Doubles & Triples (Oh My!)
Topic 3714 | Page 1
Double and triples do go OTR...alot of them have their drivers stay in hotels/motels..as parking in truck stops id hard for a regular truck, and near impossible for a set of doubles/triples ( backing up is NOT and option). Were I you, I"d go ahead and get the endorsement while in "study mode". Ya just never know when you will need it.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Yeah, I agree....get all of the endorsements. You never know what opportunities will come along.
Appreciate the insight - many thanks as always! Now back to the CDL manual and High Road....
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Having me doubles help get me a shuttle run at my job.Never pulled them or had a thought but just having it on my license put me ahead of guys that had been there years before me.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
I pull doubles probably 80% of the time, 90% of that time is at night lol.
Other than being extra careful not to flip the rear trailer, doubles are actually easier to handle. The guys tease me for turning so wide with them, you can turn a lot shorter with doubles. I stay in the habit of turning wide so that when I do have a long box behind me I don't forget and get myself in trouble.
Get ALL the major endorsements. Doubles, tanker, and hazmat. You never know when something may come up. I was able to get where I wanted to be much sooner than expected so I'm glad I already had them. Besides, other than the hazmat the endorsements are a breeze.
Woody
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
I agree. It's worth it to get all of your endorsements. I tested for doubles/triples, tankers, and HAZMAT when I got my permit even though I never thought I'd drive any of them. Sure enough, as soon as I go looking to change jobs every place I applied to required all of them.
BTW, does anyone know why companies that require HAZMAT always want a tanker endorsement, too, even if they don't have any tankers in the fleet?
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
I agree. It's worth it to get all of your endorsements. I tested for doubles/triples, tankers, and HAZMAT when I got my permit even though I never thought I'd drive any of them. Sure enough, as soon as I go looking to change jobs every place I applied to required all of them.
BTW, does anyone know why companies that require HAZMAT always want a tanker endorsement, too, even if they don't have any tankers in the fleet?
That is because of some of the new stuff that is coming down the pipeline in the next few years. Pretty soon in order to drive a flatbed you will also have to have a tanker endorsement also because you can carry portable tanks chained to a flatbed. Ever seen a flat bed with a bunch of 1000 gallon tanks on the back? They look like square plastic tank and most hold some type of chemicals in them....
So what is the difference between a tanker with 10k lbs on liquid in the tank or a flatbed with 20 5k liquid tanks? Nothing except flatbedders don't have to have a tanker endorsement. That will be changing in the next few years.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Officially passed Doubles/ Triples, Hazmat and Tanker... permit is getting crowded...time to turn this paper into an official License - Road test June 7th!
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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Have little desire to run doubles or triples but still have a few questions - (pardon my 'dumb' newbie q's)
1) Even with no desire, is it worth it to study up to have the endorsement just in case (while I am still in 'study' mode)? 2) All the doubles I see are run with day cabs - is that a law that they can't be run at night? is it a parking issue? Am I just in the wrong state to see doubles / triples with sleeper cabs?
Any insight is greatly appreciated!
- Curious Skyguy
Day Cab:
A tractor which does not have a sleeper berth attached to it. Normally used for local routes where drivers go home every night.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.