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greyhounds, I really enjoyed the story about that Iowa trucker and how he moved three loads to Chicago with one line haul move and then back hauled three more loads back to Iowa with one move. He was a smart cookie! [quote]QUOTE: Any of you drivers want to take twin 53's over Donner in January?[/quote] Can't speak for back east, but in Nevada its only twin 48's that are allowed. In the western states anytime chains are required these extra length combinations are not allowed. In the case of triples the 3rd box and second con-gear must be dropped, the same with the rear 48 ft trailer and its con-gear. With a "Rocky Mountain" set (48' trailer and con-gear and 28' trailer) the same is true in Nevada and Utah. If it was legal, I would not mind triples or twin 48's over Donner, but never with chains. With wet or dry roads it wouldn't be much different than a set of doubles with the exception of the much higher gross weight. Its interesting to note that CalTrans along with the California Highway Patrol tested triples on I-5 during the late 1970s - early 1980s, can't remember the exact year. The tests results were positive, but the California Automobile Association lobbied very successfully to keep these combination off of California freeways. And in my opinion probably best for California. [quote]QUOTE: I'm open to correction by a driver - but there are a lot of problems with them.[/quote] From my experience they are no more problematic than a set of doubles. [quote]QUOTE: When a heavy truck starts, something has to slip. The engine is turning, the wheels are not. Either the clutch or the wheels has to slip during starting. What was demonstrated was that a tractor pulling two 48's up a curving on ramp could have problems. If the driver had to stop, and that's going to happen, he couldn't get the highway train moving again. He was stopped with a heavy load on an up grade on a curve. Throw in some ice/snow, whatever and the vehicle isn't going to move.[/quote] My bid truck at work is a two axle 1987 GMC Brigadier with a 240 hp Cummins matched to a 7 speed transmission. I like to call it my "18 year old, single owner, low mileage classic!" Many times taking this tractor up to Stead on the 6% of US 395 during traffic with a set of "Triples" its stop and go, the grandma gear gets it going every time after a stop on grade. And a "heal and toe" on the fuel peddle, without clutch, gets it into 2nd, and so on... [quote]QUOTE: "Turnpike Doubles" are allowed in certain states on certain routes. As are three 28 foot trailers behind one tractor. It's not going away, and it's not expanding. Heavy trucks beat the Hell out of the highways. From what I know, these routes for the "Turnpike Doubles" are toll roads that charge proportional to use. Unless the states do that, they're going to dig themselves into a big financial hole maintaining their highway networks.[/quote] In Nevada these over-length combination are allowed on most highways and streets where regular heavy duty commercial traffic is permitted. This just for fun, for most people in the trade a "Rocky Mountain" set is configured as follows: truck-tractor, 48' trailer, con-gear, then the 28' pup. Where I work, none of our 48' trailers have pintel hooks. So are "Rocky Mountain" sets are configured as truck-tractor, 28' pup, con-gear, then the 48' trailer. Another just for fun; I get a buck - yes, that is one dollar, a "Washington" if you will, for pulling one of these over-length combinations. But, before anyone gets excited, I get paid by the hour. More trailers...more drop and hooks, and the longer it takes. Jim - Lawton, NV
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