Difficult backing with flatbedding ?

I don't know if it's true or not (ahum) but I heard that flatbeds are for sissies . Anyone else hear that too?

 

Wow... First post and already looking to start trouble.

 

I pulled a flat for my first year...for Maverick. The docks like the one shown here are the worst ones I saw. Most of the drywall plants I loaded at were set up like this. Its about 50' deep slot with a few inches to spare on each side of the trailer...as mentioned... many were built for smaller trailers. Other than the drywall plants, parking at the truckstop was probably as tough as anything else I had to do with it. The spread axle was easy to learn imo.

The absolute best thing you will ever learn with any truck/trailer combination is how to set yourself up for the backing maneuver. Each combination will have a different sweet spot. The initial setup is 80%+ of the key to a successful backing maneuver....my opinion of course

 

MI know it's probably hard to explain adequately with words but could you please try to explain how best to set up your back in.

 

Always use ALL the room available to you (don't try to be a hero!), never back to the "blind" side (unless it's the only way to get in) and don't oversteer.
It still amazes me that so many "drivers" try to back into the loading bays at our plant on the blind in a wide open yard! First clue that we are going to get some free entertainment is when a guy is starting to back in and his steer tires are going from lock to lock right away!

 

I back to the blind side all the time, doesn't even phase me. Actually in some cases is easier for me.

 

To keep it readable, I'll try to make some key points.
1. When you start the setup. How far do drive past the parking spot before you start your setup.

2. When do you end the setup. After you have steered away from the parking spot and then counter steered...or whatever your going to do...when do you stop and consider it time to begin backing into the spot.

With the Maverick truck and trailer (this is about backing flatbeds after all), I would pull past the parking spot until my sidebox was just past the parking spot, then turn right and begin the setup. I would then judge how much room I had to work with, keeping in mind that I had to have room to swing the nose of the truck around once I began backing. Then I would typically just pull away from the parking spot at whatever angle that left me with. I would pull away at that angle until the rear of the trailer was even with or just past the parking spot. Adjusting the beginning of the setup and the end of the setup by just a foot or two either direction would change the level of success. Once, you learn where your marks are (reference points) and learn to use them every, single time... your backing skills will improve.

 

Hood, stacks, tri axle, spread axle, 53', wide load hiding the back of your trailer, All these things can make backing a step , rgn, or skateboard a time to pay attention

 

I find it a bit easier backing with a flatbed trailer because you can usually see a bit over the trailer if the load isn't that big; I drive a day cab truck with a rear window. I've never tried backing a spread axle, though, so I'm not too sure about that.

 

What do you mean by your sidebox?