New to pulling 26' doubles..Question?

i pulled pups (28" not 26) all up and down I-84 in CT and NY, and up and down I-95 from Mass to NJ, and i can tell you DO NOT shut off any brakes..you want to be able to slow down that rig properly...in bad weather you WILL reduce your speed and turning..and INCREASE your following distance.....that's a given, but NEVER shut off brakes......

 

I've never pulled doubles in that situation but it sure does not sound like a good idea. One could use that logic for 2 empty trailers, or an empty 48' van or flatbed, if he is using it like you stated. Sounds dangerous.

 

What was the dude smoking? That's just not a good idea. I've only pulled doubles a few times, but never cut the supply to the brakes on an empty pup.

 

that rear "puppy" will come around faster than a dog in heat, and slap you silly and call you willy....

 

First off it's agains't the law. Every axle must have working brakes. Second, I hope the idiot that told you this doesn't drive doubles or triples because he'll end up in the ditch or much worse sooner or later. And always make sure your heavy box is first, then second,and last third.

What I did on ice going down hills, when I was in NV pulling triples, I would pull down on the trailer brakes just enough to engage the brakes to keep the set straight. It takes about 3 to 5 psi if your brakes are set right. And I'd go down real slow. I used to adjust my own brakes on the set each night so if you do not know if they are all adjusted the same then don't use this old trick.

You need to make sure everything is working right and clean off your lights then most important slow down. I don't care what these other hot shots say about getting out of their way you take it slow so you'll be doing it for along time. Let them pass you and go on and pay no attention to them. If you can find an open lot with plenty of ice and no poles or cars to run into test your set. Go about 2 to 5 mph and apply the brakes. Go slow enough so if it does get out of shape it won't hurt anything. If you're lucky to drive a set like my last company you'll have good working ABS brakes on all the axles but still you'll want to slow way down when it's slick out there.

 

The answer is no, don't ever do this ever..

I've heard of this before where drivers will place a quarter in between the glad hand hook ups connecting the lead to the dolly so I tried it for myself on a snow covered yard - a yard, not a road. I just left the blue lines disconnected with the dummy glad hand in place to see what would happen if I braked hard.

The trailer axle on the lead locks and the dolly starts to push around one way while the back box goes the other way - the weight pushing you from behind also sends your lead box in the opposite direction of the dolly turning you into one big pretzel. I did this at a slow speed in the yard and was still surprised how bad the set reacted.

Don't ever ever ever do this on the road. Your best bet on bad roads with an empty back box is to stay way back and break easy when you have to. I've been pulling these things for a while and have had mt's lock up many times and can tell you they come right back as soon as you let off the brakes. If you were at any kind of highway speed and locked up the lead with no breaks behind it, there would be no saving it because about the time you realized what was happening you'd be in the ditch.

Don't ever even attempt to shut off any brakes with a set - ever. Whoever told you to do this is a moron and if he does it, it'll bite him at some point.

 

never heard this either, but i dont see how it would be a good idea

i trust jakebrakes opinion as he probably pulls a set every night being a conway linehaul driver....i pull a set about once a week, usually less then 50 miles

 

Thanks man.. Have been pulling sets nightly for the last two years and for the most part for the last 7.5 but I'm done.. I know what I'm doing but most "truck drivers"lol have no clue what in the hell they're doing behind the wheel so I'm calling it quits for at least a year..

I won't be driving this year unless I choose to.. I took a yard bid.. I'm so sick and tired of dealing with these morons that a year off might just what I need - getting off work at 2 or 3 in the afternoon won't hurt either..

In a way I'll miss blowing by you non-driving laid off trucking was my last option people on the Pa Pike.. You carry the same habits as 4-wheelers.. I ran South all year for the most part down I95 but have enjoyed the last few weeks running the Pike..

In one particular instance the other morning I was CB assaulted by a Landstar driver pulling a van after I held him up for a second at the New Stanton merge because I stayed left a little to long for him.. I passed him without a word between Donegal and Somerset because he drove like a typical 4 wheeler/truck driver in the snow - on and off the brakes with an erratic speed.. He didn't like that so he passed me right before the tunnel after tailing me the entire way and ran 40 through the tunnell..lol.. He saw that I was not real happy and started racing me in the snow for whatever reason..lol.. I backed off because I know the road - as soon as we hit the hard curve I pushed that set as hard as it would go on snow while holding my lane and I watched his sorry driving butt disappear in the mirror..lol.. He tried to get back by passing me but once again we hit a curve and he almost went off the road..lol..

I'll enjoy bringing you clowns your trailers..hehehehe..