California State

You mean all those doubles UPS and FEDEX drivers I pass on my weekly runs to L.A. are illegal? Whoda think it?

These are likely all 28' pups. Don't think you're going to see 48/53' doubles in CA.

But I'll have my crow sauteed in white wine garlic, with steamed broccoli on the side.

Rick

Thanks again for the responce. I did run from that school , The CA state DMV book says max lenth of a single trailer other than a special permited OVERSIZED load is 40 feet with exceptions. I asked the same school about that as well as I see 53 foot trailers every day. I got an I do not know for sure. About as bad as the doubles answer. Just did not seem right. So am running. Ran to here for now. Will have to find someplace to get a bus and or truck to take the drive test. Again thank you. Ypu folks are great. Jim

Thank you Rick No kidding I was told (at a local CDL school ) No doubles in CA state. I thought I had seen some in Northern CA hauling tomatoes but that was a few years ago. I again thank you for the Answer and will take this course. I miss the trucking industry. Been a few years but want to go back to it. Computers are cool but sitting in an office all Day I found myself thinking of trucks. Since I used to drive and do miss it and used to be a diesel Mechanic and miss that as well but driving was by far my favourite. Wrenching was too much like the office. I want back behind the wheel. Thanks Jim

Doubles are legal - triples aren't.

Ca dot Gov Doubles Endorsement Page

The page pretty much reads the same as what we have on here (we have WAY MORE DETAIL here @ TT).

So studying the Doubles/Triples Section here - should more than adequately prep you for the CA test.

This is an endorsement that VERY FEW OF US HERE will ever get to use. Line-Haul Drivers typically run doubles - I think we have one guy her (6-String) that does this type of work.

Bus requires the PASSENGER ENDORSEMENT - and also requires you to do a Pre-Trip and Road Test IN A BUS - it's not just a written endorsement.

Otherwise - the TT CDL Course is generic enough that we've had users in all 48 states pass easily using it. Texas has some "weird, state-particular-stuff" on it's general knowledge tests - everywhere else pretty much conforms to the Federal Standards for CDL testing.

Rick

If a local school said that, I would run as far away from them as possible. The state where you will probably see the most doubles is California from dry bulk tankers, belly dumps, dry vans, flatbed, I seen it all in California when it comes to double trailers.

Would the tanker driver near Sacramento not be a Truck trailer rig. To me I have never seen doubles for tankers. Only Simi's and Truck trailers were you have a 10 wheel truck with tank and an 8 wheel trailer with a tank and rather long tung between the truck and the trailer. to me anyway doubles use a tracktor and two trailers. Rather than a truck with one trailer. Yes No????? But I get your point. you probly ment truck and trailer and figured not to confuse me as I am new to this. But I very much apreciate your help and that of the others. Thanks again. and again. Jim

If a local school said that, I would run as far away from them as possible. The state where you will probably see the most doubles is California from dry bulk tankers, belly dumps, dry vans, flatbed, I seen it all in California when it comes to double trailers.

In fact - one of our members here - drives a double-tanker gasoline rig, that delivers to gas stations (after 2 years driving Prime Reefer). Lives around Sacramento.

BUT....

Mark your calendars - I am going to STAND CORRECTED. Doesn't happen very often.

Doubles/Triples are referred to as "Longer Combination Vehicles" - since I didn't see any notes on them for CA in my 2-17 Rand McNally Motor Carrier Atlas - I googled "Longer Combination Vehicles" and found THIS:

CalTrans (DOT) Longer Combination Vehicles Are LCVs allowed in California? LCVs are not allowed on California interstates and State routes. LCVs may operate on local streets and roads with permits from local jurisdictions.

I'll dig a little deeper when I get home, maybe tap Daniel B - since he drives one.

California DOES have to offer the endorsement on it's CDL's - because folks holding a CA CDL , may need to drive a double at some point in their career - even if it isn't in Cali...

Rick

Here's a double tanker from out in California. Gasoline hauler:

This wouldn't be considered a 'traditional' set of doubles because it's actually a straight truck pulling a trailer.

