Backing, how long did it take you to catch on?

When you've mastered backing a regular trailer, hook to a hay wagon and try that. I'm the only one on the farm that will even attempt it, and can usually get it where I need it without too much trouble. The farm hand is decent backing regular trailers, but still calls me out there when it's time to put them up for the year...kind of a tricky hole they go into in the barn, and he won't even back them up in a straight line.

 

Ok, you've heard the words. Goal- get out and look! Take your time! The setup is the key, if you're not setup right, pull out and GET setup right. Everyone has a bad/weird day where everything you see is sigogglin, don't let the so called vets get under your skin. My regular turn takes me to a terminal where every dock is a 90 degree jack. Trust me, it will come. Any of you hands remember party row at Ontario in LA in the 80s, or Houston? How many times did I pull in there in the middle of the night beat to ####, and then have to jack in between the large cars in the dark. Ah, trucking can be so much fun when you're tired!!!

 

Oh yeah, figured I would mention my driving school......ITFS....in the
####ing seat.

 

Yeah he has a CDL so he gets it. I occassionally get people that dont have CDLs making comments on my backing and saying what I should be doing. Wait until some nurse is standing outside looking at you backing with a look of disapproval. You probably know that look, i see it quite often... Its a mix of confusion, disapproval, and shock. I'd like to see you do better, lady

 

When I was a kid we backed hay wagons, and 4 wheeled grain wagons......always used a lot of pull ups to get straightened out. My dad had 3 of the little red ford tractors and a newer blue one.

Two wheeled trailers like manure spreaders were very easy to back up to the side door of the barn. I think that is the reason I am good at backing, having had 5 years practice with a ford tractor and various trailers and implements.

 

As most will explain we all learn at different speeds you'll have noticed this at school some are great at Maths and Science and others really struggle backing and reversing are just the same you just keep practicing even great sporting stars still continue to practice and be coached so why not truck drivers? I'm still learning even though i've been driving for years.

 

My Achilles heel is the 90 degree. I hardly ever see them so don't get much practice. I do ok with room. I have a bad disk in my neck, so it limits my range of motion. Have to rely a lot on mirrors, which makes the 90 harder.

 

The neck thing makes it hard, for sure. Best way I can describe it is: setup so when you start you jack you are away from the line with rear of trailer, trailer wheels will be your guide, as you cut and follow you use them to line up. Just bear in mind blind trailer corner is worst of it, setup so you clear front of blindsided as you enter line. I don't know, did that sound right guys?? It takes practice, and trust yourself.

 

I tend to overcut it every time. I'll try your tip.

 

OK...the term "set-up" has been use about a bazillion times so far in this thread. What is it and how do you do it?