Backing Advice for a Student Please

I'm with Spyder, this doesn't make sense. The objective is to get it in a hole without hitting anything. I don't care who tells you different, you get out and look if you have any doubt. I do understand there maybe a practice drill like this using fish eye mirror for blind side backing... but not to use your neck to look is wrong, and dangerous.

Tips with backing: Back of trailer is what you bump docks with and crack hoods with; The "Tandem/Rear Axle" is your pivot point.

• Set up: Put rear of tandem near even to the dock line/cone/parking spot. (Your lateral distance from should be greater than your overhang)
  [*=2]The further forward your tandems are on trailer the more likely you are to hit something on blind side in tight docks
  [*=2]The further back they are, the more likely you don't have room to swing nose of truck around in tight parking lots.Meaning the distance of overhange should be proportional to the distance of set up. ('53 trailer at '45 has an 8 foot lever) <---that will F' up other's mirrors or hoods.
• Cut the wheel hard, as you first try backing.
• Once your at such an angle you can visualize your trailer tandems in place with dock, release the wheel and swing tractor back to straight.
• The longer your tractor is, the earlier you need to release... the shorter the (pivot) trailer, the earlier you need to release... etc. <---its all experience

Thats my best advice, and when I re-read I'm not sure I understand. But one thing I know for fact, is the more eyes I have on me is directly related to my backing skills. <--Stop looking at me, and I'd have it in one shot

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All,
I think the original post person meant he is not allowed to look out the rear window when backing, must use the mirrors. What fool would not let you get out and look. They must have flatbed trailers where you can see out the rear window.

As for me, on a left side back, I have the door open and my head out watching. 40 years + and can still put the trailer where it needs to go, while in the middle of traffic.

 

If your husband can get a hold of a pickup truck with a long enough utility trailer that he can see in his mirrors, it is all the same concept. Take it out in a big empty parking lot, and back until it becomes second nature with his eye/hand coordination. He will create muscle memory, and never again have to think about which way to turn the wheel or where to put his hands. That is way too mechanical.

Use the window only until your mirrors are available or else he feels a needs to get out and look. In a really tight spot, look before ever starting, and it will put an image in his mind, and the mirrors, eyes and muscle memory will take over.....

 

I would have your hubby BEG for practice until he can do it the "schools" way...just to pass the test. Once he hires on with a starter company I suggest he use ALL of his resources, which could include mirrors, a spotter, slow speed, and GOAL!!! Get Out And Look!! I know this response/answer is redundant in this thread but it's the truth.

 

Sure glad I got my CDL already. I just got word of an additional problem for the skills test that will be effective after the 1st...

http://www.wimp.com/unloadingtruck/

 

As wrong as it seems, many state tests require not getting out or opening the door, along with a limit on pull ups. Most schools teach you how to pass the state test, nothing more, with the advice your trainer will teach you about the real world after you pass the state test. Until he passes his test he needs to focus on only using techniques allowed during the test. His trainer will teach him how it is done in the real world.

I found it easiest to focus on what the tandems, not the trailer was doing. As someone already stated, unlike the real word, at the test their is nothing else to hit beside the dock so you don't have to be concerned about trailer overhang.

Setup is important, if he finds himself heading into a jacknife or other hard to correct situation, stop, use a pull up early in the process all the way back to the starting position and try again.

Probably all the instructors are giving him advice that will work, I had three instructors each teaching a different system when in school. He needs to pick the one he's most comfortable with and practice whatever method works for him. Be consistent in practice and at the test.

This worked for me, his results may vary.

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