Straight line backing

Are you driving an Automatic Trans. Truck ?

 

I'm currently in school as well, and I'll be graduating in a week. When we started our straight-line backing we were taught to hold the wheel at 12 o'clock and steer towards the mirror that the trailer was drifting into. However, I would always find myself over-correcting when I held the wheel at 12 o'clock. So, for me, I like to hold the wheel at 9 and 3 and use the 'steer towards the mirror' technique. For some reason I tend to move the wheel less when I hold the wheel this way, and I'm not finding myself over-steering quite so much.

The main thing is find what works for YOU. Everyone sees things a little differently, so take as much time as you can now to hone your skills for test day. Good luck.

 

Your "truest" straight line is the view in the right side mirror,dont let the left side fool you.

 

you sure about that? But what do I know, you've been driving for 32 years

I'm pretty sure the left side view is the true view. Right side is distorted. Instructors took pics and showed us. Trailer was straight, but the right side looks crooked as hell.


And for tips the wheel at 12 works, but I'm sure you are staring at the trailer in the mirror for too long. make your corrections and bring the wheel back to center. If you correct and hold for too long then you've overcorrected and then you start snaking all the way back.

Also make sure you start the back with the trailer/truck straight or it makes you work twice as hard

 

Instructors ?
Try it and see if I'm wrong,I wont charge you either way.
Instructor ever back an RGN in a square hole ?

Run your rig down the big road and pinch up on the fog line,hold your line and look in both mirrors
Your right side is squared up with the line,the view from the left isnt as certain now is it ?

Dont need Myth Busters to prove this one out . . . . .

 

Which has what to do with forward or back wards ?
Whether there is a shift tower in the floor or buttons on the dash makes no difference in whether one turns the wheel and waits for the trailer to respond or not.
Turning the wheel "without" waiting for the "reaction" = over steering!

The front follows the back,EXACTLY like the back follows the front.

Simple basics . . . . .

 

lol, and if your left side is pinched up to a solid line while the right side is a couple feet from one?

 

I was taught in school to keep your elbows tight to your side and just use your wrist to move the wheel. It will help you to not over correct as you can't move the wheel very fast.

 

As a new driver and recent graduate of a driving school, all I can say is do not be too hard on yourself. It was your first day after all. We do not want to compound the "butterflies" of learning new skills with self inflicted anxiety.

Take your time, learn from your instructor and all of the very experienced and skilled souls here.

Good luck and go easy on yourself.

 

SMALL Movements is the biggest thing to remember everyone wants to turn a full circle when you only need a little