How Hard Is driving Doubles?? (Tankers)

Nah Sioux City Iowa.

Tractor with pushers + 48ft + 30ft. They are long as hell.

 

Actually no you don't, they go around corners like no 53footer ever could. The biggest thing to be aware of is not getting into a situation you may need to back out of as they will get crossed up faster than you can say "where'd the back of my trailer go"?

 

Just know that truckstop parking spots are off limits. Rest areas or the fuel pumps if you need a 30.

The thing to be really careful of is if you are in a job where you will be switching between doubles and a 53footer on a regular basis. Don't want to head into a corner thinking you have doubles when you don't!.

 

Hardest thing is remembering and convincing yourself. Hold the wheel straight, do not try to correct it. Holding the wheel steady It will correct itself. Otherwise you will be pulling wiggle wagons.

 

One motel they used to put us at had a few side-parking spots along a wall to drive in and out of. But they were often full when I got there. Rest were back-in or back out, headed to a curb block.

But... there was a dirt lot beyond the pavement and someone (hmm) had pushed one of the curbs aside. So I could drive out into the dirt, turn around and come back out, sidling into the next spot if it was open. It's just a different mentality, after you get used to parking so you're pointed out it's easy.

I walked a doubles set and a semi and the total length diff was only about 4'. Much prefer doubles.

I've taken 30-min's in shopping center parking lots in some pretty nice places and curled up at the back under the ornamental trees and no one said anything. One driver we had spent every 30 at one of the casinos, in the regular car parking.

You can tuck them in about anywhere, just leave an out. Which is no more than a dump truck needs.

Yours will be easier, ours didn't have landing gear.

 

I’ve been pulling double tanks for the past few years. What are you hauling? I’ve done asphalt oil, bulk cement, and aggregate in doubles. What kind of places are you delivering to? You can make turns WAY easier than a long box.