Backing getting worse

Practice, practice, practice.

 

Jesus Murphy and Joseph all the space you have in North America and most of you guys couldn’t eye an Needle with thread , I’m amazed at the poor standard of driving out there the Amusement at the truckstop trying to watch these EDITED steering wheel Attendants trying to back in is a good laugh if you all had to drive a 40 foot trailer in ireland with are tiny roads you would be on the side of the road with soggy underpants .

 

Jesus Murphy and Joseph. lol

 

Lol, I did that once!..woke up the next morning on the ground.. I must have landed face down because I ended up with 3 broken ribs and a few chipped teeth.. had to move a Baby Grand into a home on Block Island a couple hours after waking up.

The year was 1986 and I haven’t touched Vodka since

I was working for Allied Van Lines moving furniture..

 

It's hard to tell a rookie form an "experienced" driver sometimes.

 

It would be the roofing foam loads out of Atlas in Camp Hill PA If weather was good, we just boogied on home, took a nap up there on it then tarped before the coming storm in the night. Sometimes the long days were brutal. I actually had a 83 sleeper Freightliner Cab over in those days but it as cooler up top with engine off.

 

Setting up for a 45 is easy. I know, easy for somebody like me that has a lot of experience doing it, but follow along...

1) set up by driving perpendicular to the spot you want to back in to. Be sure to have the truck 2 to 4 feet from the spot.

Just a note before step #2... you will need a reference point on the ground for both sides of the spot you're backing in to. Lines are great, but if you have to use a pair of gloves use that. So...

2) Look for the first reference to show up in the bottom of the spot mirror on the driver's side.

3) continue driving past the spot, ensure it's clear all the way through.

4) look for the 2nd reference point to show up in the bottom of the spot mirror on the driver's side.

5) stop. turn the steering wheel all the way to the right.

6) begin moving until the tractor is parallel with the spot you want to back in to.

7) stop. turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.

8) begin backing until the tractor is perpendicular to the spot you want to back in to.

9) stop. straighten the steer axle.

Now it's just a matter of following the trailer back into the spot, but the steps I listed will get you set up spot on every time.

 

Your not the only one. I'm 11 months in and my backing wasnt bad, but this time out, I cant seem to get the easiest ones. Its frustrating.

 

I was at a garage that was servicing trailers. Some of the dificulty lays in the trailers themselves. The garage told me that trailers are only aligned for traveling forward. So yes, backing with a trailer will be interesting. Especially if your driving with a mega carrier. As each trailer will have its own personality of sorts.

 

I found looking out the door at the trailer helps. It gives me better orientation backing. Then use the mirrors.

Just about everyone will admit. There are bad days. Have problems backing.
I find when I’m fatigued. Been running long, late. I try to avoid backing.