tandems and backing

**NewNashGuy** · 08.02.2012

There is a Hilti in Woodinville, WA where the only way to get the trailer lined up in the door is to slide tandems all the way back. I have already been all over the US and Canada and so far that is the only place where you HAVE to slide the tandems all the way back. I had my tandems all the way forward and to dodge the obstacle in front of me, I had to turn away from it which also turned my trailer too fast so when I backed into the door I was at an angle. When the tandems all the way back, I can turn my truck and the trailer still remains lined up with the door.

**25(2)+2** · 08.02.2012

Originally Posted by NewNashGuy

There is a Hilti in Woodinville, WA where the only want to get the trailer lined up in the door is to slide tandems all the way back. I have already been all over the US and Canada and so far that is the only place where you HAVE to slide the tandems all the way back. I had my tandems all the way forward and to dodge the obstacle in front of me, I had to turn away from it which also turned my trailer too fast so when I backed into the door I was at an angle. When the tandems all the way back, I can turn my truck and the trailer still remains lined up with the door.

There are several places I have been, the warehouse in Brooklyn New York, is better if you are way back, just have to wing it in there and with the tandems back, you aren't overhanging into the next door making that tight turn. Some places have a well the tandems run down into dropping the trailer down, I don't know how a spread would even work on the east side of that cross dock east of Ashland and south of Pershing in Chicago. You have to do what works for any given situation.

**CAXPT** · 08.02.2012

Originally Posted by HwyPrsnr

The man started this thread asking about sliding the tandems for backing, thats all. Never said anything about scaling it. But, someone else said sliding the tandems shortens the space and its basic math that a 70 ft combination vehicle will always take up 70 ft, no matter WHERE the tandems are set. Back in the 80s is when I was taught the basics of backing by a veteren Bull hauler. But, sorry, tandems dont slide on a bull wagon. All the respect in the world to those men and women, they dont have all these easy places to get in and out of either. So, still to this day, I still back in docks with tandems to the rear cause it is very much easier to get in the tight spaces. Like Gizmo said, His load his choice. But, the driver asked about the backing and as everyone else, I gave only my opinion. Dad always said, Walk thru life "closed minded" and you will miss some of the best things in life. Good nite. Ive ended my time with this thread...God Bless

This is what the original poster (OP) stated:

Originally Posted by duckdiver

i rarely slid my tandems all the way back unless the reciever/shipper required it, only then would i do it once i was pretty much backed in. i was talking to my buddy the other day who just started driving and he says he slides them all the way back each time he backs in and swears its easier because the trailer doesnt swing out, might have to try this since im always paranoid of the trailer swing hitting and hitting the trailer on my right, anyone else do this?

I know the areas you drive, I was doing it 30 years ago driving tankers, walk-offs, reefers, and dumps (no tandems adjustments possible), and vans. Are you referring to Wolverine Packing/Eastern Market area, or the produce center on Fort Street? As a note, those streets are big because it's an industrial area, with wide intersections and streets, and since most of the neighborhood is tore down/abandoned etc, you have only industrial traffic to deal with, predominantly. Compare that to Pennsylvania and Northeastern states with small 2 lane roads, small intersections, tight quarters, commuter traffic etc, and there is no comparison or debate at what point your tandems need to be set. If you don't swing the nose wide and button-hook, going forward, you will hit with the tail.

Detroit area, we just had a Hazmat situation where a "new" tanker driver didn't swing the nose far enough and ran up on a pump island guard and popped the valves on the tanker. I'm sure he was probably only used to tandems forward.

I think you may have misread what I was saying or maybe I didn't say it in a way that you could figure it out, and if that's the case, I apologize.

I wasn't trying to say that you can't back in with tandems back in all instances, only that doing so will mean the driver has to watch out for the front swing more than the back, because all he would be doing is changing the fulcrum position, changing the swinging end from the tail, to the nose.

