you figure out it's the other way for semis. Like riding a bicycle you might be a little rusty but you never forget. An old boss use to say. "It's hard to find a good T&T man."

 

it depends on the product....really varies for me. Hazmat is very security based ops, but wax is mostly hook on pickup, back to deliver...pump or air off for an hour...