Backing Doubles

I rode with an owner-operator hauling gravel for the construction of I-196 near South Haven in 1964. (That Interstate is finally being rebuilt this summer.) His Diamond Reo was leased to Contractors Transit and they owned the trailers. The eleven axle rig was similar to the tankers described by Burky. A locking pin made it easier to back the second trailer to the gravel pile at the batch plant. Then he would suspend the tongue with a short chain, unhook the hydraulic hoses, air lines and light cord before backing the lead to the gravel pile. It seemed that he could dump both boxes and re-hook faster than most van drivers do a drop and hook.

 

I'm sitting at the Waterloo (Indiana) TS playing on my computer and just watched a fellow back up double flatbeds into the space next to me. Granted there wasn't anything on his other side, but dang! Smooth as silk. They snaked in smooth as silk and only took one pull up.
When the driver got out, I got out and congratulated him on a fine job. He was older than dirt (about my age) and smiled as he said, "just wanted to see if I could still do it."
you just don't see that kind of action very often.

 

Still learning here, well, our company always pull two 28" in Canada and three 28" in the states at times... I have seen it in person, a senior driver backed a whole set of doubles into the shop, pretty tight doors... For some work to be done on the rear trailer... For now, yea, I can back a single and my supervisor tell me don't even bother trying to back a double... Triple? OMG!

 

Im no expert trucked but I worked on a farm for more than 15 years. I have backed doubles a few times also. Its like backing up a wagon you have two pivot points assuming there is alocking pin. You have to do everything opposite of backing a single trailer to make the rear trailer do what you want. Rear trailer to go right turn right.

 

We had a driver back when I was running P&D could back a set up for 80 feet or a little more so. Asked him how he did it. He just said lots of practice, but that's gotta be hard on the clutch learning how to do it right.

I just cant see the need to back up more then 15 or twenty feet at most with doubles.

A truck and trailer, like a gas tanker rig, is easy to back up since you only have two pivot points, and I did that for years, but with doubles you have three pivot points to contend with.

Its not worth it to me to learn to do since its not really needed and its gonna tear someones tractors up to learn to do it right. Not worth it.

 

To impress your buddies and say you can do it right..haha.. That has a lot to do with it but so does challenging yourself with the equipment you use and taking pride in it.. I was the kid that touched the stove when my mom told me not to since it was hot but I did cause I wanted to find out for myself..


I'm alright at it now but have nothing on some of our drivers.. Some tips I've been given that I've found are very accurate..

It's a lot easier with two heavy trailers close in weight..

It's substantially easier if you're backing down a very slight hill..

If your set up isn't almost perfect it's not gonna happen. It's always easier to set up by your passenger side - the dock or slot should be on your right when you turn to set up. Best if you're a little to your sight side once you stop but dead straight is alright too..

Not sure the best way to word this but I'll do my best.. You want to keep the center of the dolly's 5'th wheel dead on line with the center of the kingpin on the back box - that way you're pushing the back box with the dolly instead of turning into a pretzel. You wanna go real slow and turn fast to steer the dolly and keep it all in line..

The key to hitting the dock or slot straight is figuring out how to go back 30 feet then pull up 5 or 10 to straighten out again..

I'm no pro yet but I can definitely do it now and have never banged up any equipment in the process.. We have some drivers that can do it like they're backing a single box and it's something to see - one driver out of Erie, Pa can do it to the point that you almost don't believe what you're seeing..

 

A B-Train can be backed because they only have 2 pivot points. Any trailer can be ordered as a b-train even vans, they just choose to not use them here in the US very often. I can't understand why Michigan uses the dumps with the turn table on the pup instead of just using b-trains like Canada. After watching the scrap haulers hook and unhook all day it just seems pretty monotonous.

The one's that's almost impossible is the doubles that use a converter dolly (3 pivot points). Like ABF/Con-Way or the other LTL carriers.

 

Far from impossible - just hard to get the hang of at first..

 

I know, that's why I said "almost". Although I don't see even the best driver backing them around a corner or inside a small door like they do "B's"

 

Haha.. They don't back that way.. We're adding an additional pivot point with an LTL set.. The most impressive thing I've ever seen with a set was the Erie, Pa driver sticking his back box against the dock between two 53' wagons at our Milton, Pa facility.. He does not drop his kite in the yard - he always places it against the dock.. This is not made up or embellished in any way.. Any Con-way Freight driver that is in the region knows exactly who I'm talking about.. He's now a 2 million miler here alone and draws a crowd when he does it.. It's unreal..