How much backing practice?

Straight line backing 101:

position the tractor and strainer straight. Check your mirrors. If you are straight, you can't see the back corner of the trailer in either mirror. You just see the sides. Okay, put her n reverse and start backing. When you start to see the rear corner of the trailer, cut the wheel the other way ever so slightly. If you are backing up and you start to see the rear corner of the trailer out of your right mirror, turn the wheel left one hand span and then straighten the steering again.

 

There is one aspect of straight backing that baffled me for quite a spell....

.... parallax.

Overcoming this issue is simply a matter of noting what is happening and practicing to make sure you can work "with" it. I recommend backing into a parking space with parallel lines, setting the parking brakes, then walking around the truck after you finish parking to see how centered and straight you are to the lines. Try this a few times and you will soon realize what parallax is doing to your perception and what you need to do in order to adjust for it.

 

I disagree with turning the wheel slowly as I'm an experienced yard jockey. I think for a student it's much easier to get into the habit or at least when learning with a 48 or 53 ft trailer to turn the wheel quickly when counter steering and following the trailer. You must first understand the basics of backing with a trailer or nothing will work.

 

Are you saying that the OP should turn the wheel more than 1/4 or 1/2 a turn? Or are you saying the speed in which he/she is turning the wheel?

 

Get out there on the road and deal with it. It takes a few years to get good a backing up, hell it takes that long to be half way good at it.

If I'm in a dock and I see a guy struggling next to my tuck I'm getting out to spot him, it happened today at 3 am. Folks will help you if you need it.


Practice at every empty truck stop when you have time, and do it when your tiered. DO IT WHEN YOUR TIERED, that's when it hard and that's when it counts. Don't be lazy make a couple of good practice backs in the afternoon when you can.

Backing is a difficult part about learning truck diving but the best way to learn in is in the wild. Don't forget GET OUT AND LOOK.

 

Biggest rule off backing that my dad taught me no throttle, off the clutch and away you go

 

I was at this rest area over by Italy Texas. I got out and noticed these people getting in their car. I looked down at their license plates. They said Vermont. I looked at the ole boy and said "Vermont, Been awhile since I've been up in those woods." He looked at me and said "It's been awhile since I've seen someone parallel park a big truck." Really nice people.