Backing up without painted lines or markers?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Intothesunset, Sep 20, 2019.

  1. Intothesunset

    Intothesunset Road Train Member

    2,290
    4,874
    Apr 15, 2019
    truck
    0
    I always have problems with this, and backing up straight. Is there some trick to this or am I just a moron? It takes me 20 mins or more some times because without any markings it seems I favor the driver side . And will just keep repositioning until it's good.
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2019
    stayinback, TruckGal13 and FlaSwampRat Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

    6,366
    14,939
    May 10, 2015
    Detroit, MI
    0
    Just practice, practice and practice. Eventually it will get set up in your head
     
  4. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

    4,900
    17,790
    Jun 1, 2019
    Valrico FL
    0
    Completely normal. Everyone has different strong points and weakness when it comes to backing. I find it way easier to straight back in between trailers because I have something to judge where I'm at. I also back better blind side for some unknown stupid reason lol.
     
  5. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

    12,524
    25,684
    Sep 18, 2009
    Memphis, TN
    0
    Lol that's that day cab practice taking there, I see those LTL guys whipping it in effortlessly blind side
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2019
  6. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

    4,900
    17,790
    Jun 1, 2019
    Valrico FL
    0
    Makes sense. You figure most of the buildings/docks I hit face a road and I'm hitting them blindside constantly.
     
  7. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

    13,439
    34,299
    May 25, 2017
    under a shade tree
    0
    you should have done my last stop up in Portland, ME when there was snow on the ground. the building is not straight with the parking lot lines. i had to get out and get a snow shovel and clear away the lines, all the while it's snowing like mad, and i could not keep up.

    there were no trash containers nor other trailers to use as a guide.

    must have taken me like forever to not only get to the dock, but straight, so i just give up and do the best i can with like a 2 foot off kilter docking..screw it....
     
  8. MGE Dawn

    MGE Dawn Road Train Member

    1,074
    2,259
    May 19, 2019
    Vancouver, WA
    0
    Putting in as many miles in reverse as you do going forward will do that for you
     
  9. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

    10,913
    23,803
    Sep 10, 2010
    Flint, MI
    0
    And remember, you don't have to be perfect 90 degree angle in front of the door, you can be off a few degrees.

    Then there is the plant I deliver to. They just repainted the dock lines. About 1/2 way up it's straight, but the top 1/2 it curves over a good foot.
     
  10. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

    19,660
    130,552
    Apr 26, 2013
    Gettin' down westbound
    0
    Well the best thing is to go off wats behind u . say its a dirt lot , there will usually be some kind of dirt line then shrubs or watever so u can line up that dot bumper parrellel with that and be straight 70 percent of the time. Or u can take a mental picture of the whole scene around u . say its a dirt lot . dirt lots are usually square. So id say if u seem straight in the whole grand scheme of the lot u should be ok. Its always tough if ur hitting a dock with no line, or trying to back into anywhere to get unloaded with no lines or nothing to work off of. I think most of the time its just a guessing game!
     
    Intothesunset and FlaSwampRat Thank this.
  11. Intothesunset

    Intothesunset Road Train Member

    2,290
    4,874
    Apr 15, 2019
    truck
    0
    I've been practicing for near 10 years.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.