scared to go places

I never forget when I first started pulling a spread axle reefer. That was some fun times. no sliding the tandems. the trailer turned on the back axle. pulling and pushing on the front axle. had to think about how to get it in the hole. and how to get it out of the hole. after years of pulling that trailer behind a big peterbuilt. 53's and the short noise trucks were easy to navigate.

 

So that was -you- at the J in McCalla, AL taking your time blind siding into a back row slot that could have been a easy straight back with a quick u-turn in the same corner? LOL. Don't know what it was that night, but there were some real backing miracles happening and it's an easy lot. I think I saw about 5 attempted blind-side alley docks and only one guy actually got it done after about 100 pull ups and a half hour. All in a space that was easy to circle around and lots of empty spaces, so it wasn't like they were going to miss the last spot if they circled to set up better.

I find that I do my best performances on the tough ones. Tired after a 700+ mile day and I'll snap into the last space like I'm on rails. Awkward docks I'll walk around and study it a minute to figure out a strategy and just nail it without trying too hard. Next stop I'll be at a DC with acres of empty space, well rested and clean mirrors and I'm all over the place. I guess in my case, if I don't need to think too I hard, then I don't and it shows.

Lots of good tips in this thread. My favorite advice (applies to blocking traffic when coming off a street) came from a trainer that did NYC deliveries for about 20 years: "You are the traffic." In other words, don't worry about all those impatient fools around you. They're not driving your truck, you are.

 

Owner Operators cannot ALWAYS say NO otherwise they GO broke

 

"You are the Traffic" ... I like that

 

Nothing you've said has insulted my intelligence... that I can guarantee, and when you say things like "I didn't know you were a know it all" you can pretty much expect condesention in return. Your welcome.

Now I am through with this thread, and through with you, bit in the future if you feel the need to "help" me out, please ask if I need it rather than just quoting an answer and posting links unless you are 100% certain I am in the wrong, because this time, clearly I was not and this whole little thing could easily have been avoided by a simple question.

Have a nice day.

 

Thanks! I will! Sorry about the confusion sir!

 

nooooo. I gave up on the tight holes. pretty much if i don't see a pretty easy hole to hit. i go on down the road to the next place. i pretty much avoid flying j,pilot,love,t/a and most petros for stopping or over night stays.

 

Oh man! You're missing out on all the gr8 amenities these places are giving; free wifi, homemade cooking, peace and quiet ... wait

 

To the OP, I've been doing this over 20 years now, and consider myself a pretty good backer, but my first year or so, I was just like you. My favorite time was closing the trailer doors, 'cause I knew I wouldn't have to back until the end of the run (and most of them were 1000 miles plus.)

Stick with it, it gets better, some days you will even enjoy a tight spot, 'cause you will be proud of your skills.

 

Maybe not your freight, but this isn't the case for us yard, line haul, and feeder drivers.