How long does it take to perfect 90 deg backing

i went to a construction company and bought a pair of cones off of them and carried them on my truck all the time to mark my clearance points. highly urge you to do the same. and for the love of god, get your ### out of the truck and check every hole cause someone will have to eventually pull the trailer your backing in next too and nothing pisses ya off more than to go pick up a load and have the trailer reg tagged and not reported out of service. especially a huge problem with drop yards with the bigger companies.

 

*Road Test: Take as many pullups as you need....dont hit another vehicle, you'll pass.

Regarding the Instructor whom has it down to the number of turns. (nice)

First, there are only four turns. When you take two turns from a full left steering wheel rotation...that means, your steer tires are now in a straight line position.

Set up: i believe, your referring to where do you accurately stop the truck before you begin backing. Try the crushed can method. From the edge of the sight side dock perimeter, count off 3 & half dock spaces. At this point, (a marker), Drop your crushed can on the ground, Then pullup your semi truck till your mirror bracket reaches this point. Preform your 90 degree backing exercise.

(If, you need to adjust the cans marking position, 1), to your semi trucks wheelbase, 2), trailer length & 3), kingpin setting. move the can forward or backward towards ur dock.)

How long till you feel self confident: 3rd attempt.

 

Some day are just better than others.

 

depends on the state how many pull ups you get? Washington is two free pull up's then docked one point there after. two get out and looks after that it is a failure.

 

My rule of thumb.. if it gets in without touching anything but air and ground.. its perfect. I don't care if it takes you 30 seconds or 30 minutes.

 

best advice I ever got was to steer your inside back corner of the trailer at the pivot point.
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Top of the left-hand line is your pivot point. If you're confused by multiple lines, get out and put a coffee cup or something on your aim-point. Also don't be afraid to put the trailer close to your parking spot as you pull past, especially with a 53', because your front end is going to take a LOT of space to your right as you back. If you start off too far to the front, you'll be wacking something with your truck, even if only a cone-line.

It's really not one thing or another thing. For me It's getting to grasp intuitively what the trailer is going to do, based on your input. Only thing that accomplishes that is lots of practice.
And as some have said, some days I do it perfectly with no pullups. Other days I can't back a straight line without multiple pullups. Eating well and staying hydrated will help too. Hungry/thirsty makes us all stupid.