In a flatbed, especially an empty flatbed, the only vertical guide on the trailer are the sides of the tires. Putting piece of 2 x 4 in the rear stake pocket might give you a vertical sight-line to use when backing. With a spread axle it's just gonna take room to back.
Help backing flatbed
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Western1, Apr 3, 2026.
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right Chinatown, he has to be very careful with the spread axles. The drivers on TTR, will give the BEST advise on this, These guys are good, wait, let me rephrase that, THERE GREAT with the info.here.
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I drive a spread axle. Never noticed much difference how it backs compared to the tandems I pulled. Mainly just try not to get into as sharp of turns whether going forward or backing up. As far as just backing like a truck driving school course I would think they would be a lot the same. Shorter or longer trailers make more difference than spread axle.
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Maybe it’s just me. It just feels a lot different. I’ve gotten better over the past few days it just feels like there’s more delay with the turning that I had to adjust to and was causing me to oversteer.Speedy356, OldeSkool and Albertaflatbed Thank this.
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You’re probably right. I’ve pulled a lot of different trailers, you just kind of learn to adjust to them after a while.Speedy356 Thanks this.
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If they don't then it wouldn't surprise me if drivers started temporarily disconnecting the leveling valve(s) in order to accomplish the same thing. I'm not saying I recommend that, but sometimes you have to do some outside-the-box thinking.
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