Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe wrote:
"Steve Koerner" wrote in message
oups.com...
Russ,

Thank you for that input. Is this rule regarding brakes a national
standard of some sort or is this a rule that pertains to operation in
some partcular states? I wouldn't want to have to mess with my nice
surge brakes on the glider trailer unless I really have to.


What you do, is to go to the nearest truck stop - they have book that lists
all of the requirements (lengths, number of trailers, etc) for each state.
It may also be specific as to brakes as well - it won't hurt to ask.

Note: Have you ever tried to back a tandem trailer before?

It can be done, but probably not by you or me.

--
I've spent the last 35 years in the trucking industry, the first 20
pulling doubles in
the western states. First of all you probably don't want to eat that
truck stop food.
Second when you push on the brake pedal and your rear trailer becomes
quite
visable, as in trying to pass you because you don't have a good
breaking
balance on wet or icy roads. Or it is pushing you because the're not
adjusted
up tight enough it's very unnerving. All of the (big) trucks you see
out there have a
trailer hand valve so you can apply trailer only braking. More than
once I've
streightened out a bad situation with a little application of trailer
braking, where
as foot aplication would have caused a jack knife. I always avoided
backing
whenever possible when in doubt walk it out first before you're forced
to break your
set up and drive them out one at a time.
See California Motor Vehicle Ch.3 26301 through 26458 pay special
attention to
26458 c 4 for combinations. My take on this is if you have a surge
brake on these
unit(s) it's legal if your breakaway is funtional.