I watched a video where the driver rolled up the landing legs just a little bit off the ground and then did the tug test …? I guess it was meant to prevent damage to the legs? And I thought the red air line was the emergency, not the blue? Idk…
I work for Estes and hook these everyday on the yard........you are doing it the hard way!! Save your back and don't MAN HANDLE the Dollie! (Back injury) Hook the Dollie to your Lead trailer and then back the lead with Dollie under the rear trailer........unless you can't back then I guess do it your way!
Nice vid. One important thing I think was skipped was to make sure that the gladhands on the back of the rear trailer are closed with dummies or with closed valve. Otherwise you don’t have a closed air system and then when you go to press on the brake........... The tug test seemed excessively long. If the pavement isn’t smooth or even you risk doing damage to the landing gear dragging the trailer like that. IMHO.
I don't disagree with the tug test but as he said dont want to high hook or not hook correctly. Isn't that why you actually look at the jaws locking around the king pin what does it take 10-20 seconds to feel and know with certainty your coupled.. Push pull and look always
I retired after 15 years pulling doubles in 2001, we never had dollies that did not have a crank handle that would lower and raise the dollies, we hooked up on gravel lots and you would never be able to pull them or roll them on gravel, plus it sure seems like you could pull your back if you were not very careful.
Thanks my job train you to drive the dolly towards the trailer I been having a hard time, that dolly keep going whichever way it wants. Thanks I'm going try this out first thing I get back to the yard.
Makes it look simple. I haul a horse trailer (which is nerve wracking with live animals) and that stresses me out with some of the tight areas I haul to and from, I criss cross the United States. Some people are made for it. I am not. Drivers are merciless to people that haul.
I didnt know you did work for Estes!! I actually start there March the 4th! I'll be running linehaul and doubles as well. What are your reccomendations? is it worth it? I can still change my mind and stay with my current company if this is too laborful for me at 53 years old in "ok" shape.
I was taught to cross your chains incase the dolly hops off the chains being crossed it wont sway back and forth as much as if they werent crossed? Some drivers dont cross and some do.
The tedious thing for me is to displace the dolly. In some terminals I go the ground is not very flat or very tight or both to do all maneuvers. I saw some drivers hooking doubles in just few minutes while it takes me at least half an hour. I use lots of brute force sometimes. I know how to hook doubles safely it just takes me time and this is not good for a line haule driver.
I don't understand why drivers call the blue line a "return line" when you press your brake pedal your trailers brake as long as you valves are open, when you release your brake pedal the air on the brake chambers is released and expelled from the system its does not return, the lost air is replaced by the Emergency line (red), so in conclusion it's not really a return line the air goes one way only on the blue line.
Dave Ackerson alot of big ltl companies use contractors to handle a good portion of their freight to cover more than they can manage to hire as actual Estes drivers. It's a big cost cutter for Estes also
When you did the tug test, that rear trailer was moving like the brakes were not applied. What gives? I thought that trailer brakes were supposed to apply automatically as a fail-safe with no air supply.
Steve Jones yes, you just have to sl8de the 5th wheel back all the way, and the 3rd axle doesn't help on your weight tho, a set of doubles is still rated at 80k, with a 2 axle truck is 5 axles for the 80k, so the a 3 axle truck is still rated as a 2 axle truck if that makes sense
+ballnchain filmz Oops I don't remember seeing it but anyways I already know how to. But from all the videos on here on RU-vid they're all really old how to videos. So I like how you guys are bringing them up to date a little bit. With quality and all
So many things wrong with this lesson. First thing to do after backing dolly under trailer is check the jaws for locking. Chains must be crossed. If you don't cross them then you really don't understand their purpose. Never drag trailer like that. I could go on but do not follow these instructions. I you want expert and safety first instructions watch a video on hooking up UPS doubles.
It's too hard because you don't do it to get good at it, try hooking triple trailers, stop with the sooky la la and practice, the only lesson in this video is how bash your gums i think
