doubles endorsement

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Jamie2017, Apr 22, 2018.

  1. Jjay

    Jjay Bobtail Member

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    Is turning the same in doubles the same as turning on 48 footer trailer?
     
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  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    No.

    Pups can get around tighter corners due to the extra pivot points.
     
  4. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    I have pulled rocky mountain doubles a lot of miles, but never 2 53 footers, what states is it legal to pull 2, 53 footers??
    We can and do have some 53 foot lead trailers, but both trailers and dolly combined has to be 95 feet or less, so the back trailer has to be short.
     
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  5. Jjay

    Jjay Bobtail Member

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    Interesting so would you say it is easier to drive doubles for turning purposes?
     
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  6. SoCalRed

    SoCalRed Medium Load Member

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    I never pulled doubles, got hired by LTL company. The test drive was with doubles. I told the driver giving me the test that I never pulled doubles before and he walked me trough the steps to hook up a set. I already watched some YouTube videos before the test and was familiar with the process.
    You don’t need any special skills for it. Just be gentle on the steering wheel they don’t like to be rocked. Also remember to put the heavy trailer at front.
     
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  7. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    if you are talking standard short doubles, were talking much easier, especially with the short daycabs a lot of them use. They can make a turn that I can not make without backing up bobtail in my truck.
     
  8. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    When pulling doubles and going around corners, ignore the second trailer. Drive like you are only pulling the first trailer. The doubles combination is a long combination and the natural tendency is to swing wider to corner when pulling doubles.
    DO NOT SWING WIDE ON CORNERS. Swing just wide enough to get the tractor and the first trailer around the corner. The second trailer will go where the first trailer goes.

    Also, if you have a sliding 5th-wheel on your tractor to set the 5th wheel as far back as possible or you will knock off your tractor mud flaps when the landing gear of the first trailer hits them when turning.

    You have to think farther ahead when pulling doubles because you cannot reverse. If you turn down a narrow alley, you now live in that alley until you get help.
     
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  9. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Turning wiht doubles is MUCH easier than turning with a 53 foot trailer, but you are limited to pull-thru parking only, which all newbies can use these days anyway, and you cannot reverse until you drop the trailers, for all practical purposes.
     
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  10. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    And the single axle daycabs ride like a steel trolley on a gravel road until they are hooked up to a set of doubles. Then when they are pulling doubles they ride roughly compared to a air-ride tractor pulling a load.
     
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  11. Tx Countryboy

    Tx Countryboy Road Train Member

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    I think Missouri & Utah allow 2-53's on interstate. Seen 3 someplace . they are restricted to interstate.
     
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