How to back. General Advice for beginners.

**Wooly Rhino** · 07.22.2012

Get out and Look. Everyone says it but do it.

Your trailer will only go one way. The reason a trailer tracks left of right is because of the alignment of the wheels and the way the truck is loaded. If it goes to the right, it will always go to the right unless something changes.

Use your mirrors. If your hand is at the top of the wheel the trailer will run away from your hand. Point at it like it is a bad child. If you put your hand on the bottom of the wheel the trailer will follow your lead.

If you need help. Ask.

You can put lipstick on your mirrors making two up and down stripes. Put a black line on your trailer and it will work as sites to help line you up.

Avoid blind side backing if you can. Set up straight line backs as much as possible.

If you find yourself with traffic all around and you have to back up, call a cop. 911 and tell them "Non Emergency" and then explain what you need. They will come.

Relax backing is nothing to get stressed about. We all do it. If we couldn't we would work for Swift.

**mg1224** · 07.22.2012

Just as an addition here, if you set up for your back properly, it will make things much easier. Unfortunately, learning what the best set up is for each individual situation takes time to be able to judge. There is no magic secret that will make it 100% accurate every time. Don't be afraid to pull up, either. You don't lose points for it in the real world, and I'm sure everyone would rather you pull up than potentially hurt someone or damage property.

**transam pete** · 07.22.2012

the trailer tandem position also makes a big difference
on the overhang
remember the turning point is at the tandems

**transam pete** · 07.22.2012

of course starting in reverse is helpful

**kalh7** · 07.22.2012

Me personally, I hate straight backups. I'd much rather back the traditional way than straight backs. If I'm at some big warehouse with a bunch of doors open and they just tell me to back into a door I can't do it half the time. I just ask them for a door number and I can do that. It's just the way I am for some reason and I'm sure some others are the same way.

**DirtyBob** · 07.22.2012

Originally Posted by mg1224

Just as an addition here, if you set up for your back properly, it will make things much easier.

This right here. Set up helps immensely and I see many guys that don't ever bother to even do it. It's a lot easier than cranking the trailer until your fairings are almost ripped off, plus that puts tremendous strain on the tandems.

The OP made some good points too, other than the Swift comment, especially with the ask for help if you need it. Some guys will help you without asking, but I've never seen a driver that refused to help someone that asked.

**sdaniel** · 07.22.2012

Don't tell students to aways start in reverse! Had a trainee that did that at every stoplight! Luckly I broke that before he smashed any cars!

**wolfdragon79** · 07.23.2012

I'd say the best advise is G.O.A.L (Get Out And Look). Now with that said I personally think that about two weeks as a "shag/Yard jocky/mule" driver will help you understand the basics of backing a trailer. When I was working as yard driver I've seen several OTR's that couldn't back and had to do "pull-thrus". I see this as un-safe due to the fact that you can't see around the trailers that you are between as you doing your "pull-thru"

**Logan76** · 07.23.2012

If your pulling a spread axle, if its tight use the dump valve its there for a reason and don't jack that thing around so hard, its very hard on your trailers and tires, there's no shame in doing multiple pull ups and backs to get into a spot instead of jacking around really tight in a spread.

Get Out And Look

take your time and goodluck.

**Sequoia** · 07.24.2012

Don't blind side if you don't have to. Even if you think you have to, look around and see if there's a way to turn around so you can sight side back instead. There is no shame in backing into another open spot or an open door to get yourself turned around to set up for a sight side back.

Sequoia's dirty little secret tip: if you're told to just drop it in a general area, don't immediately go for the first spot you find. Check the whole area where you're supposed to drop it. Often times there's an easier spot to back into towards the back. Sadly if you have to drop it in a specific numbered spot, you're out of luck (like at a Home Depot DC) but say at a Walmart DC, check the entire zone for an easier spot before picking the first one you find.