-------TRAILER WITH EXTENDIBLE DOLLY------

Step out of the past . . . . . . . . . .AND INTO THE FUTURE!

Introducing a new trailer with a permanently attached dolly that is positioned under the trailer as a two axle group and is slid out behind the unit when needed to pull a second trailer.

Patent #5,860,668

HISTORY OF THE INVENTION.

Trailers similar to this invention have been in use for some time in Canada and the Pacific Northwest. In Canada a major freight carrier used a 28' trailer with two axles that would slide back behind the trailer to pull a second trailer. The rear axle of this group became the dolly. This dolly is attached with two points to prevent the dolly from swinging sideways but allowed it to move up and down.

The drivers that pulled these trailers from Vancouver to Anchorage on the Alaska Highway, were very pleased with the stability of the units. With the dolly held straight there was no whiplash effect with the trailers. Although the units proved to be very stable, there were some drawbacks to them.

1. Trailers were very heavy. The sliding mechanism was cumbersome and built strong, as the front axle was halfway out from under the trailer when extended.
   
   
2. Axles were a constant six feet apart, losing the 20,000lb weight limit per axle as less than eight feet apart constituts a dual axle. This also caused a lot of tire scrub when turning.
   
   
3. Floor height above ground was too high for standard loading docks, as the extra fifth wheel was positioned below the floor frames. This also reduced the cubic foot capacity of the trailer.

* * * THIS NEW TRAILER SOLVES ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS * * *

1. Our new trailer has a much improved sliding mechanism, with the front axle staying under the trailer, thus needing less bulk and strength.
   
   
2. The axles telescope when extended causing the four foot span between axles when retracted to become eight and a half feet when extended, thereby retaining the single axle weight limit. This also accounts for less scrub when retracted and turning as a dual axle.
   
   
3. The fifth wheel is tucked under the floor when retracted, using the floor space to reduce the overall height of the floor from the ground. This retains both the floor height for loading docks and the cubic foot capacity of the trailer.
   
   
4. When retracted, the extra fifth wheel on the dolly helps to carry the trailer, thus requiring less bulk in the frame, which translates to a lighter unit.
   
   
5. The sliding axles can also be used with a long trailer and a three axle group, with the front axle being stationary and the rear two axles telescoping to a point that all three axles are eight and a half feet apart, with the third axle becoming the dolly.

ADVANTAGES: (click on advantage to view details)(use the back button to return)

1. Driver injuries reduced to ZERO.	2. Multiple units can be backed up.	3. Triples would be far more stable.	4. No need for pintle hooks or safety chains.
5. Two sets of gladhands would be eliminated.	6. Electrical cords would be much improved.	7. Braking is safer in slippery conditions.	8. Eliminates problems with dolly distribution.
9. Stability of empties in the wind.	10. Hostling damage would be minimized.	11. Backing up doubles in truck stops.	12. No hookups needed at rear of tractor.
13. Parking space for dollies in terminals.	14. License and registration not needed.	15. Shop time and parking space is reduced.	16. The sliding mechanism can be retrofitted.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DOUBLES

ADVANTAGES FOR ROCKY MOUNTAIN DOUBLES (click on advantage to view details)

1. Driver injuries reduced to ZERO.	2. Multiple units can be backed up.	3. Units would be far more stable.	4. No need for pintle hooks or safety chains.
5. Front Axle is stationary.	6. When retracted trailer has three axles.	7. Both rear axles slide rearward.	8. Easy hookup.
9. Large weight capacity.	10. Seventy six feet of cargo space.	11. Braking is safer in slippery conditions.	12. The sliding mechanism can be retrofitted.

A-TRAINS, B-TRAINS & C-TRAINS