But there is a legal limit to the length of a tracker trailer. (I seem to remember). So regulations would need to be amended.
I can't imagine trying to dock a trailer with this installed.
Will it make jack knifes more frequent on slippery roads?
I'm not a former truck driver, but I think I have seen trucks with multiple trailers longer than the normal Truck/Trailer combo. If they had this installed, wouldn't it become a tractor with multiple trailers?
Also, what is your experience driving long haul in miles per refueling a diesel truck?
But there is a legal limit to the length of a tracker trailer. (I seem to remember). So regulations would need to be amended.
I can't imagine trying to dock a trailer with this installed.
Will it make jack knifes more frequent on slippery roads?
I'm not a former truck driver, but I think I have seen trucks with multiple trailers longer than the normal Truck/Trailer combo. If they had this installed, wouldn't it become a tractor with multiple trailers?
Also, what is your experience driving long haul in miles per refueling a diesel truck?
Not a commercial driver, only enough to be dangerous. There are a lot of things that would need a tweak.
First being the weight limits. I'm sure those batteries aren't light. It is already far to easy to fill a trailer with more product weight than is permitted on the road. Add the weight of the battery trailer?
Then you have the weight balance. Both the fifth wheel plate and the trailer tandems are moveable. This to balance the CG of the load. Adding this battery in the middle is going to add a challenge to making sure the right weight is on the steer tires, the tractor tires, the battery tires and the trailer tires.
In many states only 2 trailers are permitted but in some 3. There is a length limit of 53 feet for a single trailer. The doubles use shorter 28 foot trailers because many states have a maximum total length of 65 feet. It is a total mishmash between the various state and federal laws. Never mind that the roads simply can't fit a longer vehicle in and be able to make a turn to another street.
As to MPG I've heard 6 to 7 MPG for an average depending on load and terrain. Each of the saddle tanks can hold 150+ gallons. That gives a range of 1800+ miles or half way across the USA. Refer tanks 50 to 100 gallons to keep the food cold.
Not that the idea isn't interesting. Just that it may have too many limitations in practice to make economic sense. Maybe only last mile trucks?
I'm not a former truck driver, but I think I have seen trucks with multiple trailers longer than the normal Truck/Trailer combo. If they had this installed, wouldn't it become a tractor with multiple trailers?
Wonder if that would indeed qualify as "multiple trailers"? If so, that's a separate endorsement on the CDL, one the vast majority of drivers don't have. Given the extent to which existing access tends to be very tight for backing existing length rigs, and Gary's valid points, I really have a hard time seeing this getting much traction in the general industry.
Might be a good way to get some Gubbmint tax dollar grants for someone, though :)
There are routes where it is specifically legal to pull two 65' trailers with one tractor. One I have seen is the Kansas Turnpike.
The docking issue work around would involve multiple drop and hooks at the the delivery/live load points. Or yard tractors.
I don't remember my MPG but it was likely 5-7 at best. If you can get 7+ MPG on a truck/trailer combo that is scaling out at just below 80,000 pounds you are doing good.
Efficiency differences that move a fleet metric a 0.1 of a MPG save a lot of money.
A 250 mile range is nice but having a charge point at each end of that 250 mile route are likely what would make it very useful. That way the gadget could run to one end of the route. Get recharged and run to the other end. Basically the same pattern used in line hauling but a shorter route.
Tom M
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Intriguing.
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Congratulations Keith on having a "hypersonic" system. ;)
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Tom M
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WOO HOO!!!
Oh my, both BOINC and SETI
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Oh my, both BOINC and SETI are down. Haven't seen that in ages.
They're back
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They're back
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This is a neat idea.
But there is a legal limit to the length of a tracker trailer. (I seem to remember). So regulations would need to be amended.
I can't imagine trying to dock a trailer with this installed.
Will it make jack knifes more frequent on slippery roads?
A Proud member of the O.F.A. (Old Farts Association). Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.® (Garrison Keillor)
Tom M
)
I'm not a former truck driver, but I think I have seen trucks with multiple trailers longer than the normal Truck/Trailer combo. If they had this installed, wouldn't it become a tractor with multiple trailers?
Also, what is your experience driving long haul in miles per refueling a diesel truck?
Proud member of the Old Farts Association
GWGeorge007 wrote: Tom M
)
Not a commercial driver, only enough to be dangerous. There are a lot of things that would need a tweak.
First being the weight limits. I'm sure those batteries aren't light. It is already far to easy to fill a trailer with more product weight than is permitted on the road. Add the weight of the battery trailer?
Then you have the weight balance. Both the fifth wheel plate and the trailer tandems are moveable. This to balance the CG of the load. Adding this battery in the middle is going to add a challenge to making sure the right weight is on the steer tires, the tractor tires, the battery tires and the trailer tires.
In many states only 2 trailers are permitted but in some 3. There is a length limit of 53 feet for a single trailer. The doubles use shorter 28 foot trailers because many states have a maximum total length of 65 feet. It is a total mishmash between the various state and federal laws. Never mind that the roads simply can't fit a longer vehicle in and be able to make a turn to another street.
As to MPG I've heard 6 to 7 MPG for an average depending on load and terrain. Each of the saddle tanks can hold 150+ gallons. That gives a range of 1800+ miles or half way across the USA. Refer tanks 50 to 100 gallons to keep the food cold.
Not that the idea isn't interesting. Just that it may have too many limitations in practice to make economic sense. Maybe only last mile trucks?
GWGeorge007 wrote:I'm not a
)
Wonder if that would indeed qualify as "multiple trailers"? If so, that's a separate endorsement on the CDL, one the vast majority of drivers don't have. Given the extent to which existing access tends to be very tight for backing existing length rigs, and Gary's valid points, I really have a hard time seeing this getting much traction in the general industry.
Might be a good way to get some Gubbmint tax dollar grants for someone, though :)
George, There are routes
)
George,
There are routes where it is specifically legal to pull two 65' trailers with one tractor. One I have seen is the Kansas Turnpike.
The docking issue work around would involve multiple drop and hooks at the the delivery/live load points. Or yard tractors.
I don't remember my MPG but it was likely 5-7 at best. If you can get 7+ MPG on a truck/trailer combo that is scaling out at just below 80,000 pounds you are doing good.
Efficiency differences that move a fleet metric a 0.1 of a MPG save a lot of money.
A 250 mile range is nice but having a charge point at each end of that 250 mile route are likely what would make it very useful. That way the gadget could run to one end of the route. Get recharged and run to the other end. Basically the same pattern used in line hauling but a shorter route.
Tom M
A Proud member of the O.F.A. (Old Farts Association). Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.® (Garrison Keillor)