General Advice...

If your trailer wheels miss the curb, the stop lights and other cars, then you are doing fine! Take all the space you need to get your trailer wheels to track where you want them to go!
Good luck!

 

so far. when there's traffic around you, make sure you control the lanes when you're turning as not to let the idiots get next to on your right side. because they will if they have the chance. the same thing goes for on and off ramps that curve to the right especially. watch your right mirror because these numbskulls will try and sneak by you on the ramps sometimes. stupid idiots.

 

Yup, I was pulling a 53' in a residential setting today, and had to take up ALL the road to turn right, and some numbskull tried to commit suicide by passing me on the right while I have my right turn signal on, and am in the process of turning right... a quick blast of the horn made them stop dead in their tracks, and wait for me to finish my turn!

Unfortunately its going to happen sooner or later, so ALWAYS be alert for them...

 

These kooks in the 4 wheelers are in such a hurry , they don't even see what you are doing, so you really gotta be alert. When I said the ramps , I'm referring to jughandles that curve to the right , or a cloverleaf interchange. I saw the idiot coming up on me last night, so I was ready for it. This was a right hand turn. He stopped because if he didn't, he would've gone for an interesting ride down the street, right under my trailer. It's especially bad in the cities and surrounding areas.

 

If you can, slide your tandems as far forward as possible. This will make those right-hand turns easier to make. This may be wishful thinking, however, since everyone I know, including myself, had the tandems all the way back ("D" setting for Roehl) for the road test. But it certainly can't hurt to ask the CDL tester if you can slide them forward.

 

i come up to the turn, swing in to the right to get my trailer blocking the right lane. then swing out before i get to the white line to get my tractor in the left (if i need to) then just watch watch watch that spot mirror all the way through (along with the front of your truck LOL) if you look like you are going to hit STOP!!! you may have to wait on someone coming the other way on the street you are turning onto to back up or go by, then just swing out further. iv'e even had to back up a tad and swing out further once.

 

i perfer tandems all the way back when backing, easier to predict the trailer movement...

be careful with the tandems all the way forward, the rear of the trailer can swing out and snag a car beside you

just when making those right hand turns watch your blind spots for cars , poles, anything you could run into

when i first started i though how can you see out those little blind spots but now i can see exactly where my trailer is...

i usally can tell how much its going to take to make the corner

GOOD LUCK!

 

never backup like that unless there is a cop that knows what you are doing and is watching. if you hit something you are going to have a bad day. just sit and wait until the traffic in front of you moves out of your way. if they want to play games and not move for you..... DON'T YOU MOVE !! just sit there !! it's on them to move out of your way ..... unless there is a cop that gives you permission to backup AND is watching !! I've had a situation a few years back where I was following a truck route somewhere up in Washington state. I did nothing wrong . I was in the process of turning right.... a tight turn with cars on the corner. Some bigshot 4 wheeler though he would ruin my day and not back up about 10 ft. so I could make the turn. I did not move 1 inch ! I sat there for about 10 - 15 minutes just relaxing and he finally got the clue that he might miss dinner if he doesn't move the hell out of the way. Never let these ninkenpoops ruin your day !!! We are supposed make a right hand turn and actually go into the opposing traffic's lane if need be... that's what the CDL manuals say . And if you backup and you happened to not notice a dog, a kid, a car, a pole, anything behind you, you can lose your job. People sneak around you as if they're in some kind of game or something. They don't understand half the time what you are doing and why. They are just that simple-minded and don't really care either. Just be alert and careful.