Dropping Doubles/Triples

Your employer can’t make you drop an endorsement. If they are paying more then brush up on coupling. If not, I wouldn’t pull them.

 

Just drive... pulling doubles is nothing crazy... if its a road test. the best part is that they won't make you back up. They probably won't require you to drop and hook the set either. But that also isn't too hard.

 

Don't let your nerves talk you out of this. Pulling a set of doubles isn't that much different than pulling a long box. All the normal things you're supposed to do still apply. Just hold the wheel steady with minimal corrections and those trailers will follow you straight as an arrow.

 

I didn’t think anyone could make you drop endorsments that you paid for. Anyway my first driving experience was with Pup trailers just drive normally. When it comes to backing with a pup they are much more squirlly than a regular 48 and 53 footer they turn a lot quicker so go slow and be gentle with wheel motions when backing a pup into a spot or dock.

 

Yeah, but if you can. pull wiggle wagons, it'll make you more versatile and worth more money. Talked to a driver for OD the other night, he does linehaul only, does his10 and goes home. Claims 87k last year. Makes me want to go for it, I can't work for big co, too outlaw.

 

All of the hard work is making up a set of doubles or breaking them down. Driving doubles is EASIER than pulling a 53 ft trailer. Drive a set of doubles like you are only pulling the first trailer. Don't swing wide for corners. Ignore the second trailer when going around corners. It will follow the first trailer.
Don't make rapid lane changes.
Don't make panic stops.
When you mash the brake pedal, the brakes take effect a fraction of a second slower than with 53 ft.

I drove OTR for over a year before I pulled my first set of doubles. I got no training, just a couple of trailer numbers and a destination. Even an empty set of doubles goes up hill like a moderately loaded 53 ft trailer. They also speed up on downhills. Remember to open all of your outside air valves running from tractor to the rear of the second trailer. On the rear bumper of trailer 2, close those air valves or you won't have any brakes. Make sure your tractor 5th wheel, if it slides, is at the most rearward position or you will likely knock off your tractor mud flaps.

 

In 91 I got on w UPS and the guy that trained me said no worries, just don't look in the mirrors on windy days or driving grooved lanes..lol
He also said in winter the time to panic is if your pup passes you.
Worked for a year and figured that the freight hauling life wasn't for me.

 

Just don't back up. I hear it's like trying to pushing a chain,,,