My advice on backing

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by BobbyMisc65, Dec 12, 2013.

  1. BobbyMisc65

    BobbyMisc65 Light Load Member

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    Cedar City, Utah
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    I'm no expert on trucking in general (hope to get there someday soon), BUT I have a huge amount of experience with backing trailers thanks to the Army. Had a very, very frustrating experience one day... wayyyy back when, backing a very small utility trailer :biggrin_25523:. A drill instructor showed me a technique that forever saved my #####. Even when I was going through truck driving school; I myself trying to teach other students; I was shut down and told not to continue this technique - "You'll learn our way". But of course I did it my way and strangely I keep getting comments from my instructors and classmates; "man, your a natural at backing!"
    So here's my advice on backing a trailer...

    There are only two important things to remember when backing a trailer (not including the obvious; safety, obstructions, etc); and those are to always keep your focus on the end of the trailer (maybe commonsense, yes? no?) AND... the bottom of the steering wheel. The bottom... of the steering wheel. And that's the key.

    If you want the end of the trailer to go to the right, then move the bottom of the steering wheel toward the right. If you want the end of the trailer to go to the left, then move the bottom of the steering wheel toward the left. Follow the end of the trailer.

    That's it! Isn't it much easier to think to yourself... me want trailer go left then me steering wheel go left. I promise; this will become so natural in such a short time. Just remember to keep you hand and focus on the bottom of the steering wheel. End of trailer needs to go left, then bottom of steering wheel needs to go left and visa-versa. If you need to reposition your hand because you're turning hard or sharp then do so, just keep the bottom of the steering wheel your main focus, and of course the end of the trailer.
    Over compensating and adjusting to the length of the trailer are different things to learn, but will come with time and practice. My advice on that is GO SLOW and don't be afraid to pull forward and try it again.
    Hope this helps some of you out there having trouble backing. Happy holidays!
    Bobby M.
     
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  3. marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

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    That's how I learned to back when I was a kid backing utility trailers behind the lawn tractor. I however focus on the trailer tandems rather than the tail of the trailer. Just check the tail to make sure it's not swinging out far enough to get into the truck next to you and watch the tandems. The tandems are the pivot point not the tail so you want to plan your movements based on your pivot point. That's mostly for curved backing. If it's a straight back into a dock I line up the yellow marker on the edge of the dock door so I can see it through the crack between the door and the van body when the doors are open. If all else fails put it in R for race and floor it, that's where good stories come from anyway.
     
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  4. BobbyMisc65

    BobbyMisc65 Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the reply marine... Totally understand about the tandems and you're right... But (smile), I have to say in order to "just keep it simple - for newbies" If you focus on the end of the trailer; you'll stay out of trouble. Completely understand the tandems are the pivot point, and planning and all that. Like I said, learning positioning; overshooting; adjusting to the length of the trailer will come with time. I'm just saying, eye on the end of the trailer will always, always keep you away from danger and lead you where you want to go - the end of the trailer that is. Just my way of thinking I suppose.

    Thanks my friend, if you're a U.S. Marine thank you for your service; if you're a water going "marineman" then good fishing or good sailing to ya!
     
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  5. luvtotruck

    luvtotruck Road Train Member

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    Good advice here!! newbies listen(read) up here!
     
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  6. andre

    andre Medium Load Member

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    Jacksonville, FL
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    I don't even look at the steering wheel when I'm backing. I'm constantly looking at the mirrors.

    Here's a bit of advice I can give about backing up - don't do it if you can pull through, and, if you see that it's going wrong, don't try to save it by oversteering; just pull up, straighten out (or set up if you are 90 degreeing it), and do it again.

    EDIT: well, contantly looking in the mirrors and watching out for that passenger side fender. That's a trouble spot!
     
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  7. 379exhd

    379exhd Road Train Member

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    My advise follow your tandems, watch your mirrors, back slow, and GOAL when necessary. And carry around some fix a dent that right there is a life saver. "Follow your tandems they'll never lead you wrong" is a saying to live by pulling closed tandems. Spreads without a dump you're kinds SOL until you start your back you don't know which axle that trailer is going to pivot on until you start to jack it. Dump on the back till pivot on the front axle. Tri axles and quads you're in the situation with a spread you won't know until you start to jack the trailer around. There's a trick to backing spreads and tris and quads.

    The other advise I can give is don't get frustrated. Just take your time we've all had days we can't hit a spot don't let people get you frustrated shut your radio off, and concentrate on the spot. If you don't think you can get in the hole leave it for somebody that has less brains than you. Don't be the driver doing the 90 degree blind side jackknife into the last hole that takes out a mirror or a trailer.

    Steering from the bottom you turn the way you want the trailer to go. I've always used the top so its right to go left and left to go right. Put in the 2 other sets of eye balls they come in handy so you don't take out a fender. Open palm to turn the wheel. That's about all the advice I can give you.
     
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  8. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    my advice, go donate a summer of labor baling hay to the closest farmer. once you can back up a pair of hay wagons you can back up freaking anything.
     
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  9. BobbyMisc65

    BobbyMisc65 Light Load Member

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    May 10, 2013
    Cedar City, Utah
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    Who in the world looks at the steering wheel when backing? Focus on the steering wheel my friend; focus. :biggrin_25519: Well, acutally I can see where that may be confusing to some... umm, how about: be aware (always) that the direction you want the end of the trailer to go comes from the direction of the bottom of the steering wheel? Left/Left - Right/Right. Don't know how to explain it better. Just trying to get newbies to understand that it's really not that hard. Don't think too much; trailer left? wheel left... trailer right... wheel right.
     
  10. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    But hay wagons have front wheels that turn which complexes the thoughts. I started with tobacco wagons at age 10. My grandfather asked me if I knew how to drive the tractor.... SURE! Luckily he didn't see me when I ran into the barn my first time on one. :)
    I learned quickly after that.

    But there are two kinds of backers in the way the brain comprehends the reverse thoughts. For some the bottom of the wheel puts 2 and 2 together and the other way like andre which I am is you comprehend the reverse mirror image for movement and is more like pushing a wheel barrow. You don't even think about the steering wheel. Are you right brain or left brain?

    If one doesn't pick it up in the field I found the best way to teach problem students is with a toy tractor trailer. Seeing it from outside and above gives them a better picture to comprehend the basics.
     
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  11. BobbyMisc65

    BobbyMisc65 Light Load Member

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    Cedar City, Utah
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    A lot of good advice, but I can't help but comment again on the tandem idea. In my opinion - and remember, it's only my opinion Newbies should first "focus" their attention on the end of the trailer, not the tandems. One can use their perifial vision to keep an eye on the tandems; it's the end of the trailer that's going to bump into something.
     
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