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SAIA | Need help learning how to drop and hook a set of doubles.

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trucksrfun

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Hi I'm in the process of getting a job in the ltl industry and unfortunately have never broke down or hooked up a set of doubles and I have to know how to do this for this company during the drive test and they don't train. If anyone is willing to show me in person or let me get some hands on experience I would greatly appreciate it. I have already watched all the videos I can and I need the in person experience. I would even be wiling to pay someone for their time. I have called trucking schools with no luck. I live an hr north of the Los Angeles Ca area and an hr north of the Ontario/Fontana Ca area. I have already taken the drive test once and failed in the beginning of the hooking up because I was very nervous and the drive test instructor could tell I had never done it in person. The hiring manager is giving me one more chance but told me to go get hands on experience and call her back. I have very limited time or I will lose this opportunity all together.
 
Maybe you could go to a truck stop and ask a trucker to take you through the process without him actually breaking the set... Videos are not as good as actually seeing it done and getting personal advice... Some truckers are grumpy and probably wouldn't want to... But maybe you can get lucky and find one like me... Good luck.
 
Is there a tech school, driving school, or anything like that nearby? Or, ask the lady what her suggestion is...you kinda control your own destiny. They need you, and you want to work, so ask her for suggestions...volunteer to show up at the terminal just to learn this skill...
 
Just keep in mind you always have to do everything twice that's including post and pre trips and be very very meticulous check EVERYTHING TWICE I always go to the part of the yard that is set aside to drop rear trailers or if your rear is a relay that will not be broke most of the time there will be a section for these too. This is my procedure try to stay out of everybody else's way sometimes this is not possible 1st I stop do a 360* walk check lights tires etc. crank down the jacks on the rear pull the pin dump the air on the dolly unhook the air/electrical lines turn off the valves pull out from under it take the dolly to the dolly parking spot if you don't want to keep it personally I like to keep mine as long as I can if I have a good one if you keep it take it with you and drop it somewhere out of the way while you drop your lead then hook it behind your tractor HOOK THE SAFETY CHAIN THESE THINGS CAN COME LOOSE AND A RUNAWAY DOLLY CROSSING THE YARD AT 20 mphCAN CAUSE SOME INJURY OR DAMAGE put your dolly in front of your rear trailer remember the light trailer goes on the rear and the heavy one in front hooked to the tractor then just do it all in reverse just remember safety and pre/post trip inspection is vital when pulling doubles I stop about every 150 -200 miles and do a walk around just to eyeball everything and kick the tires well I hope this helps and good luck trucker

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I dont know why it would have to be on your driving test. There are more drivers that have never hooked a set than those that have. Its an easily trained skill and becomes more easy with practice. I guess every company is different.
 
So, your gonna be on the spot performing huh.....

Well, Im sure you got the mechanics down..so now i'll tell you what was missed and what probably will foil your whole plan...air valves, you gotta know man

Some trailers have broke off handles and you wont even know theres a valve up under there...may have even been a dummy coupler even!!!...

Point is, think about your air man, for real....Its goes front to back, and its gotta make it all the way to the back,valves can end up anywhere...
 
Helping hand

Well i just read your post on hooking sets,did you get help?did you get the job?im out of fontana and i will walk you through the process.on a sat afternoon.
 
I'm a
trucksrfun said:
Hi I'm in the process of getting a job in the ltl industry and unfortunately have never broke down or hooked up a set of doubles and I have to know how to do this for this company during the drive test and they don't train. If anyone is willing to show me in person or let me get some hands on experience I would greatly appreciate it. I have already watched all the videos I can and I need the in person experience. I would even be wiling to pay someone for their time. I have called trucking schools with no luck. I live an hr north of the Los Angeles Ca area and an hr north of the Ontario/Fontana Ca area. I have already taken the drive test once and failed in the beginning of the hooking up because I was very nervous and the drive test instructor could tell I had never done it in person. The hiring manager is giving me one more chance but told me to go get hands on experience and call her back. I have very limited time or I will lose this opportunity all together.
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I'm a hostler and it's real easy..
 
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