Backing practice

Give yourself lots of room to start, leave some space between you and obstacles on the side away from where you're backing into so you can manuever, and don't oversteer.

 

I pull a 15' box with my f-350 dually been doing that ever day for the past 3 years, , I also have a 33 ft' travel trailer. I am good with both of those. I am hoping that will help me.

 

Look on youtube for backing videos

 

Get nice and close to the row of trailers/trucks you'll be backing into. Stop when you get your cab side extenders even with the line that will be on your driver's side when you've finished the back. Crank the wheel all the way right. Pull up until the tractor has made nearly a 90 degree right turn (depends on the available space). Stop. Crank the wheel all the way left. Pull up until you've made a 90 degree left hand turn. Straighten the steering wheel. The tractor should be parallel to where it was when you snuggled up next to the backing row, and the trailer should be at about a 45 degree angle to the hole.

Now just back it up and follow it in.

I'll go draw a picture.





Clearly, this is an ideal situation, but once you learn this pattern, it can be tailored to most situations. Adjust as necessary for the wheel cut of the tractor and the distance from kingpin to trailer tandems, and for the available pull up space.

Always, the best option is a straight back if you've got the space.

 

And for goodness sake don't be afraid to do as many pull ups as you need. This isn't school and nobody's taking points off for them.

You might get heckled or laughed at a bit but it sure beats hitting anything...lol

 

That is definitely the IDEAL situation which happens much less often than you'd hope. The main problem you're going to have is obstacles in the way of the TRACTOR while driving the trailer in the hole. You must always compensate for this. In many truck stops and shippers, the row on top is going to be much closer than in the drawings.

Experience will teach you how to get in these holes and frankly, one day, you'll be so tired and the only hole available will be the tight hole and you'll get er in there by God, though it may take a while.

 

Thanks for taking time to answer my question. I really appreciate it.

 

This never got thru my thick head for quite awhile (I thought I knew more than who was teaching me, big mistake anyways) but watch those tandems. I spent way too much time watching the back of the trailer.

Good Luck and you will get it!

 

You know there are some schools or training where they will deduct or fail you if you don't get out and check.

Even if i think i can back in without getting out i still do ,if anything it has prevented me from hitting sharp objects.

But on a funny note i was backing in and another guy was too,and the receivers had to wait 45 min and the guy came to the back of his trailer and put his finger in his mouth and put it up in the air(as to say he was checking the wind condition(lmao)

 

Md. blows during the backing manuevers part your not allowed to get out and look. KIind of stupid if you ask me.