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CDL · Coupling and Uncoupling

Before coupling a converter dolly to the rear of the first trailer, you should:

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Visually align the dolly tongue with the pintle hook, ensure the safety latch will engage, and confirm the dolly brakes will hold when applied

  1. A Visually align the dolly tongue with the pintle hook, ensure the safety latch will engage, and confirm the dolly brakes will hold when applied
  2. B Coupling sequence does not matter
  3. C Just back into position
  4. D Connect electrical first

Why this is the answer

Coupling a converter dolly requires alignment of the dolly's tongue (draw bar) into the pintle hook on the rear of the lead trailer. The driver must visually align — sometimes with a spotter — to bring the tongue eye directly into the open pintle hook, lower the dolly's landing gear to the appropriate height, latch the pintle hook closed, secure the safety chain or hook latch, and verify the lock is fully engaged. The dolly's parking brake (if equipped) should be set during the coupling process. A misaligned coupling can cause the connection to fail under load, dropping the dolly and second trailer on the road.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 7.2.2 Dolly Coupling

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About this topic: Coupling and Uncoupling

Coupling and uncoupling doubles and triples adds the converter dolly and the pintle hook to the usual fifth-wheel procedure, and the order matters — heaviest trailer first, lightest last. These questions walk through the steps and the checks that confirm a secure connection. This is one of 16 Doubles and Triples questions on coupling and uncoupling, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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When inspecting the pintle hook on a converter dolly before coupling, what should you verify?

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