Pulling doubles...

Doubles turns around corners much easier. Also, doubles is one of those trucking jobs where you actually have to be good at driving. Everything you do a the controls is amplified at the rear trailer. Not trying to scare you...just make absolutely sure that you are buttery smooth on the steering. A good doubles driver is so smooth that the two trailers appear to be 1 solid trailer from behind.

 

When going around corners ignore the rear trailer. It will go where the lead trailer went. If you are used to 53 trailers you will look in mirrors and see an even longer combination behind you. You will be tempted to swing even wider pulling doubles. DON'T. Drive like you are only pulling your lead trailer, but it's filled with fragile goods. SMOOTH. Also, even when empty you will pull hills like a half loaded 53ft trailer.

 

This is different still. You will notice that there are many doubles that wipe out. In good weather, the average driver will have the rear pup wiggling all over. Bad weather, theres going to be an accident.

Absolutely no sawing at the wheel allowed. I'm not saying dont jump at an opportunity to better yourself, just keep that speed to a minimum until you can pull them without wiggling the rear trailer.

 

Good advice. Also slow down. Take every ramp 5+ mph slower than you would in a 48' or 53'. In snow and ice, it's real easy to lose traction on the rear trailer, yanking you out of your lane or even off the road. Stick to your guns about making the call on weather.

Also keep moose tracks in your truck to help you get leverage for yanking around that heavy dolly in icy conditions.

Also... 100x worse than a regular trailer: there will be NO place to park at night for your 30. Try to hit a fuel island at 0200-0300 when no one else is around. Don't stop at midnight, most teams switch then.

 

.... Don't know that I've ever seen a solo guy and his sleeper pulling doubles... I'd think the powers that be know #### well you aren't doing much backing.

Line haul usually runs 250 miles out then back to base. No sleeping expected. Hence the day cab.

Many states where doubles / triples are common will actually note on the overhead highway signs whether or not you're allowed to run in the weather - Mass Pike (and the New York spur) had 'em shut down 2 weeks ago.

Keep the wiggle wagon straight as possible, you'll be alright.

 

Taking a 30 minute break @KillingTime.

And FYI... FedEx runs team line haul. Average length of our runs is 1400 mi. We run 2 or 3 round trips a week. Even OD has teams. So, yeah, sleepers. Although you're right Saia, Estes etc run daycabs.

 

I work for FedEx Ground. Make all movements as gentle as possible, this is my advise. Also, rear trailer do not follow first trailer in 100% of the trail. At least this is my observation. So, make wide turn, as with 53`
If you have good steady run, not extra, you will have 4800-6000 miles per week. That makes 1200-1400 net dollars in your pocket, weekly.

 

Learn how too back the dolly up when hooked to the lead trailer, and you will never manhandle it again.