when / where / how are doubles legal?

[radioman]

They say doubles are not legal in NYS, but I see us postal service towing short doubles and freight companies doing the same. Not sure how the loophole works on that.

 

[flyingcow]

Must take a while for the dust to settle!:thumbsup:

Egon, not uncommon over there to raise the breathers, or air intakes, to cab height or above.

 

[aczlan]

They say doubles are not legal in NYS, but I see us postal service towing short doubles and freight companies doing the same. Not sure how the loophole works on that.

Legal on the thruway and possibly on interstates (such as 81), but not legal on surface roads. Have seen a few running on surface roads with doubles, but I doubt that they were legal.

Aaron Z

 

[piller]

Last Saturday on Interstate 40 East in Tennessee I saw something interesting. It looked like a one ton dually pickup truck was towing a gooseneck horse trailer. Behind the horse trailer was a small dolly type trailer. A second gooseneck horse trailer was connected to the dolly trailer. The guy driving passed me going about 75 mph.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Non commercial or non air brake doubles commercial or not are an even greyer area than the CDL, no CDL debate.

I ran doubles in NJ and PA only but I always thought 28' pup doubles were legal on most federally funded highways and with limited access on state roads. That would include a reasonable distance to get to say a terminal or a customer even within city limits in some cases. Trust me, you learn the meaning of doing a button hook turn.

In spite of lot a lot of people say they do or have done or whatever, you might want to do your homework just in case. I have seen at least one state mentioned here in this discussion that does not legally allow it.

From what I have read, I agree that the lead trailer has to be a fifth wheel/GN and the latter a BP and only a dolly with air was legal.

Even worse than the pay for running doubles is the often as not single axle tractor with air bags. Tear your back up big time.

 

[The Haymaker]

I have a doubles endorsement and thats bad enough. The pay rate isn't justified.

I knew a guy who drove for FedEx hauling triples. Paid $0.10 an hour more. Don't think that would cover my underwear costs/

Joe H

I've hauled doubles on 95 and across Rt9 here in Maine. Not quite sure why everyone is so concerned with the pay raise? I didn't find they were anything all that difficult to run, hauled them in fair and bad weather. Pay attention and stay on your game, there's no difference from hauling a single. Fail to pay attention and make a sudden maneuver, you'll be picking the contents of the kite up off the highway.

One gripe was the work involved when making and breaking, but then, I'm an hourly employee so the more time it took, the more I made!

We haul LCV units across MA and NY. Unfortunately I will never get a chance to play with those because I am domiciled in ME. A doubles and triples endorsement is gained with a simple written test at a state facility, just like any other endorsement. To run LCV, you have to provide some proof of training given by the employer, there is no additional endorsement.

A little clarification:

Doubles - two trailers.
Triples - three trailers.
Pups - 28' trailers.
LCV - Large Commercial Vehicle - Two or more trailers that are 45' long or longer.
Lead - front trailer.
Kite - last trailer, has to be equal or lighter weight.
Converter dolly or just dolly - single or tandem axle unit that connects between the trailers.

In the case of LCV's, usually only allowed on major arterial highways. There will be a drop yard off selected ramps where the LCV units are made up and broken down, then the single trailers will be moved on secondaries from there.

Sets of pups allow a little more flexibility but are allowed on select routes.

On that note, it's time for breakfast!

 

[flyingcow]

Run in New Brunswick quite a bit. They have B-Trains. Not sure of overall length, but i think they can gross 140,000lbs is spec'd right.

I also see 53ft doubles, thems longggg. You must be looking at 130ft+ in length.

 

[zzvyb6]

Here's some Michigan info if you are not a commercial trucker. The word indicates the number of trailers (double = two trailers). If you are pulling with a pickup, the first trailer must have a 5th wheel hitch. The second trailer must be off of the frame of the 1st trailer. Written test required to demonstrate basic knowledge.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/recreational_double_21025_7.pdf

 

[JIGBUILDER]

Fed Regs may read a truck/semi trailer/trailer for a three vehicle combination. Some folks get it wrong and say its a tripple tow when in fact its a double tow (two trailers).
Fed Regs for a tripple tow may read truck/semi trailer/trailer/trailer = three trailers.
Now a state will have its own wording regarding commercial doubles or even RV doubles.
We can tow tripple in my state (three trailers). Mostly in the summer going to one of the many big COE lakes with a 5th wheel trailer/bass boat/PWC boats bringing up the rear.

My son lives in FL and would like to tow double with his 5er and a blue water boat. No can do. However during bike week at Daytona he says he sees all types of doubles and even a three trailer tow on occassion. Guess FL doesn't want to bother the tourist dollar.

 

[Soundguy]

I wouldn't say that.

DOT practically camps out at the 5 interstate exits within 30m from my place.

they pull anything and everything over... relentless in their revenue enforcement... guess every now and then they accidentally make it a lil safer too.. but I don't feel it's their main goal... reguardless what their mouthpiece or website actually says...

soundguy