That to me is a truck and trailer. But one reason I am on this site is to learn. Things have changed. Names of rigs have changed as has weights. In my old days in Montana we had 18 wheel rigs in 3 main types. Simi a tractor with 3 axels in most cases or screws as I have seen some folks call them on this stite (good word for them as they do have a pinion and ring gear this a screw is a great name We used to call them Bogies). Anyway the other types of 18 wheelers were doubles with a Tractor with usually a single screw and two trailers. Then finally my favorite was a truck and trailer. The truck with 10 wheels and an 8 wheel trailer. These rode the best of all of them. The companies I worked for had at the time a few of those big doubles you guys mentioned. A simi pulling two 53 foot tigs (42 wheels) and we got the most weight by law at that time using a semi with a pup trailer. In this case the pup had 4 axles thus a 32 wheelers. That was allowed to haul more than the 42 wheel rig in those days. We carried mostly wheat from Montana to Idaho where it was loaded onto big barges on the Snake river then transferred to Portland OR onto larger ships that hauled the Montana Winter wheat to Russia. Man, those Ruskies loved the Montana Winter wheat and paid top $ for the stuff. Best Spaghetti I ever had was made with Montana Winter wheat. Anyway thank you guys for all the help and reading is helping me learn the lingo and about the other types of doubles I never heard of. Like the type B and C Now there are some strange types. The type b makes sense but C other than stability would be hard to work with. Anyway I also find the state of CA has laws that are hard to understand. MAX legnth is still an issue I can not get strait. Will work on it myself if can not figure it out will ask you folks. Thanks guys? And Gals. Jim

Here's a double tanker from out in California. Gasoline hauler:

That is most certainly a truck and trailer tanker set up. It is rare in California to find a "Petroleum" double tanker set up. Lots of milk tankers though.

That to me is a truck and trailer. But one reason I am on this site is to learn. Things have changed. Names of rigs have changed as has weights. In my old days in Montana we had 18 wheel rigs in 3 main types. Simi a tractor with 3 axels in most cases or screws as I have seen some folks call them on this stite (good word for them as they do have a pinion and ring gear this a screw is a great name We used to call them Bogies). Anyway the other types of 18 wheelers were doubles with a Tractor with usually a single screw and two trailers. Then finally my favorite was a truck and trailer. The truck with 10 wheels and an 8 wheel trailer. These rode the best of all of them. The companies I worked for had at the time a few of those big doubles you guys mentioned. A simi pulling two 53 foot tigs (42 wheels) and we got the most weight by law at that time using a semi with a pup trailer. In this case the pup had 4 axles thus a 32 wheelers. That was allowed to haul more than the 42 wheel rig in those days. We carried mostly wheat from Montana to Idaho where it was loaded onto big barges on the Snake river then transferred to Portland OR onto larger ships that hauled the Montana Winter wheat to Russia. Man, those Ruskies loved the Montana Winter wheat and paid top $ for the stuff. Best Spaghetti I ever had was made with Montana Winter wheat. Anyway thank you guys for all the help and reading is helping me learn the lingo and about the other types of doubles I never heard of. Like the type B and C Now there are some strange types. The type b makes sense but C other than stability would be hard to work with. Anyway I also find the state of CA has laws that are hard to understand. MAX legnth is still an issue I can not get strait. Will work on it myself if can not figure it out will ask you folks. Thanks guys? And Gals. Jim

Here's a double tanker from out in California. Gasoline hauler:

They are legal. You can have a double combination in California. It is unlimited length on the interstate if neither trailer while empty is longer than 28'-6". If one of the trailers is longer than 28'-6" maximum length is 65 feet. Extensions these doubles are allowed on hay trucks at the rear of 18" while LOADED only. Loaded, this extension is not measured as part of the overall length. Once its unloaded the extensions need to be removed or slid in to get the trailer back to 28'- 6".

Trailers 53' and longer are allowed as well, however the maximum king pin to rear axle must be no more than 40'. 53' trailers are allowed on all roadways in CA if an overall length is only 65'. Otherwise, only on Federal Highway Defense Roadways ( StateRoutes and Interstates), "T" routes, and if no other route is accessible to make a delivery at your destination. Usually a mile or so from a major Highway / Freeway. Triples are illegal in CA. Hope this makes sense, and I didn't forget something. This is in a quick nutshell.

You mean all those doubles UPS and FEDEX drivers I pass on my weekly runs to L.A. are illegal? Whoda think it?