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How to get use to a trailer behind your truck while driving

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Dec 10, 2017 #1
    C.S.T

    C.S.T Light Load Member

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    My instructor took me driving for one hour and every minute he tell me to watch my trailer.
     
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    #1
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  3. Dec 10, 2017 #2
    dptrucker

    dptrucker Road Train Member

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    Keep your eyes moving. Should be looking at mirrors about every 6 seconds. Remember it' a 53 'Trailer behind you.
     
    dptrucker, Dec 10, 2017
    dptrucker, Dec 10, 2017
    #2
    Mr Ed, Dave_in_AZ and C.S.T Thank this.
  4. Dec 10, 2017 #3
    C.S.T

    C.S.T Light Load Member

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    I was scared to move my eyes from in front of me. It easy for me to panic
     
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    #3
  5. Dec 10, 2017 #4
    kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You need to get used to watching all of it. That vehicle coming up behind you can compromise your safety and so can something going on ahead of you. Get used to keeping your eyes moving, Look way ahead not just right in front of you and look in your mirrors like dptrucker said. The more you see the better equiped you are to be able to handle the unexpected. Keep trying. It will become 2nd nature to you,
     
    kemosabi49, Dec 10, 2017
    kemosabi49, Dec 10, 2017
    #4
    Dave_in_AZ and C.S.T Thank this.
  7. Dec 10, 2017 #5
    C.S.T

    C.S.T Light Load Member

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    Monday will be my third week in class and I probably go driving again. Jacksonville FL is hell. I never thought that people in cars do stupid stuff. Almost made me felt like they don't respect truck drivers no more
     
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    #5
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  8. Dec 10, 2017 #6
    Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    You're going to be bombarded with instruction. Watch your trailer. Scan your mirrors. Scan your instruments. Aim high in steering. Keep your eyes moving. lol

    Don't panic.

    Obviously where you are going is of the utmost importance, what's in front of you. You need to watch your trailer because it can drift, and always through turns, cause you can smash things, or cars will try and pass you.

    All of these eye movements are learned over time. Don't freak out. It's an acquired skill. It takes years to really be able to do it right. Because your brain adapts to processing the information.

    It's kinda like learning an instrument or a martial art. You want to get to the spinning jump kick, but let's learn to jump, spin, kick, then in time you put it all together with muscle and brain memory. It's the same for any skill.

    Someday you will be able to scan, shift, corner like a pro. There's no time limit. Smooth is fast, remember that.
     
    Dave_in_AZ, Dec 10, 2017
    Dave_in_AZ, Dec 10, 2017
    #6
    ladr, SingingWolf, bottomdumpin and 1 other person Thank this.
  9. Dec 10, 2017 #7
    C.S.T

    C.S.T Light Load Member

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    My instructor give me so many orders. You knew what I went though last Friday. He gave me so many order I forgot what gear I in lol. Good thing is my instructor is a old school trucker.
     
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    #7
  10. Dec 10, 2017 #8
    Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Smooth is fast. It's a lot to absorb. But I guarantee in time you'll be able to glance at your mirrors and have a perfect picture of what's in them. That's because your brain has gotten used to this data input. Right now it's going WTF was that? Same with shifting & backing. It's just a matter of getting used to processing the data.

    And, don't ever, ever, ever care what anybody else thinks. Just learn to do your thing safely. Truck driving is all about basics and making good decisions.
     
    Dave_in_AZ, Dec 10, 2017
    Dave_in_AZ, Dec 10, 2017
    #8
    Broke Down 69, austinmike and C.S.T Thank this.
  11. Dec 10, 2017 #9
    C.S.T

    C.S.T Light Load Member

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    You right. I just have to take it one day at a time.
     
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
    C.S.T, Dec 10, 2017
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    ladr and Dave_in_AZ Thank this.
  12. Dec 10, 2017 #10
    cmrdev

    cmrdev Medium Load Member

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    Most truckers I see on the road have their nose in the phone looking at something. What mirrors
     
    cmrdev, Dec 10, 2017
    cmrdev, Dec 10, 2017
    #10
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