How hard is Offset backing?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Bama Roadrunner, Jul 30, 2016.

  1. Bama Roadrunner

    Bama Roadrunner Light Load Member

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    As the titles states how hard is offset backing? I'm in trucking school and we are going to do offset backing next week. I'm just wondering how hard is offset backing?
     
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  3. Pumpkin Oval Head

    Pumpkin Oval Head Road Train Member

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    Students have to practice to see how hard they find it. Some find it harder than others. I can't say it was hard for me, but I grew up on a farm and did a lot of wagon backing.

    I think it is easier than parallel parking.
     
  4. sherlock510

    sherlock510 Road Train Member

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    Dont even worry about offset backing. Just work on alley dock and backing up in a straight line.
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2016
  5. Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    What is it? I never could get backing by "formula" as school teaches it (which is probably why I'm not a van driver). I learned by doing, and through "feel". i.e. counter-steering when the trailer started going the other way.

    Now I back loaded B-trains like a straight trailer.
     
  6. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Good glad I'm not the only person never heard of offset backing,lol.
     
  7. Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    Now that I thought about it more, it might be "backing without a proper setup". He says he's in school, and they have fancy terms for simple things.
     
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  8. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I don't have a clue what offset backing is.But backing is backing You need to know and understand your trailer,the pivot point,turning radius,refference point.Once you understand all that almost all backing is easy, for me it was except blindside.
     
  9. Trofees

    Trofees Bobtail Member

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    Jul 30, 2016
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    I just finished school and got my CDL this week. Let me tell you that offset backing was hard to learn at first. You might get upset with yourself, but keep practicing because youll start to get a feel for it.

    Soon you will start practicing the alley dock. After you learn to do that, the offset backing will make you laugh. (It's truly easy)

    In case you are nervous, ill let you know that it took me 1 hour to back straight back between the cones my first time in the truck. Keep your head up. Youll get more and more confident with more seat time!
     
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  10. Trofees

    Trofees Bobtail Member

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    Ill explain what offset backing is. It's when you are parked in 1 parking lane, you pull straight forward and then back up into the parking lane beside the one you just left.
     
    Chewy352 and Bama Roadrunner Thank this.
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