Running Doubles

In addition to what G Town and Banks explained. Sometimes a trailer will be going to one destination and it won't have enough freight to fill a 28 foot trailer let alone a 53 so it limits lost space and increases equipment availability.

Plus 2 28 foot trailers gives an extra 3 feet of cargo space. In the LTL world where customers pay for both weight and the amount of trailer space their shipment takes every square inch is important.

Bobcat Bob wrote:

In addition to what G Town and Banks explained. Sometimes a trailer will be going to one destination and it won't have enough freight to fill a 28 foot trailer let alone a 53 so it limits lost space and increases equipment availability.

Plus 2 28 foot trailers gives an extra 3 feet of cargo space. In the LTL world where customers pay for both weight and the amount of trailer space their shipment takes every square inch is important.

So true. Sometimes lading weight is less than 10,000lbs, other times it 20,000lbs. The other thing I failed to mention; since the trailers I shuttle will be used for customer deliveries, a 28’ trailer is necessary because of local maneuvering.

While we're at it, G'Town,

So, what y'all pull is 'A Trains?' (B' Trains are those long many many many trailer ones in Australia, or such?)

I know, the more you teach the more I ask. I've always been like this; sorry. I think the teachers in school gave me A's just to shut me up, haha! sometimes...I'm a sap for learning.

A B C trains ~ doubles/triples etc..

We watched a documentary on TV yesterday; there were 5 trailers, in Australia! Sheesh!

Thanks guys, I LOVE this thread. So will MANY NEW MEMBERS, I'm sure!

~ Anne ~

Based on the definition in the link, yes; A Train. I’ve never heard it referred to as an A Train.

I believe the differentiator is a standalone converter dolly verses the attached converter configuration as shown with the B train.

While we're at it, G'Town,

So, what y'all pull is 'A Trains?' (B' Trains are those long many many many trailer ones in Australia, or such?)

I know, the more you teach the more I ask. I've always been like this; sorry. I think the teachers in school gave me A's just to shut me up, haha! sometimes...I'm a sap for learning.

A B C trains ~ doubles/triples etc..

We watched a documentary on TV yesterday; there were 5 trailers, in Australia! Sheesh!

Thanks guys, I LOVE this thread. So will MANY NEW MEMBERS, I'm sure!

~ Anne ~

I think I saw you mention the first snow since you moved How'd you like dealing with a set in snow?

G-Town,

As good a driver and mentor as you are the doubles will become just like anything else you do. When I hired on with Conway Southern Express back in 1990 I had no experience with doubles at all and after a short time you learn the differences in hauling them and it becomes second nature. Yes they require a little extra work to hook a set, they do "wiggle" and always remember to keep the heavier box as the lead. I am really enjoying this phase of your career and I lived in Seaford, De. for many years and switched to Conway Central there which is now XPO and I love Southern Delaware. Keep strong and safe.

Roads were predominantly wet. RT 13 and RT 1 and I-295 were all in good shape. Thanks for asking. 👍

I think I saw you mention the first snow since you moved How'd you like dealing with a set in snow?

Thank you for the words of encouragement Navypoppop. Safe travels.

G-Town,

As good a driver and mentor as you are the doubles will become just like anything else you do. When I hired on with Conway Southern Express back in 1990 I had no experience with doubles at all and after a short time you learn the differences in hauling them and it becomes second nature. Yes they require a little extra work to hook a set, they do "wiggle" and always remember to keep the heavier box as the lead. I am really enjoying this phase of your career and I lived in Seaford, De. for many years and switched to Conway Central there which is now XPO and I love Southern Delaware. Keep strong and safe.

Back when I pulled doubles I was without a pintle hook for over a year at one point and did just that.

Our dollies with 3,000 lbs. I normally move them with tractor, but sometimes I'll do it by hand so I can get out quickly.

Meaning, I arrive at my destination and I know what I have to take back. After dropping my tail I line up the dolly while it's still attached to my lead and push it back to my new tail by hand.

You know what we used to call pulling an empty set in a snowstorm"? A suicide mission.

"In my case; food service, I’m shuttling empties from remote yards to a regional distribution center."