Help with Setting up trailer!

To make sure you are straight, make sure the trailer is even in both mirrors. That will insure the tractor and trailer are straight, but then you have to make sure the combo is square to the dock. Sometimes, or more than some times, it is best visualized by Getting Out And Looking. Walk to the back of the trailer, and walk back to the cab. Go to the other side and see how it looks.

Mikeeee

 

Most new drivers have problems with the set up and over-correcting. It's not a perfect world and you might have to back from a 90. Just remember pull ups are free and even the most experienced driver uses them.

Other than what's been said, try using visual aides. Expansion cracks in the concrete are usually perpendicular to a building. Look for old tire marks coming out and follow them in. When I first started and a dock with nothing I would get out and place a rock as a visual aide to get lined up square. When angle backing you need half of the angle to get back under the trailer. If you over do it, use a pull up to help straighten out. Always get out and look when in doubt.

Just think of that trailer is a wheel barrow and the tractor is you pushing it. Backing in should be just the opposite of pulling out. You ain't all over the place pulling out. Ideally it should be the same backing. So visualize pulling out and try to reverse that.

 

Get used to what your trailer looks like in the mirrors while going down the road. The angle is different in each mirror, as you are about to bump the trailer double check both mirrors. If the trailer doesnt look the same as it does going down the road, try again.

 

This is good advice!!.

Remember this, repeat, REMEMBER THIS...Always know where your trailer tandems are. (Yeah I know, behind you...) Seriously though. Know where they are in relation to you behind the wheel. A tank trailer with the tandems all the way in the back will need more room to maneuver than a trailer with the tandems pulled up. Most times you will need to set yourself up to back into a place. Meaning having your trailer tandems in the right place to then back yourself in. Or even going forward to be able to turn into a tight spot. I remember a certain gas station when I hauled gasoline. It was on a 5 corner type of intersection. You could not get in the station if you were going straight and then turned right into the driveway. You could not get the trailer wheels far enough right. You had to come in the other way, hook a hard almost U turn right (5 corner intersection) so your trailer wheels stayed about a foot off the curb and then into the driveway. Your trailer wheels were then far enough right to get fully off the street.

 

I have this exact problem. Although I did graduate from trucking school, on the state final, I had to set my trailer up myself for the offset. I messed up in the beginning, I asked if I could start over before I get too deep and I got the go ahead, I just made sure I looped all the way around and once the trailer is in a straight line not to make too many turns. I still will need more practice with this but just remember, in the real world, you won't get the luxury just to go straight. Some alley docks will require some not so straight places. I saw a video of a guy had to go across a street backwards and had to alley dock off of that and there was cars in the drive on both sides so he had a challenge!

As far as your instructor, you paid money for the school, go to him and ask him how you can correct your own mistake, if they don't then go to the office and talk to somebody. Some instructors are impatient. You are their customer and they have to follow through! Keep trying and never give up!