backing help for a newby

On a 45 degree.. Put your trailer wheels on the dock line, and follow the steering wheel around " slowly " . Pull up if you need to.

 

They are correct, it's all practice, practice, practice. You will get better the more you do it. I just became a 1st seat driver about 3 weeks ago. The first week I avoided all truck stops, slept at rest areas and wherever else I could find where I didn't have to back into a spot, and basically lived off of wheat thins lol. But after a little while you'll start to get the hang of 45 degrees and such, it's all about the set-up. I'm still not near perfect, but I'm 100 percent better than when I started. It just takes time to build confidence.

And at truck stops always go for the easy spot. I usually end my day early so I'm almost guaranteed a spot in the back where there are two spaces side by side open so I get a larger margin of error.

 

i remember setting in a truck stop in south texas, brownsville or mcallen, some driver was either practicing or trying to impress everyone with his backing skills. the guy kept winding his truck out in reverse then pulling forward real slow over & over

anyhow the lastime he gets his truck all wound up going about 10mph in reverse he backed perfectly square into the front of the truck behind him parts flew everywhere.

 

Check this site

It's a 2d simulator to practice parking with cars, bus, short semi and a long semi.

Try it, it may give you some tips for when you're in a tight place.

I can't post links cause i'm new here, but type this address in your browser.

http://geoquake.jp/en/webgame/DrivingSimulator/

 

Now THIS is an important topic!

The wife and I are in school right now and we've been working on backing up all week. ####...it's much harder than I expected. 45 degree is kicking my butt all over the school yard.

I took the toy advice and made some parking areas on the dining room table with pin-stripe tape. Every night I come home and back the toy into spaces while I watch what the tractor and trailer are doing.

So far, it's just not clicking once I get in the cab. On Saturday, I'm gonna hook the yard trailer up to the riding mower and practice backing up next to the yard barn. Sigh...

 

Exactly!!! Mike drives an International and was trained on a Freightliner Classic and he's still commenting at times about the HUGE difference.

One thing he was taught, if you have half a mile to use to make the turn to back up properly, USE IT. Never get frustrated. If it just doesn't work right the first time, pull out and start over again. It's NOT something you learn overnight.

I'm in the truck with Mike and have been for over a month and some days it's a breeze, some days he's frustrated all to heck but he's never damaged anything yet because, no matter how impatient others are, he will NOT rush. No way. It's not his truck and no way he wants to damage ANYTHING.

The toy truck thing sounds like a great idea, actually, if you're a visual learner. I can see how that'd help a lot.

I keep saying to Mike, "If you master this International, when you DO get to drive a Freightliner again some day, it'll be a piece of cake!!"

Just keep on practicing, never give up, GOAL is a great practice. Nothing is worth damaging a truck or trailer for so, as all the others have said, take your time and it'll work out eventually

 

I find the shorter the trailer, the harder to back up.