Doubles/Triples

Is it really that physically difficult to hook up a set of doubles? What about that dolly for the 2nd trailer?

Despite the fact that I would prefer to go OTR , my situation is such, I probably should be looking for linehaul or LTL jobs. I'm really wondering about those doubles or tankers and wondering how tough they really can be? Anyone willing to give me more insight? Im not petite.. about 5'9" and reasonably strong and in decent health, but I'll be 53 in a few weeks. Female friendly linehaul companies?

Sue like you I too was worried about hooking up doubles. Then when I started at OD I had no choice but to learn. Let me just say that I worried about it way more than was needed. It's far easier than you would think. Let me give you a break down of how I've been shown.

First thing after you get your assigned trailers go get your dolly. Just bobtail over to it. This one of only two times you have to "manhandle" the dolly. You simply roll the dolly over and connect to the pintle hook. No need to hook anything up yet because your just towing it temporarily. Just make sure the air lines are secure in place so they don't get caught on anything. When wheeling the dolly around by hand it's easiest to do it on level ground or at least on a downhill. Don't try and go up hill. You're just making it harder on yourself. So from here you drive over to your tail trailer. Unhook the dolly and roll it in front of the trailer making sure to line up the fifthwhel to the kingpin. Then leave it. Go hook up to your lead trailer like normal and drive back over to the tail. Now back your trailer as straight as you can to the dolly. Doesn't have to be prefect though. Just gently bump the dolly so you know your far enough back. Get out and hook the dolly back up to the lead. Just the hook part. Now at this point since you've lined up to the kingpin everything should go straight together. Get in and back up to the tail. You'll probably see the tail shift a little as it's getting lined up. After that you just hook your air lines and you're good to go. Well besides pretipping the whole set up and making sure the pintle hook is locked. Some things may change depending on your dolly but the procedure should be about the same. Like I said before it's actually really easy. So don't worry about it.

Hooking a string(hooking up doubles and triples) are really no different than a 53' in my opinion. It's really easy but has to be done the same way each time.

Don't over think it. You will pick it up in no time.

Thank you so much Heavy and Guy! Yeah I was worrying about it way too much. Now to research some linehaul companies. Should be all the majors here since I'm a skip and a jump from Louisville.

Go on YouTube and search "How to hook up a set of Doubles"

There are a bunch of videos. The only difference in the videos is some trucks have Pintle hooks on the tractor and so don't so they use the first lead trailer to pull the dolly to the setup position for the trailers.

Heavy gave you a good snapshot. Physically, you can do it. We have gals at our terminal that are very petite. Also have older men. Remember to lift with your legs, you could easily pull your back or groin muscles if not careful. Never try to stop a rolling dolly.

I have something about hooking doubles in my thread here:

LTL Trucking: My Linehaul Job

You'll have to weed through the thread to find the part about hooking doubles. I included pictures. It's not exhaustive by any means, but merely a start.