Doubles and Triples CDL Endorsement

What Are Doubles and Triples?

Double and triples refer to hauling multiple trailers coupled together. Typically, these are some combination of two sub-53-foot trailers that are joined together. These trailers are typically hauled to a central hub where they will be dropped off and broken apart to be hauled by others to their final destinations.

Length and weight limits may vary by state, and certain lengths of LCV's will require driving only on highways or turnpikes.

Common LCV Trailer Combinations

• Rocky Mountain Double: A 53-foot-long trailer that is combined with a second smaller trailer that can be up to 28.5 feet in length. The combined weight can max out at 120,000 pounds.
• Turnpike Double: Two trailers that can each reach 43 feet in length and a combined maximum weight of 148,000 pounds.
• Triple: Three trailers up to 28.5 feet each with a combined weight of up to 132,000 pounds.
• Eight Axle Twin Trailer: A combination of two trailers that can be up to 33 feet long with a total of eight axles. The combined weight is not to exceed 124,000 pounds.

There are multiple benefits and considerations when it comes to doubles and triples, let's look at a few of each below.

Pros of Hauling Doubles and Triples

More efficient: Hauling doubles and triples is more efficient as one tractor can haul multiple trailers at once. This ability is thought to help keep consumer prices low and is considered more environmentally friendly by Canadian truckers.

More money: Companies like that the increased efficiency can help their bottom line as well. For example, only one driver is able to do the work of two or three and saves the operator money in the process. Drivers also can count on an increased rate, though not always.

Can be an easier haul: One nice thing about hauling doubles and triples is that some of the manual labor is typically taken care of. This means that trailers can often be pre-loaded and are simply dropped off and exchanged at a hub. Drivers usually end the day at their home terminal.

Cons of Hauling Doubles and Triples

Limited opportunities: The most common goods to be hauled using LCVs are agricultural and food products. This makes the demand for hauling LCVs more seasonal when compared to other types of freight.

Safety concerns: Not everyone is a fan of having doubles and triples on the road. For many truckers, it is a matter of perceived safety. This video does a good job highlighting some of the concerns that truckers have when it comes to safety:

Increased regulations: Hauling multiple trailers will further restrict further the routes and roads that are open to a driver. This is because doubles and triples often have a larger weight or length that can run over some jurisdiction's allowable maximums. This means that drivers will have to spend significantly more time and attention on routing when hauling doubles or triples.

How Do Drivers Get LCV (Longer Combination Vehicle) Endorsements?

Drivers will have to pass a knowledge exam to gain their LCV endorsement and gain the ability to haul doubles and triples. The exam is 25 questions in length and drivers are required to score 80% or above. The endorsement is good for the lifetime of the CDL.

The exam covers standard procedures for assembly and hookup of the units. This includes knowing things such as the proper placement of the heaviest trailer. Additionally, drivers will be expected to understand handling and stability characteristics including off-tracking, response to steering, sensory feedback, braking, oscillatory sway, rollover in steady turns, and yaw stability in steady turns.

Finally, drivers will be expected to be able to identify potential problems in traffic operations, including problems the motor vehicle creates for other motorists due to slower speeds on steep grades, longer passing times, the possibility of blocking the entry of other motor vehicles on freeways, splash and spray impacts, aerodynamic buffeting, view blockages, and lateral placement.

Warm up with CDL practice tests for doubles and triples here.

Does The Doubles-Triples Endorsement Require A Road-Skills Test?

There is no road test required specifically for driving doubles or triples.

What Are the Federal Regulations Regarding Doubles and Triples?

The main way LCVs are regulated is by the type of roads that they can use. Certain routes (mainly the Interstate Highway System and other specified non-interstate highways) are required to allow LCVs due to being part of the National Network. This is because of requirements spelled out in the Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 (STAA). This act established minimum and maximum length restrictions on commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).

States are required to allow doubles in combinations of 28 feet each in length on the National Network—with the overall length of the trailer combination to be a maximum of 65 feet. Federal weight limits on the National Network are set at 80,000 lbs, and special permits will be required for hauling over 80,000 lbs on the NN.

Weight limits for doubles and triples are calculated on a weight-to-length basis, according to the number of axles, trailer configuration, and weight on each axle.

See Also: Bridge Formula Weights Calculator

Additional State Regulations For Doubles and Triples:

Individual states cannot set their maximum CMV weight at lower than 80,000 lbs on the National Network. They can, however, specify their own requirements on their own roads outside of the National Network. Because of this, additional weight and length restrictions vary by state, so drivers will need to check state regulations when pulling LCVs. For example, certain states will only allow certain combinations on different routes within their state, outside of the National Network.

Each state may also require specific permits to haul doubles and triples through them. Drivers will need to plan their route accordingly and be aware of specific state regulations on their route.

To see an example of how different states can treat LCVs differently, check out how California and North Dakota deal with those hauling doubles or triples.

What Should Drivers Know About Pulling Doubles-Triples?

Spend time on safety checks: More trailers often mean a more thorough inspection process. And it may take a little bit longer to inspect multiple trailers and the coupling system but doing so is of the utmost importance. For a practical demonstration of what a safety check looks like for an LCV, check out this video of a FedEx Ground Doubles arrangement.

Operation is different: Due to the added length, there are some additional considerations to keep in mind when pulling doubles or triples. Drivers will need to know how to best manage their space to maintain safe stopping distances. This can be difficult with a variety of different vehicles mixed on the roads but allowing for more following distance and longer gaps in traffic before entering or crossing traffic.

Be wary of adverse conditions: Everything from a blizzard to a slippery mountain road can be enough to take even experienced doubles drivers off the road. That's why drivers need to be especially careful if they drive double and triple bottoms. LCVs have greater length and more dead axles to pull with their drive axles than other drivers. This means there is more chance for skids and loss of traction.

See Also: Double/Triple Trailers Training Program

What States Allow LCVs?

While all states allow the standard combination of two 28-foot semi-trailers, according to the Department of Energy, only 14 states and six state turnpikes currently allow longer combination LCVs. The routes that allow drivers to haul doubles and triples have not substantially changed since 1991.

States that allow LCVs on select routes include:

• Alaska
• Colorado
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Massachusetts
• Missouri
• Montana
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New York
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Straight From the Trucker's Mouth: Tales from the Trucking Truth Forums

Please enjoy the following kernals of wisdom straight from real Trucking Truth forum members.

Pat M. from MT, on what driving doubles is really like:

It's not hard at all. Especially if both trailers are pups. If you watch what happens in the mirror, when the first trailer straightens out behind you, it pulls the next trailer forward and away from the object you are attempting to miss. It was kinda cool watching that for the first time and then realizing what it was doing.

User 6 String Rhythm form PA on new drivers getting their endorsements:

I suggest getting all your endorsements at the time of testing, since you never know what opportunity might come up…. Point being is that you don't know the future, so you should put yourself in the best possible position to accept any opportunity that comes down the pike.

User Banks from North East, PA on why companies love to run doubles:

[A] lot of freight is on a schedule. They can't wait for enough freight to load a 53' trailer. A 28' gets loaded faster. They only get unloaded if they reach their final destination or if it's coming from a terminal that doesn't sort freight. A terminal that only does p/d still had their pick-ups. They'll load those pick-ups into a 28' and send them to the closest hub to be sorted.