Question about securing the dolly hook up when pulling doubles.

Pulled up along side a set of doubles at a traffic light the other day. I noticed the dolly hook up didnt have the top loop closed over the dolly hitch. I was able to jump out and alert the driver before the light changed. He made the light I didnt. However as I got on the highway ramp he was just pulling back off the shoulder. I'm guessing he saw the issue and slammed the hook down. As I pulled back along side of him it still wasnt latched. So is this something thats ok now?? I passed 3 sets of UPS and another company's doubles and all of them had the thing latched. A good bump and that dolly could have come un hitched!!! I called the local office and the safety person has yet to call me back. I guess I will visit my local office and walk in to see the man.
I guess its a waste of time while driving along side of you guys to see something and say something to alert you before your in trouble.

 

That was a good pickup. Unfortunately it happens more times than It should. Yes it should be locked.

 

Most of the newer dollies have a single stage brake can which helps lock the eye in place but I would not rely on it.

 

That was a good catch OP. As stated the dolly hookup rests inside what we always referred to as an “eagle claw”. Set the circular hookup of the dolly inside and onto the trailer hookup and clamp it down. Inside that clamp is a plunger that comes out when the brakes are released and holds that “O” of the dolly tight against the receiver of the trailer. It’s one of those things that PROBABLY would be enough.. but if it came sailing off, wow. Let’s just say I I never trusted those safety chains. Good catch and good on you for alerting the driver. Kudos.

 

He probably pulled over but couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Some of us do appreciate things like that, and some of us are clueless. That isn’t unique to doubles drivers.

I’ve passed two different UPS drivers in the same night with no lights on the rear trailer, and both of them were oblivious to my attempts to get them to pull over, but that doesn’t mean I just give up on all of them now. I like to be optimistic and assume they finally realize what was going on when they get to their destination and see the problem. Hopefully that sticks with them and they’ll pay it forward.

 

So, you're saying on a pintle style hitch, the top jaw wasn't closed? Good grief, who in 'tarnation is driving Americas trucks? That's a pretty important thing to overlook,. You did right calling the company.I'm sure a trooper wouldn't have been so nice, OOS.
Once, I worked at a skid steer rental place, and if the customer had a trailer hitch, we'd rent them the machine and a trailer. Well, this guy comes in to return the machine, and the hitch wasn't latched. I said, "you know, you didn't have the hitch locked",, he said, get this, "oh, I know, I figured the weight of the trailer would keep it on the ball hitch",,,

 

Should be a safety latch on the bottom that snaps back to keep the top jaw closed. If it’s rusty or not lubed, closing the jaw won’t do it. I got into the habit of tapping it down and tapping the safety latch back with the safety chain. Then grab the top jaw and try and lift it. That driver should be fired if he pulled that down the road after you flagged him. That’s a catastrophic accident just waiting to happen.

 

I worked a a few equipment rental yards when i was 18-19, and had the same thing happen more than a few times. one was a Kubota Tractor in a 12ft moving trailer with the bottom jaw turned the wrong way.

I have been pulling doubles for 25+ years in LTL, i double check when i hook, check a second time when i park to go get papers from dispatch, and check a third time after getting ppwk. All three hooks.

And double check everytime i stop. Im sure every LTL Driver does the same. I hope.

 

I get some weird looks at the truck stop when I walk around my set with a flashlight after fueling up. They probably think I lost my keys or something.

 

They're just confused that you didn't pee on the fuel island. Or they're wondering why you're taking off before your 30 is over.