Why not more double trailer truck?

Doubles and triples (gasp) allow freight companies to take freight from one terminal to another without unloading and reloading the trailers. While triples are only allowed in certain areas, they have been under a lot of scrutiny, and some states are banning them all together. I think as the driver shortage becomes more and more serious, companies will have no choice but to implement more doubles, as there won't be enough drivers to deliver physically deliver one trailer at a time. I think you'll see in the future, more centralized distribution centers, as OTR drivers become less available.

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4189749]Doubles and triples (gasp) allow freight companies to take freight from one terminal to another without unloading and reloading the trailers. While triples are only allowed in certain areas, they have been under a lot of scrutiny, and some states are banning them all together. I think as the driver shortage becomes more and more serious, companies will have no choice but to implement more doubles, as there won't be enough drivers to deliver physically deliver one trailer at a time. I think you'll see in the future, more centralized distribution centers, as OTR drivers become less available.[/QUOTE]
OTR as a concept is completely flawed from the driver's view. You are pretty much an on call traveling worker, much like a gypsy with a CDL. Very little to no pay for delays, breakdowns and waits for loads and unloads. Sitting for hours and days at a time without seeing a dime or seeing your family is a terrible concept.

With freight companies delays are minimized, home time maximized along with pay. I used to team OTR and I thought that was good money until I ran team this week for a freight company. 671 mile turn and burn, no delays, drop hook haul arse back. The way it should be. None of that "can't deliver early" BS. "Oh, the broker wants it there tuesday", SCREW THAT!

I understand O/O can and will make a good living running wild, but for a company driver OTR is horrible unless the company sets up a decent deal when it comes to accessorial pay.

 

I agree, Oi!, OTR trucking is horribly out of date, and incredibly inefficient and I'm surprised it still exists at all nowadays in it's present form. I use CL as kind of an indicator of where the trucking industry is going. Yesterday, there were over 160 transport jobs in my area alone, and 2/3 of those openings were for OTR, company or O/O. If current trends continue, and there's nothing to suggest they won't, as less and less people want to do that, how are we going to get our freight from one long distance place to another? I see a huge problem around the corner for this country.

 

when i first started driving, i was told some states don't allow doubles. NE section of the country.

i noticed in one of the virginia states i think it was. they only drive dump trucks. 3axle type, maybe a drop. pups aren't allowed.

i have a o/o friend that drives dump truck, when he bought his pup from the NE. he had issues from the company he ordered from, becuase they aren't allowed in the state he ordered from. can't remember what the issues were.

 

I've pulled doubles....there is really nothing to it...just dont swerve and dont try to back up. They are pretty popular on roads where they are legal. Doubles arnt legal everywhere and 2 53 footers are only legal on certain highways. Although there are cost savings, its not a 2 for 1 deal. When hauling 2 53's, you have 4 more axles on the ground, so rolling resistance almost doubles. Aero dynamics is better on the second trailer, but its not 0 drag. Fuel ecconomy does go down significantly with doubles. The driver prob makes a little more. So, although it can be a cost effective solution, the logitics of it make it not ideal all then tme.

 

How would they save money?

Only if a company ships less than a full truckload could they possibly save money.

 

most drivers arent good enough to drive them

 

Funny you should say that... The only times I ever pull flatbed, it's doubles. Pears, and Grapes in bins and gondolas. I see lumber on doubles around here too.

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4189766]If current trends continue, and there's nothing to suggest they won't, as less and less people want to do that, how are we going to get our freight from one long distance place to another? I see a huge problem around the corner for this country.[/QUOTE]

California may have just fixed the driver shortage. In January, AB60 takes affect. This law requires the DMV to issue drivers licenses to applicants who are unable to submit proof of legal presence in the United States.

Yay, driver shortage solved...

 

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