Backing/Docking Killing Me

Otherhalftw, very nice write-up!

Say what you want about CR England, BUT I have found this backing video to be very helpful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1J0FH4CeaY

TS

 

after 8 years i can hit a tight spot no problem but when i try to park in the back of a truckstopo with 20 empty spots i cant hit one for anything go figure lol

 

1. Don't hit anything. 2.Don't worry what others think. They have bad days too.

 

It would be nice to have a whole football field to maneuver around in everywhere we needed to back in. :-/

 

Whenever you need to stop at a TS avoid the fuel island and go park. skip the pull through spots and back in somewhere. pick more challenging spots when you have more confidence, or make the spots more challenging by imagining the lot is full or something is in the way. it just takes practice.

 

Its been a week relax, it takes time. If you haven't hit anything or done any damage, then you must be doing just fine.

 

That doesn't come from a class...more from 15 years as a trainer/Mentor with Swift.

All those years as a trainer, and taking on so many "newbies" fresh out of truck school, I realized there was a need to "learn how to teach" more than just what a training company had on their curriculum. Trust me...you aren't alone in the grief or frustration from what is not taught at truck school or by your trainer. Especially in the last 5-7 years...these "training companies" aren't teaching their "trainers" how to teach, nor are they doing anything to improve the downhill trend with most everything in this industry.

When you're ready for the next challenge.....http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ers-advice/158771-chaining-are-you-ready.html

Good luck to you...you already have one huge advantage over us "old farts"...you have the internet and forums like this one to ask questions and get a variety of answers and thoughts..whatever the subject. Remember, any one task can be solved in a variety of methods, each one of us finds our own tricks and short cuts....whatever you learn and practice, be a considerate trucker and pass it on to others who might be asking!

 

Otter's post is good. Your setup can make or break you. But setups depend on how much room you have in front of you on how difficult the back will be. I like to get students to visualize the trailer and tractor as two separate units. What does this trailer have to do to get into that hole? That part is similar to pushing a wheel barrow.
The second part is now what do I have to do with the rear of my tractor to get the front of that trailer to act the way I want it to. All that stuff will help you understand which way to turn the steering wheel. Hence the steering wheel makes the rear of the tractor go this way to push the nose of the trailer that way.
Wheel base is another part of the factor. The longer wheel base the more forgiving your back is but it also requires more room. Backing a boat with a pickup is much quicker and difficult than an 18 wheeler so don't let the size fool you. That's one reason truckers can back in tight spots once they have backing down. It's much more forgiving once you know what you are doing.

When you finally learn to back it becomes second nature. Use all the visual aids you can. That might be old tire tracks coming out, expansion cracks in the concrete, painted lines or in the beginning I even put rocks out as an aid to make an imaginary line square with the building. An ideal perfect back will be the opposite of pulling out of that space.

It sounds corny but it works really well is to buy yourself a toy tractor trailer and play with it on a table. It helps bring that :smt115. It only takes a day or two to understand the concept that way. Buy it at Walmart and you can even return it or give it to some kid! I've seen problem backers go from totally lost to 100% improvement overnight.

A couple pointers is always never second guess yourself on your blind side. Get out and look if you are not sure. Don't let another driver rush you either.

When backing at an angle it takes the tractor half of that angle to get back under it. For example you are doing a 90 degree back. When that trailer is at the 45 degree point you better be turning your steering wheel the other way to get back under the trailer about the same time the trailer lines up. That's general principle to keep in the back of your head when backing. That will help you from having the trailer nice and lined up but the tractor is still at and angle. Pull ups are your friend and don't be afraid to take as many as you need. Don't be afraid to ask for help either.

Practice makes perfect. Everyone has to learn sometime so don't let it get you down. One day you'll be backing 500 feet down a tight alley like a pro.