International backing

So my whole 4 year career in trucking, I've always been in a freightliner as a company driver. My new job put me in an international full sleeper. First time backing into a dock I felt like a rookie again if was so tough and frustrating. Is this normal? Tips?

 

I’ve been driving an International for the last five years without any issues. Mine has a 10 speed, though, and I’ve had to drive a loaner with an automatic transmission a few times and didn’t like it. Kinda jerky. Is that what you’re experiencing?

 

It's an automatic. When I was backing the angle just felt way off. The 5th wheel is all the c way back. Idk if I should try moving it. Never really experimented with that

 

Your 5th wheel should be set once and then forgotten about.
Set it where you can scale 34k on your drives and be good on your steers.

As far as backing, it’s a different truck so you just need to learn how it reacts..temporary learning curve. Next time you’re empty just do a little practicing in a TS. No one likes being that guy at the loading dock

 

Yeah, every make is different. My advice would be to take it to a parking area or drop lot and just practice until it starts feeling right.

 

"It was tough" doesn't tell anyone what was more difficult? Does the steering not turn as much/too much, does steering wheel turn easier/more effort, or is the transmission in reverse doing something different. Please explain. Each make of truck is a bit different than others. You were familiar with one make & now use another make, so a little difficulty is normal for a few days. Is that what you are talking about or is something in the new truck not working?

 

Internationals are by far the worst to back. Shut the hill assist off and go easy on the throttle. Ive found that when it starts to bounce off the dock uncontrollably, if you let it rest for a few seconds then continue backing, the transmission seems to calm down.

 

FWIW, for best stability and for weight distribution, the kingpin should sit just a bit forward of the mid-point between the 2 drive axles. How far depends on how much load your steers can take. No kingpin should ever sit behind the mid-point. Most 5th wheels cant even be slid any further than the mid-point.

 

In at least 3 different (Volvo, Freightliner, Peterbilt) trucks I drove the 5th wheel could slide as far to rear of the drive tandem mid-point as it could slide forward of the mid-point. I drove dry van loads at the mid-point or behind. It minimizes the slapback when hitting a pothole in the road. Slapback is like a slap to the back just after the up/down motion from hitting the pothole.

 

Mirrors on internationals are weird. The trailer being 'straight' looks like it's angled in both directions. Looks like this: \ / in the mirrors lol.

Sleeper jutting out on the side doesn't help much either.

Once you get to used to it, I find an International easier to back for some reason. Idk why, might be placebo.