Help backing flatbed

Do you have a switch on the dash that dumps air out of either axle on the spread?

 

See if there’s anything on you tube , specifically spread axles.

If you have a dump air switch, then it puts the pressure on the axle that is NOT dumped, so it will pivot on, and behave more like backing a single axle trailer.

If the front axle air is dumped, you ‘point’ the rear of the trailer in.

If the rear is dumped, it’ll be pivoting with lots of tail swing, (watch your tail swing) - and the pivot point is the front axle.

If neither dump, and you’re loaded heavy, it'll scrub’ the heck out of all tires - I’ve even seen guys blow the tires by unseating them with enough side pressure.

My first flatbed was a 53’ spread 11 years ago. After driving 11 years of doubles, I looked like a rookie, so don’t worry.

You need some middle of the day practice in a big empty parking lot - it’s the only way to get the feel of it.

 

When you set up to do a back on a spread axle flatbed, the idea is to start at a 45 degree angle. The spread axles have a mind of their own so you don't want to turn the wheel more than 1 full turn. Once you make the first turn to the right, just look in your mirrors and watch what your trailer is doing. I always looked at it like the trailer will tell you what you need to do. Then you make small adjustments with the wheel. In truck driving school, they most likely taught you to alley dock back. Out here in the trucking world, you'll seldom use that. If you're pulling spread axle flatbed, you'll never alley dock, as you'll have to keep the wheels turning. The most important thing, make sure you have adequate space to back and don't over-steer. I'm familiar with those 53 foot flatbed trailers Western has so I sympathize with you totally. Just take your time, don't over-steer, and it will come to you.

 

Glad you mentioned tail swing. Every WE flatbed I've seen is a 53' with the axles pretty far up the trailer.

 

For the benefit of other readers -- the general consensus here on the Forum for the best flatbed training/equipment can be found at:

• Maverick Transportation
• TMC
• Swift Transportation (flatbed actually is a small fleet there; not available at all terminals)
• Melton Truck Lines

Also worth a good look (depending on where you live):

• Decker Truck Lines
• Halvor Lines
• McElroy Truck Lines (highly favored by Lowe's home improvement stores)

The above listings are by no means totally inclusive; other good open deck fleets exist....but the above will yield a known good start.

-- L

 

Also, avoid pilots and flying Js as much as you can until you're fairly confident in your abilities. Some of them have much tighter ailes than the other truck stop chains and a 53 foot flatbed will catch hell there. Also remember it's gonna be just as hard for you to get out as it is to park, especially if you wake up and notice the guy across from you or right next to you isn't backed all the way into his space.

 

Off the top of my head the one in Winchester VA is probably the worst offender, but it's far from the only one.

 

EXCELLENT advice....