Road Trains

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Wolfpak, May 1, 2008.

  1. Wolfpak

    Wolfpak Bobtail Member

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    Apr 21, 2008
    Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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    Over here in the Aussie outback a lot of freight is transported by what we call a Road Train. Basically, a Road Train is a vehicle with multiple trailers that are connected together by Dollys (or Bogies). So here are some YouTube videos that I thought you guys might like to check out. And since I don't know how to use that YouTube link thing just above on the right, I'll just have to post the links. Sorry hehe

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMBFIlNMxEo&feature=related


    This next one is amazing! Count the trailers! Imagine having to reverse this bugger! And check out the quad axles on the single trailer following it. Judgeing by all the people watching, this must have been put together for some special occasion.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCpYoiaynMo&feature=related



    Here's what getting passed by one looks like. Remember, we drive on the left over here!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXpzr5JRYYo&feature=related



    This next one is interesting in the sense that the first 2 trailers are a Road Train set up, but the last 2 trailers are in fact a B-Double set up. Note the seemingly shorter trailer (number 3) which has a turntable above the wheels, behind the tank. This is what the last trailer is hooked onto, as opposed to being connected by a bogey with a turntable on top. That is the difference between Road Trains and B-Doubles/B-Triples.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4x8blG2kfM&feature=related


    Hope you guys like seeing these.
     
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  3. dieselroarmt875b

    dieselroarmt875b Medium Load Member

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    even a classic combo are heavier ,taller than EU or US ,very serious rigs you have got down under.i have never seen one in flesh, but my favorite truck is an aussey KW k104b ,it looks like an fright train not gentle and softy like EU trucks
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2008
  4. soon2betrucking

    soon2betrucking Road Train Member

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    Sep 28, 2007
    Philadelphia, Pa
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    thats pretty cool, iv heard about this before, some guy made a record by pulling the most trailers, and then he beat his own record by pulling,,,,i THINK, 58 trailers at one time... thats something id like to do some time,
    what kind of money does a driver " down under " make yearly?? do you no?
     
  5. Donk

    Donk Have a Cup Of Concrete

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    soon2be, thats a difficult question to answer, BUT

    you cab go from 30K a year up to 75K is ( there are higher paying jobs, but try to get them...)

    sounds ok, until you look at how our industry runs.. AND how much it costs to live here.

    When i was in the US, my friends wife couldnt believe how i thought everything was cheap. the prices on products i recognised were usually around half, and the quantities ranged from a little more to double.
     
  6. dieselroarmt875b

    dieselroarmt875b Medium Load Member

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    which truck suits best to AUS conditions EU or US?
     
  7. Donk

    Donk Have a Cup Of Concrete

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    That is a hard call.

    we can beat ANY truck to death with our work. its why a lot of companies test new ideas out here..

    im metro, the european trucks work well due to them being all cab over.

    go out into road train territory and the us style trucks work better.

    Everything MUST be australianised to survive out here..
     
  8. dieselroarmt875b

    dieselroarmt875b Medium Load Member

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    Have you some experience with the new ecologycaly complient trucks, cat acert or cummins egr, i wonder how they perform in your conditions?
     
  9. Donk

    Donk Have a Cup Of Concrete

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    We have only just started to get them. They are looking to be more trouble than they are worth , we cannot afford reduced fuel economy due to the large distances we have to cover to get to the next fuel.

    everyone is REALLY quiet on how they are performing. which usually means issues..
     
  10. dieselroarmt875b

    dieselroarmt875b Medium Load Member

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    have found some clips in youtube with kw acert ,read some comments and drivers are not pleased how they perform poor economy ,have no guts .So how do you think drivers will tend more towards trucks with SCR?
     
  11. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    I think the US DOT should allow road trains, starting with California.
    I'll volunteer to be the first driver to do it.... :biggrin_25523::biggrin_25523::biggrin_25523:
     
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