BackingHelp

Must spots have lines painted just put you trailer wheels in line with them keep it straight good to go or back I should say. However, like most others said look and make sure when in doubt.

 

Best tip for new drivers - set up is key. If you don't have a good set up you wind up over correcting which requires more space than you normally have. Watch the better drivers back in tight spots and what they do different than the average guy.

when backing up aim your trailer wheels where they need to go and not the back of the trailer. When you back to a door with no painted lines on the ground, new drivers tend to stare at the door as the trailer is backing to it. This cause you to be off by a few feet when you start cutting it in. If you make an imaginary line on the ground and aim your tires there you will be in better shape on your pull up.

 

Good feeling to finally get training over with isn't it?Backing comes with pactice.With every load you pick up and deliver you'll have a different back.Could be a straight line and the place you unload could be a 45degreee back.The more you back the better you become.It'll take a couple months before you start to feel comfortable.In the meantime don't be shy about asking other drivers for help.They've been where you're at,most drivers will be more then happy giving you tips and advice.

 

Go to you local farm supply store and get a steering wheel spinner. They make backing into a dock a breeze.

As you have been told, row the window down and stick your head out. Watch your tandems. Drive them. They guide your trailer. You are in control. Once you have the tandems lined up swing the drives in line with the tandems and you are now straight. It is easier to do then explain.

As to the wheel spinner. I like mine on top as I like to look backwards. If you use the mirrors more place it on the bottom.

You should also be aware that follow drivers love to help someone back. If you find yourself in a situation that is difficult, ask for help.

 

I use one of those and I've always called that a "suicide knob". LoL ---Don't know where that term came from but I didn't invent it !

 

Another tip - roll down both windows before you back into a space. If somethings back there or something shows up that wasn't originally back there to begin with, you want to increase your ability to hear and if you hear an air horn, STOP IMMEDIATELY, and GOAL.

Don't forget to make sure you also spot check your nose clearance to the front and front right while you back as well.

 

As usual lots of good info. Here's what I will add from a previous post. Don't let other truckers ridicule and belittlement bother you. Remember EVERYONE of them didn't start out as a top hand. Usually a guy that makes fun of a rookie isn't that good of a driver. Professional s know it takes time to be a good driver. Do your best and learn from your mistakes. I tap my horn and turn on 4 ways.

 

I'm going to make a wild guess and say that maybe your problem is that by the time you get the truck jackknifed to pivot around the trailer tandems they are out of position, meaning that you either overshot or undershot your pivot "mark"? In other words you are having an issue with figuring out WHEN to make the jackknife?

If so, then here's a little pointer that will make life a whole lot easier for you:

I know that in some Youtube instruction videos that go through an A-B-C approach to teaching backing you are pretty well set up by the time you've cranked into that full jackknife, and then after you get the trailer parallel to the slot you "jog to follow" (ie. you make short moves forward and back, turning the wheel each time in order to move the tractor in a straight line with the trailer). This is all easy peasy if you have lots of room to work with, but not all yards or docking situations have room.

In addition to the "jog to follow" concept (moving the tractor into a straight line with the trailer) there is also a "jog to jack" concept. For example, let's say you have a narrow area to to accomplish the jackknife so you can't do the classic A-B-C setup. Pull forward more than you would normally do and work the trailer tandems back to the spot where you want to pivot, stop, then "jog to jack". Make those small forward and back moves in order to bring your tractor into a 90º angle with the trailer without moving the trailer tandems very much. Now you are ready to go ahead and swing that trailer around until it is just past parallel to the slot. Now you can start to "jog to follow", but make that first pull up a little bit longer to bring the trailer forward to parallel so you can start the first backup to "wiggle" the trailer into position as you "jog to follow" with the trailer in front.

The "jog to jack" concept is an important tool in your toolbox.

 

Just put it in Cruise Control and Aim the Trailer..lol Just Kidding....

Like a lot of these Drivers Said... PRACTICE! Being new this is a normal thing for everyone. Takes time to get good at it. And Remember there is nobody perfect every time at backing. Some days your good, other days your off.... But Practice and it will become Second nature. Use GOAL (Get out and Look).

Oh yeah, and don't force it in.. that means you hit something....lol

Good Luck and Drive Safe!

 

Another good tip is don't get in the habit of nosing in because you can't back up. I think a lot of drivers forget after nosing in that they have to back out in the morning. I know some guys do it to protect theirs hoods but I have seen alot of guys do it then they can't get out without help.