Pulling Doubles - Smaller heavier trailer first?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by doubles, Feb 23, 2017.

  1. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    Ugh... Follow-up comment. It would be really helpful if I read the entire OP thread.

    So based on the dimensions you gave for your pup and long box, it would fall within the legal limits of the states you want to drive through. All the states don't go by length per trailer, but rather the combined vehicle length of truck, both trailers and con. I think Montana is 115 feet or something like that. So if you wanna run this thing on your own, you need to contact each state and apply for a overlength/overweight permit. These will run you a few hundred dollars per year, per state. It may run you a bit less if you don't request a triple permit.

    Some personal advice: start asking for permission to drop a trailer and con at nearby truck stops, preferably close to the interstate. You will need a drop lot everywhere you go since it is almost impossible to negotiate tight traffic patterns with a reverse rocky set.

    Speaking of drop lots, I just pulled into mine. Our cons don't have license plates either.
     
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  3. doubles

    doubles Bobtail Member

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    @road_runner, I am private and very new to the industry. I am the driver, dispatcher and co-worker. Where can I obtain a permit book? Sounds like it is extremely useful!

    Are reverse rocky mountain doubles legal in those three states? Is there an online resource for applying for LCV permits? I originate out of MT, so turnpike doubles will be out of the question. Am I reading this right -> For MT 61-10-124 2a means that doubles cannot each exceed 28.5' in length or a total combined of 61' without a $75 permit. However, the last line says "...truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer, and truck tractor-semitrailer-semitrailer combinations are not subject to a combination length limit." This last line completely contradicts the previous length restrictions and confuses me.
     
  4. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    My company does all the permits and stuff. To get started in Montana, this site might be helpful http://www.mdt.mt.gov/business/mcs/permits.shtml

    Looking at the fee schedule, your total would be $275 a year to run a set that is no longer than 110 ft long. The initial fee will run you $75 and lets you run two pups. The extra $200 is if you want to run a rocky set. Don't quote me on it though since I don't actually apply for any of the required permits.

    I am also out of Montana so I know for a fact that reverse rocky set is legal here. We also send them through Idaho into salt lake city all the time.

    A permit book is something you have to build. You pretty much just add extra sheets to it behind your registration paperwork and stuff. That's all ours are.
     
  5. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    IIRC, dollies need plates and working lights if the dolly is the last vehicle in the combo.
     
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  6. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    Ours do have working lights. Never seen one with plates. Now and then one will be the last vehicle in the combination, but not very often which is why I don't think they sprung for plates. I believe you because ours do have some kind of title paper work in a little container attached to the dolly.
     
  7. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    Funny how dollies are such a gray area. It gets treated like a trailer there, but a trailer/dolly/trailer is considered doubles in the law, not triples.
     
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  8. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    Yeah they are a grey area aren't they, I'm sure I've seen dollys with plates, but none of ours have license plates and I know I've seen plenty other companies that didn't have plates on there's either. I never really thought about it until now.
     
  9. duckdiver

    duckdiver Road Train Member

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    Op do you have your doubles endorsements on your cdl? Hate to state the obvious. That being said at my company our con gears (dolly) has lights and license plates. I pulled up to 2k heavier in the back and no issues but wouldnt press it further than that
     
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  10. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    So our cons don't have plates because they are rarely the last towed unit. On the occasions they are on the very rear, they have to have all functioning lights.

    It was also pointed out that none of our tractors have rear plates because we very rarely bobtail as well.
     
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  11. terryt

    terryt Heavy Load Member

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    He can not pull a set of doubles from a pintle hook do not care what length they are
     
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