I had an epiphany about backing up a tractor-trailer on a city street

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by expedite_it, Mar 21, 2025.

  1. Speedy356

    Speedy356 Medium Load Member

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    Which tandem wheels, the ones on the left or the ones on the right and which wheel would hit him first?
     
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  3. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    It could be either one.
     
  4. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    In CDL school, with my road trainer, and within 3 weeks of being on my own.
     
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  5. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    me thinks it's a truck simulator game.
     
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  6. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I don't get it. How can you have the epiphany three times? If you learned it in CDL school, then that should be your only epiphany moment. What happened? Did you learn it in CDL school and then get amnesia and re-learn it with your road trainer, and then get amnesia again and re-learn it a third times within 3 weeks of being on your own?

    I learned it within about 570 weeks of being on my own. LOL
     
  7. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    Screenshot_20250323_135213_Maps.jpg

    Google never lies!
     
  8. LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Road Train Member

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    here’s the thing him making a left or right isn’t the issue. You have the right of way. That’s how the police will see it, that’s how insurance sees it if there is a crash. That easement he’s on is regulated and the signs are required by the city.

    now you backing up makes you responsible for any issues.

    that is why driver on Main Street always has right of way if he followed all rules and laws. If you did and you needed to make the turn after making sure it’s clear but he’s parked there and you crash into him then responsibility is on you. But if you stopped where you needed to and didn’t move until it’s clear than the responsibility is on him to complete the turn. This means you’re yielding your right of way to him.

    now if he gets out starts demanding you back up so he can make his turn. Then you have every right to school him or tell him you can spot for him as he backs up or he can spot for you.

    either way this allows two wrongs to make it right. Defensive driving is key and always make provisions for stupid in your calculations.

    last note: I highly doubt he raced down that driveway so fast you didn’t see him to calculate. So either you saw him coming and continued to set up for your turn, meaning you didn’t calculate before coming to a full stop which would mean you need more training or he did in fact pop out of no where.
     
  9. Star Rider

    Star Rider Road Train Member

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    9 pages in and no mention of our hero in the yellow car. If they had been around none of this would have happened!


    upload_2025-3-23_15-7-20.jpeg
     
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  10. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    I could respond to all of your points, but it would be redundant. I've already made the same points many times on this thread.

    I have always admitted on this thread that I made a mistake when i backed up.
     
  11. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    Depends on the angle of the road and the slope of the tandems and whether or not the doors will close. Let me refer to my expedited coloring book.

    Drawing A.jpg Drawing B.jpg
     
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