mirrors only ?

I once saw an old dude blindside his Pete into a spot by opening up the passenger door and coasting back only holding the steering wheel. He got it right in there like he did it every day.

 

People have to back up??

I always just use my mirrors...I don't bump docks mind you. I do have to get out sometimes though and take a look that Im not running over massive rocks in the middle of the night

 

What are these moto mirrors you speak of?

 

I think using any means necessary is just fine.. As long as you don't hit anything I don't really think there is a wrong or right way.... To the guy who said use GOAL that only implies that you get out and look before you back up (to check if you might hit anything or someone hidden behind your blind spots etc.. this isn't for the actual backing up of the truck)

The one "means" that I think is wrong is standing outside on the step while controlling steering wheel and clutch. I have seen many do it and without issues BUT this is dangerous if you ask me.. All it takes it for you to slip and fall off the truck for something bad to happen.. So this isn't really something I would advise..

Like I said I use any means necessary.. Mostly I use my mirrors but I have also stuck my head out the window a few times.. Since I am in a day cab I also use the rear window as well depending on where I am backing and if I have blind side or jackknife into a spot.. I don't back up to docks really (on occasion I do back up hopper machines inside buildings) so I am usually backing into doors onto a tipping floor or I am backing up along side material in open areas...

 

In OZ ya hook up tripples with mirrors only. Got to have a bit of patience when reversing with 2 trailers upto the 3rd trailer.

 

Probably the guy I was gonna mention, he works for the guy I used to driving a truck I used to own. Hell of a good guy. I seen him back in one day and it was a spot everybody got atleast one pull up he just slid right in no problems.

I normally just lean out but if it's raining or cole I use my moto mirrors. I was taught the old school way. I asked my grandpa one time why he never taught me GOAL instead of just pulling up. He said "If you gotta get out and look ya probably dudn't hit it anyway mide as well get off of it" I can't argue he did over 60 years behind the wheel and I've done all of mine safe and haven't hit anything.

 

one of my customers asked me how I got so good at backing, I tell her I close my eyes and let my seeing eye dog do it. He's never hit anything yet.

 

Spot I had to get into yesterday required me to turn around and get a different angle at the gate, moving vehicles inside the fence, follow the slalom course in reverse, inspect the entire path before I started, Teach the spotter how to spot.

Why is it that people can not properly spot? Why do they think they always have to be at the back of the trailer? When you are snaking back and forth, they keep disappearing and then they don't realize why the brake lights are on until you yell for them to get where you can see them..... LOL Hell I knew how to spot for someone by the time I was 10.

The one I really like is when they hold their white hand in front of their white face and you are supposed to know what they are doing with it... LOL

the worst backing though, IMO, is with the sun to your back and going into a building of shadows..... There you just have to hope the building is longer than your trailer because you can not see until the mirrors hit the shade.

 

If you have ever competed in a state truck rodeo run by the ATA one of the rules are to leave the window closed while doing the various maneuvers. You are not allowed to stick your head out of the cab.

 

Called suicide knobs for a reason. Wouldn't put one on my forklift when I did that back in the day either. Can't give you the actual safety "why", but it got in my way a WHOLE lot more than it helped.