Having problems with backing

That video looks great.
Now... try to do that at night with not enough lighting in an auto shift and with trucks trying to move... and please don't get nervous, stress makes things more difficult.

 

Found the dock in this video pretty awful...



Reminds me of one I had to back into... only difference is that my dock was not off of a street... even so, it took me more than one hr to get in there without hitting anything... but I got there on a Sunday and took my time... Must say I never been a good backer....

 

Here is the most helpful tip I’ve ever received regarding backing… I hope I explain it ok, since it really is SO simple. I got confused when trying to remember which way to turn the steering wheel when backing… was told to do the reverse of what you would do if moving forward to steer the trailer while in reverse- which made me think too hard. Instead of “thinking”, try this: 1) shift to reverse, then put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, 2) now move that hand in the direction that you want the trailer to turn- usually to your left unless you are blind backing, which you should avoid when possible. Did you notice that by moving your hand left, you are steering the wheel right? 3) as the trailer begins to “bend” to the left into the spot, put your hand back on the bottom of the wheel and “correct” the current turn direction by moving your hand toward the other direction- in this (usual) case to the right- which will end the turn and straighten up the tractor and trailer. Most times, you will need to do a “pull forward” also… to correct the deep bend of the trailer into the spot. Just remember to make the front wheels positioned straight ahead before, or immediately as you begin moving forward. After moving forward (straight ahead) as far as you can, put your hand back onto the bottom of the wheel, put into reverse, and move your hand in the direction you want the back of your trailer to turn. Repeat the (straight) pull forward, then backing as many times as to need to get it done.

This is a lot of words to explain the simple concept of which way to turn the wheel to steer the direction of the trailer while in reverse… I often see new drivers (and even some seasoned ones) forget which way to turn the wheel when starting their backup. Forget about that… just put hand on bottom, the move it in the direction you want that trailer to move. Of course, the other rules of GOAL and awareness of where the front and back of your tractor is always apply. I hope this helps.

 

I still get nervous when I drive in somewhere and I see some busy, tiny little dock.

It wasn't long ago I had to put my trailer in a hole at a Walmart DC and I couldn't get it in. It was out in Columbus OH. It was one of those deals where you couldn't even fit between them, and I'm not a large man.

One thing I did a lot when I was new was over steer my tractor while backing. I was spooked about my blind side and I wanted to make sure I didn't hit anything, so I ended up trying to force the trailer too much. In my case there's always more room on my blind side than what I thought. I was just being worried.

A lot of new guys won't manage their space in front of the tractor while backing, and they won't have enough room to swing and line up with the trailer to finish pushing it in.

Unfortunately it's one of those things you just have to keep trying, and just deal with the anxiety. It gets easier.

At first I only paid attention to where my tandems were. But my backing improved a lot when I finally started also paying attention to my drives. Look at when your drives get close to lining up with the parking space line (reference point) then swing your tractor around to make your truck and trailer straight.

Go slow. It helps when you are new to stop the truck and then turn your wheel. Also go slow when you are setting up and also doing pull ups. Keep an eye on the hole and watch how your trailer behaves. Sometimes new guys will pull up and make it worse.

When I was at that Walmart DC, I got out and looked twice. The second time I got out, it saved me from hitting a trailer on my blind side because it got close, very close.

 

I wouldn't even try to get into that spot. It requires you to get within 2 - 3 inches of other trucks / trailers. And every other maneuver requires extreme precision . I would be attempting that for 30 minutes and probably give up

 

I remember feeling like that as well as also constantly worried about getting detoured and ending up on a dead end Street or something like that. If you feel you're backing really sucks look online for private truck driving lessons and pay for some lessons strictly in backing up.

 

Thats an extremely long and complicated way of saying 'turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of where you want the trailer to go'

 

I still oversteer the tractor lmao even after three years.
I've found it's easier to account for that then to fight the blind side when it's tight. (Still get out and look but i like having a way to judge the backswing without any guesswork)

I tend to have to pull up more then a lot of guys at my experience level, but im also a lot less stressed when doing it.

Don't care what other people think just go slow, and set up correctly. I may circle around two or three times to get into the right spot

 

My backing wasn't worth a fiddlers f### until around year 2. At year 5 I'll back that trailer up a gnats excrement orifice. Apparently this site prohibits the word All Sisters Sing as an offensive word. I digress...... You are a total rookie..... just get it backed in in safely. Youll be fine.

 

Just a thought.........















LETS GO BRANDON! Couldn't help myself