Backing tips please

Practice. You would be surprised how many experienced drivers have difficulties with the easy backing and whip it in one shot on hard ones. I have on and off days myself.

 

lord, i been driving forever, and still have problems with that ...no other trailers in next door spots, no lines...almost rather have a tight space between 2 trailers. ive actually a couple times when i felt particularly stupid taken to placing a couple items on the ground to make my own "line" that i can aim for from the drivers seat. that helps. sometimes in a big open space i just cant see "straight" at all without a bit of help from a couple/few pieces of wood (chocks i keep in the truck).

 

Exactly right! I can put a trailer anywhere IF I have a referance point. Otherwise it's back-n-forth. I keep a 3# sledge that I use to thump tires etc, & it will stand on it's head with the handle sticking up. Easy to see.

 

If I can add to that, get a little reflective or glow in the dark type of tape to help it stand out in the dark

 

I had problems with backing a while back but I got advice from another driver and he said to act like you're standing in the back of the trailer, it deffinently worked.

 

In wide open places try using other things for reference points. Lines in the building, other cars, trucks, signs, even shadows. Even if they are off in the distance you at least have something to aim for. Keep an eye on your tandems. Actually steer the truck by watching them and where they are going. Take it extra slow. This will give you time to see where you are going and also time to correct a problem.

Most of all its just going to take time....

 

Also...don't get so focused on what the trailer is doing to forget about the front of the tractor. You can be "steering" the trailer so well,,,then clip a post or other object with the front fender. I actually stuck a boulder the size of a p/u truck thru my drivers door one time and never saw the sob til it stoped me. My truck, my door. Oh-well!

 

Never fails.