Advice on docking trailers for a student

it is different for evryone look on here and you will see dozens of suggestions. the best is a toy truck so you can see what the truck is doing without actually being inside the truck

 

I almost screwed that up when I went to school, so your not alone.It took me about 3 months to start feeling comfortable with my backing.then i transferred to a yard that was small, and you were inches from trailers backing.you learn fast in places like that.
Heres what you do as far as backing. OK I'm gonna explain a drivers side standard backing.
Ok your truck is straight, right,so are your steers.
I'm assuming its a 45 degree angle to your drivers side,with no distance to move,but back into the dock/cones.
first you want to steer to the right,until the truck is at an angle.You halfway.
Now using you mirrors,and looking back out of the drivers side window, you want to slowly steer to the left, but your not using the front wheels now to finish the back.
What you are doing(since the truck is at and angle) is using the tractor(still at the angle) to actually push the trailer into position,and you only steering the tractor to the left to minimalize the the angle you'll be at when its finished.
If you have ever used a forklift with rear steering wheels its basically the same principal.
just remember that your only using your steer wheels to get that first angle,then your using the tractor to push the trailer(steering actually with your tandem wheels ) to get into the second(final part of the turn )when your backing.(using the steers only to straighten the truck back out in the end of it.)
Hope this helps Han!

 

I had to fake it at truck driving school, kinda just went on instincts just enough to pass. Then learned on my own once I got my truck. It takes a lot of practice.

 

i like this idea, i can see where it would help in visualising things.

id say concentrate on straight backing first, it is the basis of all the other manuevers.

keep in mind mirrors...DISTORT things! so find out what works for you to determine if your truck/trailer is parallel to the cones/lines of your lane.

for me, i angle my left plane mirror up a tad so i can just see the trailer wheels, on the trucks i trained with this lessened the distortion. i also would look at the line as compared to the bottom edge of the trailer in the mirror to see if they were lining up. catch the trailer early with small steering wheel inputs. if you are turning your wheel more than between the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock range, you are catching it too late.

once you get more comfortable straight backing, the others (sight side, blind side,alley,offset) will be easier.

oh yea! go s-l-o-w, stop and look any time you are unsure. and dont give up even when you think you will never get it.

now on to the important stuff...

i see your handle references CJ5...a subject near and dear to my heart....what year? any goodies?

good luck

 

the problem that 99% of students have is over correcting. once you aim that trailer too far and start backing, you will chase that thing across town. so when you are starting your offset with the first turn, turn the wheel about 1/3 to 1/2 as much as you have been doing, then STOP at the point you think you need to be getting the tractor back around, and get out and look. you need to get a visual in your mirror of some point on the trailer, IE the pigtail or something for you to reference to next time. by stopping and looking before you start to correct the trailer, you will see what you need to do next.

 

just keep practice.

 

sweet! i have a '74 CJ5 fiber body and tilt nose, 232 rebuilt to 258, dana 44 rear 30 front with about an 1.5" body lift.



Just Empty Every Pocket!

mines a bit rough, but overall good condition. i need (want) a nice T-18/Dana300 to replace the dead trans/case in it now, then i can trust her in the woods again.

good idea practising with the tractor at home, should help you get used to trailers doing the opposite of the tractor.

GL and stay with it,

jim

 

Practice. Practice. Practice. You'll get it. And once you do it'll be fun, especially when you have to hit a tight dock, other drivers are watching, and you sink it on the first putt (you did remember to open the doors, right? ). BOL.