Can you agree to that concept/explanation?

Instead, I was just advising him to learn to back with the tandems in all positions, as a professional would do to know the behavior characteristics of his vehicles.

It's not a right or wrong thing, and yes, it does have a mathematical/algebraic/geometric basis/justification to it.

Good Luck

**HwyPrsnr** · 08.02.2012

Gues I could say one last thing. TY Caxpt. Thats exactly why I was mentioning to him to try in a trailer lot. Only the individual can figure out what works best for them. Everyone is different and what works best for them to feel comfortable in backing, is a great thing. That way they dont worry about their backing skills when they have to back up in docks, in which is great for all. What is bad is those who think and say to the driver that it is stupid and keeps a driver from trying to find their comfort zone in backing. We all learned somewhere and somehow. Whats wrong with encouraging others to try something different. It might be the way they feel most comfortable, never know till they try. I also said the same about tandems forward benefitting when the truck is going into a forward motion. I only said its different when you are backing. The difference is the pivot point is now towrd the rear along with the only turning axle, but it still uses the same amount of space. In Detroit...Gratiot St. area. But, 15 years west coast produce hauling, yes Ive seen my fair share of "Bean Town". Including Chinatown on Bostons southside. I always preferred the Chelsea market. Got better rates and enjoyed the challenge of backing into some of those spaces. By the way, is King Arthurs still open outside the fence? Also the Dunkin Doughnuts outside the gate? Been since the mid 90s since last there. Anyway...Yes you are right on the concept Caxpt. But, as we know, that swing doesnt work for everyone. In which cause way too many of these accidents that could be avoided. Good nite and god bless. Be safe drivers.

**Giggles the Original** · 08.03.2012

Originally Posted by jbee

As do most shippers and receivers using forklifts or loading of heavy items as has already been said.

I understand what the OP is saying. But the crux of it is reduction in Backswing. You have to keep in mind if you're backing, it may be easier to get into a tight hole, whether a truck stop or warehouse, but the maneuver room needed for front clearance while you back will be increased.

Personally, once I scale a load, once they're set, they're set. If I'm empty and know I'm going to have to travel through or into some narrower city streets, I will take the time to slide em all the way forward, and just slide them back if the shipper wants them to the rear once I get to the destination.

obviously we dont leave them slid back....lol thats not legal in CA.....i was just stating that when we load produce you have to slide em back...

**CAXPT** · 08.03.2012

Originally Posted by HwyPrsnr

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(clipped for brevity)
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In Detroit...Gratiot St. area. But, 15 years west coast produce hauling, yes Ive seen my fair share of "Bean Town". Including Chinatown on Bostons southside. I always preferred the Chelsea market. Got better rates and enjoyed the challenge of backing into some of those spaces. By the way, is King Arthurs still open outside the fence? Also the Dunkin Doughnuts outside the gate? Been since the mid 90s since last there. Anyway...Yes you are right on the concept Caxpt. But, as we know, that swing doesnt work for everyone. In which cause way too many of these accidents that could be avoided. Good nite and god bless. Be safe drivers.

Been since the late 80's that I was doing p/u's and delivery's in the area, so I don't know if those are still there. Pretty much only passing through now on the main streets and interstate, or when the interstate get's closed down.

Sorry.

**-insert name-** · 08.03.2012

All this info is good. My only real problem is having to slide them at a shipper. "We need them back for loading."
Simple fix for this, back up with them where your good at it. Get lined up, pull up, slide, go back.

**neal79** · 08.04.2012

My personal preference is somewhere in the middle, 41-42' mark or so. Of course NYC or somewhere like that forward as much as I can. Just from kinda playing around with it most spots can be done all the way back or forward it only really changes where your potential trouble is. More tightly spaced docks all the way back is easier to me, not much room out front but enough tail swing room the all the way up is easier. Key is just being able to read the spot, account for all the variables and set yourself up for the way that works best for you.