LTL Linehaul position pulling doubles

Discussion in 'LTL and Local Delivery Trucking Forum' started by Sam1000, Aug 23, 2019.

  1. Sam1000

    Sam1000 Bobtail Member

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    Hello, I want to get into linehaul pulling double trailers but I don't have much backing up experience. I have about 3 years pulling doubles but never had to back up to connect trailers. My question is for the people who have or still work pulling doubles (linehaul) . Do you back up a lot? Should someone who wants to get into that type of work get some experience backing up? Should I mention that I don't have much backing up experience to the hiring manager?

    I'm in the process of going back to trucking school and get some training in backing up, just to get some experience. Thanks.
     
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  3. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    I wouldn't say anything. I pull doubles and practice backing them up just for fun. I don't really need to tho, I can just break the set and let the yard guy grab the rear trailer but I'm finally at the point where I can put it on a door pretty decently. I think with doubles you are pretty much thought of as forward only by everyone.
     
  4. Sam1000

    Sam1000 Bobtail Member

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    Thank you for your reply.

    Just spoke with my brother and he said the same thing. In fact he said the manager might not even hire me if i mention it. Seems like companies are always hiring local and linehaul drivers. Does the driver usually connect the trailers or do the yard hostlers/jockeys do it?
     
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  5. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    I do my own set when I get to work. I don't think I would like anyone else doing it because I'm a lil paranoid when it comes to the dolly because there is a lot that can go very wrong in that 6 feet of truck so I like to do it myself and quadruple check everything.
     
  6. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    Another one to ask is @LtlAnonymous I know he pulls doubles too and I'm sure a few other guys do too. @LtlAnonymous and myself just had a conversation about not backing so I'm pretty sure he would agree that it is though of as a forward only job.
     
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  7. LtlAnonymous

    LtlAnonymous Road Train Member

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    I'm thinking you must have some strange form of job where you pull doubles but have no experience backing up. I mean of course nobody would expect you to back up once your doubles are hooked. But just backing up with a single trailer? I would think you'd have SOME experience with that.

    But if not... Then just learn on the job. I mean I pull doubles, but I back a trailer up to hook or spot a trailer every single day, and with tractors that have many different setups and wheelbases.

    I can tell you that I was not nearly as good as I needed to be when I started this job, either. I was doing linehaul for another company where I would occasionally spot pups in the docks, and occasionally back up to hook, but definitely never had to 45° a 53-ft trailer into a tight row with terminal traffic rushing by like I do now.

    So you can definitely learn on the job, if you need to.
     
  8. jmz

    jmz Road Train Member

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    Backing up a set of doubles is highly discouraged or forbidden by most company policies, so you don't need to worry about that. But backing up single trailers will be something you need to know how to do. You'll need to do it when you're hooking up a set and when you're breaking a set and putting the trailers in dock doors or backing into spots in the yard. Different companies will have different operations though, and some places might often have the hostlers hook and break your sets for you. Even then it won't happen every single time, so you still need to be able to do it.
     
  9. SidewaysBentHalo

    SidewaysBentHalo Medium Load Member

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    Your wasting money as backing at a school usually just includes cones. No practical application unless your lucky.

    Just because your rusty at backing doesn't mean you cant do it. Just have to relearn. You can fumble through that on the job granted you know which way to turn the wheel. Lol

    Just to frame it up into view i came into ltl with 0 doubles exp, and 53’ spread axle mixed in with tandem exp. Its a lot harder to put a 10-14’ wide load in a parking spot at the truck stop than it ever will be putting a 28’ pup in a dock.

    I think fear is getting the best of you.
     
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  10. LtlAnonymous

    LtlAnonymous Road Train Member

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    Oh yeah, I forgot to address the school aspect. I agree with Halo, you definitely don't need to go to school again. You can set up some cones in a parking lot on your own. Lol
     
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  11. SidewaysBentHalo

    SidewaysBentHalo Medium Load Member

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    Sounds like OP came from a company that utilizes someone to build/breakdown sets.

    The process is simple. Yank dolly over kite trailer (rear) and center it in front. Go fetch lead to line it up in front of dolly. It will take you some time to see how it looks in the mirror when lined up properly.

    Use a flashlight and set it on the ground if doing it at night and take a step in front of dolly tongue when the light hits the tire of that trailer pup tire you know your close. Dont forget to check and see if the kingpin is lined up and rear trailer height is good. Seen quite a few patched fork punches.

    If you really want to back be a shifter during your new employee period. You may not be fast and have to do a pull up or two but you'll get use to it.
     
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