Backing Up On the Job

Chris:
Dont worry about the cones. You cant kill them, they always grow back. Tell your instructor that, im sure he will be impressed.
The backing will come to you with time and practice. Be patient, it isnt going to happen overnight. As NYROADIE said, steer as little as possible when backing up. Alot of backing up is how the T/T is positioned when you pull up to do your back up manuver. When you pull up and stop, look in the mirror and trailer should be lined up with whatever you are backing up to. It should take hardly any steering while in reverse. After awhile, it wil be as easy and natural as going forward. It wont make any diffence what the challenge is.
Sometimes backing a hard turn is easier than pulling out. The trailer will turn a harder corner(manuver) when backing. Imagine a trailer following a truck in a turn,going forward. It wants to be in a straight line. Pushing trailer backward, the trailer wants to turn. Pull on a piece of rope it follows. Push on the rope and it goes wherever, wanting to "turn". Pushing against the trailer, you are in control of how the "rope" will turn when pushing it. I didnt explain this very well, (anyone please feel free to add to this and explain it better).
In time i bet you will understand...

 

In Illinois it is even legal (no points deducted) to get out and look, once, during your CDL test. "From what I was told..."

Mikeeee

 

getting out and looking can make the difference on an extra 2 minutes spent backing up in a safe manner, or saying fooey on getting out and tearing off a 3500 dollar hood and fender. what is that 2 minutes worth to you?

 

dont turn the wheel too much, i overcompensated a lot and i think rookies make the same mistake

 

Yes, it is DEFINITELY easy to oversteer when backing. Try as i might, I am STILL doing it everytime. Ive been on my own for about two weeks now, and slowly training myself out of it