Really Big Rigs

Actually I think they are all the same. Some people just started calling the ones with more axles Super B-Trains.

 

What are those double trailers with the 3 axles at the end of the first pup but it has the rear axle behind the trailer and a 5th wheel above it, and the rear trailer has 2 axles. I cant remember what type of box they had on it but it looked goofy for meeting some odd ball weight law.

 

that would be a B-train setup, the first trailer has a 5th wheel, to eliminate having to use a convertor dolly. It saves weight, length, and adds maneuverability. A driver that has pulled B-trains for a while, can put them almost anywhere an average person can put a single 48 or 53 footer. My buddy that pulled them would regularly back them around corners, even blind side them into spots at the TS, or into warehouses or into docks to be loaded. Thats really something you can't do with a normal set of doubles, with a convertor dolly.

As for the number of axles, or where they are at, it really depends on what the requirements are for weight, and laws, like you assumed.

For instance, the setup my buddy ran, was a 3 axle lead, and a 3 axle pup. The lead had a 9 foot spread, with a 9 foot lift(refered to as a tri-9) The 5th wheel is mounted about 3 feet infront of the rear axle. The pup has a closed tandem at the back, with a 9 foot lift. So looking at the whole combo from the side, it would go...
steer.....drives...9'spread..9'spread..9'spread..9'spread...tandems.

 

The setup your talking about and the 5-9's setup was very popular for running ohio and indiana.

 

can super B trains be locked for easier backing up?

 

Holy old thread resurrection!!

To answer your question, no. Never seen one that could be pinned. The guys who pull them daily can back them anywhere they wish.

 

is there any where on this site that will give you the general idea on how to back them up if your new to them

 

I've been pulling then for years and they're still a pain in the ### to back up.

As for learning how, you really just need to do it, real slow. You'll quickly see that your turning the wheel the opposite of what you would feel natural with. Bit of practice.

Shy of backing them up in a straight line no one I've ever seen can " easily " back them around a 90 degree.

You wind up looking like Austin Powers in the tunnel.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLKR9tCiwvA[/ame]