What's this combination called?

Where there's two tanks-but one's mounted on the tractor,and the other being towed on a trailer? That's not considered to be a set of doubles, is it?

 

Truck and full trailer

 

I would call it a truck with a pup trailer.

 

'Full' refers to the fact it is not supported by the tractor, not the size of the trailer.

 

is this like a transfer dump were talkin about, does it have a dolly under it or is it just like a pintle hitch trailer?

 

It's commonly know out west as just a truck and trailer. You'll see just about all the gasoline companies run this type of set up. They can haul more gallons because the weight is reduced by not having such parts like the fifth wheel. There's no fifth wheel anywhere. What you have to know, say when you get an permit, is to remember that the first tank is permanently mounted to the power unit or truck. The trailer is connented to the truck by using a drawbar and pintle hook. The drawbar is permanently mounted to the trailer by way of a turntable. Please don't refer to the drawbar as the tongue.

Believe it or not you can get these trucks into spots that a semi would never even think of going. That's another reason the the gasoline companies use them. To get into the old gasoline stations that were built along time ago when they only used a bob-tail truck or a real small truck to unload. Since there's only two pivot points, and there're back at the pintle hook and under the trailer, the truck and trailer are very easy to back. Those trucks hold around 8500 gallons of gasoline and they're right up at gross when loaded. Of course not two trucks are alike when figuring gross weight so you can vary anywhere from 9000 to 8000 just depending how the truck is built.

I had an ole timer teach me a trick to get out of a station when the trailer will not get by a pump or other obstacles in your way. After you've unloaded and empty get some water and throw the water behind #4 axle towards the right back side. Get in the truck, set the power divider to on move the truck to the rear and when you have enough room pull down on your trailer brakes and apply a little power. The trailer tires will be on the slick part of the station and with the water you just put down the trailer axle (#4) will slide to the right far enough so you can get out. I would only recommend this if you try this with plenty of room and to the left side. I've done it in very close quarters and it's just a maneuver that you have to be very careful with. When you slide the trailer you will see that the very last axle will clear the obstacle just about the same distance that the trailer slid over. Also be careful who is standing around because every time that I've done it the people in the station poop their pants and get very excited.

In Las Vegas we had what was called the super tanker. They took a long tractor mounted a large tank on top and placed a drop axle right behind the fuel tank and battery box. Then we hooked up a 4 axle trailer to the power unit. The trailer always stayed with that truck so every thing worked like it should. Our ABS brakes were outstanding and worked just like they should. The truck and trailer was right around 80 feet long and gross no more than 110,000lbs. We would load 3200 gallons in the first compartment then either 1650 or 1550 in the #2 compartment. On the trailer we would load in the #3 compartmnet 3250 gallons, #4 1550 or 1650 gallons, and in the #5 compartment we would load 2800 gallons. For a total of 12,450 gallons for 6 loads a day.

I loved these trucks. I felt more at ease than any other truck I've drove. Even the semi's were not as safe or felt that way anyway. They rode a lot smoother than any other truck even empty. You'll hear a lot of driver say that the cab overs were unsafe but in my business they were great. They rode the same and when you got into the station and people are walking all around while you try to get to the tanks you could see a lot better. Plus you had an advantage with the turning radius.

 

GasHauler I would like to see that trick done to see how it works. I would also like to see some of the face when it is done.

 

I can picture it... you're basically sliding the nose of the wagon to the outside of your turn.

 

Exactly. The trailer will only move about 6 inches but that's all you need.

 

lazy mans way just reverse it sometimes old timers tricks are best left to the old time equipment why put stress on the axels when it is not needed seems back a bit rough when all you have to do is drive the vehicle not skid it.

Truck and dog Its called in Aus or truck and pig if the trailer isn't articulated.