Iowa’s agriculture, manufacturing, and logistics sectors depend heavily on trucks for freight transportation. I-35, I-80, and I-380 all support double-trailer trucks. In addition to double-pup trailers (which are allowed nationwide), Iowa also allows Turnpike Double (two full-size trailers) and Rocky Mountain Double (a full-size trailer followed by a pup trailer) truck configurations on designated routes. (Triple trailers are not allowed in Iowa.)
Here are some examples: Cargill, ADM, and CHS Inc. use double grain trailers to move corn and soybeans from farms to processing plants. POET Bioprocessing and Valero Renewables use double tankers for ethanol shipments. John Deere and Vermeer Corporation transport agricultural and construction equipment on double flatbed trailers. Freight companies use Turnpike Doubles and Rocky Mountain Doubles to transport goods between Chicago, Omaha, and Des Moines. UPS and FedEx Ground use double pup trailers for regional package delivery.
If you want to pull doubles or triples, you must obtain a Double/Triple (T) endorsement on your Class A CDL. For this endorsement (assuming you are already qualified to drive combination vehicles), you must pass the official Double/Triple knowledge test (but no additional skills test). This test covers such topics as safe handling, air and electrical lines, coupling and uncoupling, rollovers, and trailer sway.