Tandem trailers

Is this possible?

A driver picks up two trailers from the same place. One is being delivered to Salt Lake City and the other, to Boise.

If this IS possible, does the driver get paid full mileage for both trailers, or full mileage for the first and the difference for the second?

In other words, would the driver get paid for a 1700-mile journey AND a 2000-mile journey, or a 1700-mile journey and a 300-mile journey?

She's hauling plastic baby swings to two Toys R Us distribution centers, if that makes a difference.

Are you sure she wants to pull "Wiggle Wagons"? Can't back 'em up. Con gears can be a pain in the buttox. But they do turn corners better.

A set of "PUPS" are a lot of fun on ice. It's really neat when you can look in your rear view mirror and read who you work for! Now, let's adjust those brakes.

You said,

"A driver picks up two trailers from the same place. One is being delivered to Salt Lake City and the other, to Boise.

If this IS possible, does the driver get paid full mileage for both trailers, or full mileage for the first and the difference for the second?"

It is possible. Most likely the driver would be paid for the entire distance (book miles of course...) on the route from the point of origin, to the first drop and on to the final drop. The number of trailers shouldn't impact on the pay other than the driver pulling doubles/triples might usually be paid a little more for pulling "wiggle wagons."

Although it is possible, I'm wondering how realistic that scenario is. Multiple trailers are usually used for linehaul LTL (less-than-truckload) operations and go terminal to terminal between cities. The loads are broken down and delivered from the terminals, rather than the whole rig going directly to the customer. A local driver would most likely deliver the Salt Lake drop from the terminal and likewise in Boise.

"In other words, would the driver get paid for a 1700-mile journey AND a 2000-mile journey, or a 1700-mile journey and a 300-mile journey?"

The driver would most likely get paid for a 2000 mile trip and a little extra pay (stop pay, drop pay) for the each drop along the way. Pay is based on how far drivers, not the trucks, go.

The only exception to this is if the driver is hauling "baby swings." There are a whole different set of rules for those...

Just kidding about the swings, that wouldn't make much difference. More than likely that load of swings would be loaded in a 53' dry van, rather than a set of doubles. It would be cheaper than way.

want to make it a LTL (less than truckload) load or a multi stop load. She could have two deliveries on one trailer depending on what the product being shipped is. It is not uncommon for companies to do this and would probably be an easier scenerio to write believably.

So it would be more realistic to have her pick up one trailer with two separate loads on it, then drop half in Salt Lake City and the other half in Boise, is that it? She'd get paid for one long trip and one short one.

Um, I can't find "dry van" in my trucker's glossary. What's that? Is it that big boxy thing that kind of looks like a refer but isn't?

Thanks for clearing this up. Gotta go rewrite.

You said,

"So it would be more realistic to have her pick up one trailer with two separate loads on it, then drop half in Salt Lake City and the other half in Boise, is that it?"

Yes.

"She'd get paid for one long trip and one short one."

It is all *one trip* originating from the moment/point of dispatch, then some deadhead to the *shipper*, then the loaded portion of the trip and the trip ends at the final drop with an empty trailer. That is *one* trip regardless of the number of stops/drops.

"Um, I can't find "dry van" in my trucker's glossary. What's that?

Yep, the big boxy thingy that looks like a reefer minus the reefer unit, fuel tank beneath and some serious insulation. This is your normal freight van.

"Is it that big boxy thing that kind of looks like a refer but isn't?"

Yep, and they are quiet when they're parked next to you. =0)

I think Icantina about summed it up in both his replies. I don't know why I am even responding unless it's out of jealousy that I didn't get to make the reply!

Actually it would be one trip with what we call a "stop-off" in transit. Usually book miles from POE (Point of Origin) to final destination with an accessorial charge for making the stop-off.

A dry van is just a plain old box trailer for hauling non-perishable goods. However that does not make a reefer a "wet van".

If you need to know the difference between a flatbed, dropdeck, stepdeck, double drop, RGN, detach trailer, strech trailer, multi-axle, stinger, jeep, etc. be sure and let me know...and don't you other guys answer until I get a chance first!

Big Joe: Mr.Layover...the bottom line since '99.

So, she pickes up a load of baby swings in Akron, drives to Salt Lake City for a stop-off, then continues on to Boise. She gets paid from Akron to Boise. Is that right?

Big Joe, is there a website somewhere that describes all those different types of trailers? What they look like, what their functions are?

Subject: I think I finally got it
Username: ladywordsmith4
IP Address: 172.136.122.130
Time/Date: 11:18:31 AM 5/20/03
Message:


So, she pickes up a load of baby swings in Akron, drives to Salt Lake City for a stop-off, then continues on to Boise. She gets paid from Akron to Boise. Is that right?

Answer: Yes

Big Joe, is there a website somewhere that describes all those different types of trailers? What they look like, what their functions are?

Answer:I will let my secretary, Angelface, do a web search for you.

In the meantime if you need clarification you may ask here or email me.

Don't worry...usually I am very nasty & grouchy but I will be glad to help in your case.

Big Joe: Mr.Layover...the bottom line since '99.