Any advice on backing?

Don't hit that flatbedder's show Pete with the condo when your backing into the last hole in the t/s at 2am.

 

At most docks the shipper/receiver prefer that the driver slide the tandems to the rear of the trailer...before dockin. As the post made earlier, watching the tandems is a good idea, you should be aware of 360 degrees or the the six sides of the combo. left,right, front, back, top and bottom. If your truck touches anything other than the rubber meeting the pavement...it's an accident according to the guys who run the trucking industry. As the other poster said watching just the tandems could leave the trailer ####eyed unless the tandems are fully slide to the back.

The best advise for new guys on the road solo is to GOAL. pull ups are free...but can cause a reefer to lose cooling. Flat beds and some Vans may have spread axles...

Use those mirrors...do not open your door and stand on the rail like a super trucker while the vehicle is moving. That can have very serious consequences.

When your having a tough time late at night after driving 500 miles forget about those guys sitting in the truck laughing at the trainee on the CB....Waiting for you to hit something so they can feel like their better than you...they are just too inconsiderate to get out and spot you. Don't ever feel rushed or have to much pride to ask for help...your safety record is vital in this day and age.

 

Don't turn the wheel too much. Kills students every time. (figuratively)

 

I agree i start stressing when he starts yelling and one of the other students does as well. the 3rd student noticed it as well. From the way our "teacher" has been talking he has had his cdl since 99 never drove otr and has taught at 3 schools we have until oct 5th to get it all down perfect before graduation wish me luck and thank you everyone[/QUOTE]

Has he driven local, regional or not at all? I feel for ya'... The instructors in the CDL "school" I went to, had 20 and 30 yrs OTR experience, and a good part of that was as instructors for some larger companies.

 

One of my favorite phrases....my trainer used it and I also used it when I trained:

"Head on a swivel....head on a swivel."

I still have to remind myself about that, especially when I'm backing while tired. I'll tend to focus on one thing while backing, and I find that I've backed in crooked. By constantly looking left and right and left and right, I end up much straighter.

Hence, "head on a swivel".

 

Always pay attention to the rear tandem tires on the drivers side of the trailer. Watch how the rear tandem tire on the drivers side is tracking based upon your steering. This makes for a good reference as to how you should be turning your steering wheel. Concerning backing into tight places, if your in question of space, always get out and look, it doesn't matter how many times you have to do this, better to be safe than to back into something and cause damage. Something else, don't expect much out of yourself right now, your just getting started, keep calm, be patient and practice, you'll get it, all good things come in time. Even still for me at times after several yrs of driving there are times i have off days backing up, so don't feel bad, we all have them days. Have a good day at school.

 

If your instructor doesn't know how to shift properly, how is he supposed to teach you??? I was very lucky in that all of my instructors (probably all dead by now God rest their souls) had been driving over twenty years and knew what they were doing. If you are not happy with this instructor you need to speak to his boss. Remember, you are PAYING this mans salary and it is YOUR responsibility to ensure you get the proper training. If you don't get any satisfaction from this guy's boss, demand a refund...that will get their attention. As for the straight line backing, well, like others on here have said, it's all about practice. Everyone develops a technique that works for them eventually. My only suggestion is to stop the minute you realize that the trailer is not going where you want it to go. Once stopped, you can either G.O.A.L. or check all mirrors and decide on the best course of action. Don't compound the problem by trying to make an in-experienced decision while the truck is in motion. There is no trophy for getting to the finish line first, but there is a reward for getting to the finish line safely.