Backing in tight places

Hi P T POCKETS, there isn't any formula to backing, main thing is getting lined up to start. Getting lined up is the key, if you don't have that much room in front of you, you just have to make that truck work for you.

 

You can sometimes ask another driver to assist............watching or guiding.

 

Set up is everything. GOAL (Get Out And Look) is your friend. Do it as many times as you have to. Turn off the CB, or turn it down so you don't hear the BS that other drivers give you. YOU are the one in charge of your truck, and if they talk you into a situation where you do damage, it will be on YOUR shoulders, not theirs.

OTOH, if someone sees that you are having trouble and physically comes over to help you, use him. Just remember that YOU are responsible for anything you happen to hit.

Take it slow and easy, do as many pull ups as you have to get where you need to be. Honestly, it is much easier to back in between to trucks where you have all kinds of mirror checks, than it is to back into an open dock where there is nothing to help you judge where you are.

Remember, we all were rookies at one time. Your backing skills will be honed by experience. Don't let anybody rush you and make you nervous.

If you are one of these sensitive folks who feels that everybody is watching them, critiquing them, and laughing at them, you will need to grow a thicker skin. A lot of us, probably most of us, have at some time or another provided "entertainment" to a dock crew, when we just couldn't make it work right.

To recap:
Take your time
GOAL
Don't worry about what others are doing or thinking.

 

im a yard jockey/dockworker for an LTL company....most of the CRST and panther drivers cant back worth a sh**....hell some of the panther drivers cant even back a straight truck

 

What the others have said. I've been driving a big truck for over a 1 1/2 and I still get nervous in tight spaces and around other trucks when its tight. Im not sure you'll ever get over it, and if getting over its a good thing.

Some days you'll get it right in, other days you've been at it a while and you're sweating just a little and your calf decides it wants to stop working the clutch pedal

I hate docks with no lines, and then hope the guy next to you is in reasonably straight too. Also I found when you stop for the night, dont look for a pull through, just find any empty spot if possible near the back where you can just get some quick practice backing the truck in to a spot.

And always try to avoid blind side backing. I hate it, sometimes it takes a little more work to get swung around, or you have to drive all the way around the lot again.

If you ruin your setup, same deal. Screw what other people think, I've done it and had some idiot in the truck in front of me shaking his head like he's perfect, ignore him.

 

When you set up to back in, GOAL, then back slowly. If you are backing straight in use both mirrors, if not try to lean out far enough to watch the back of the trailer. If your not sure, get out and look again. Try not to overtsteer. If you do then you have a tendency to overcompensate by going too far the other way. You want to try to set up so the tractor follows the trailer around into the hole with a minimum of steering. Thats why set up is so important. If you set up properly then you'll back in with a minimum of pull ups. If you are in a place where there isn't a lot of room in the front set up becomes even more important. Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are some real Richard Noggins out there who won't help you but there are just as many good hands who will, if you ask.

 

I use to be a ####y yard dog years ago, then i drove 48 states and learned how to back big trucks with the grown ups.

 

Getting lined up to start is the formula. Why do you think they call it setting up for the back? Some places you don't have much real estate to work with, but the truck turns and pivots the same if you have 30 feet in front of you or 50. The only thing that helps a driver overcome a backing problem is to understand how the truck and trailer react and that takes practice.

 

Im in Iraq right now and we have alot of new guys this deployment and when we first got out here my job was to train these guys how to operate a 915 (daycab freightliner) I had them go in the motor pool and just back up constantly first doing straitline when they got the hang of that they did allydock backing through cones/sandbags and it was all done in an open area where they couldnt hit anything weve been here just over 3 months and these guys are getting pretty good at backing into thier spots. I honestly believe that backing up a truck is a perishable skill that needs to be practiced and honed constantly to remain proficient at it! so, practice practice practice find a big open area and practice!