I am currently in CDL school and am having issues with backing. I am so confused sometimes with which way to turn my wheel to get my trailer exactly where I need it. I know it’s opposite, but my main issue is trying to pull forward to get myself moved over to the left or right. I feel as if I don’t have enough room on the practice pad to get myself set up properly. Any advice with backing issues for brand new drivers?
Backing issues
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Truckergirl78, May 21, 2018.
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The best advice that i was given when i was learning to back was to turn the wheel toward my problem. It all clicked from there for me.
Dino soar, stwik, Truckergirl78 and 6 others Thank this. -
The trailer will run away from your hand if your hand is on top of the Wheel. You see the trailer coming to your left, roll your hand to the left. If it is going right roll your hand right.
Now if that still confuses you, put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and it is just backwards.
Remember, on a straight line back the trailer will always track the same way. It won't go left one day and right the next.
Backing is not nearly as hard as you think it is.stwik and Truckergirl78 Thank this. -
There are some you tube videos that address this. Some have overhead shots. Might help.
Dino soar and Truckergirl78 Thank this. -
This may sound childish but it helped me a lot. Get a toy truck (with trailer) and set up a toy environment with similar obstacles. Then spend time watching how the trailer moves to get it where you want it. Then transfer that to your real setup. Best wishes!
Dino soar, stwik, Farmerbob1 and 4 others Thank this. -
You may be overthinking it or you may be too focused on "getting straight and in front of your slot".
Too many time we can't simply pull in, turn, straighten, then back straight in. So we need to get a grasp on backing from an origination point that is more or less perpendicular to your slot.
Often times it's best just to get the trailer about half way or more in (without hitting anything), then pull up and work on correcting your angle.
Search YouTube for "overhead backup training" or "Birdseye backup training" and see what comes up. Maybe a few of this will help "get your mind right".Njhandofdoom, Truckergirl78 and silverspur Thank this. -
put your hand on the bottom of the wheel and move your hand the direction you want the back of the trailer to go.
Grove_LA and Truckergirl78 Thank this. -
This time last year I was in CDL school and thought I would never ever get the skills done perfectly. I did hear that for whatever reason, it seems that us gals have a harder time of the skills.
This is what helped me ; I kept memorizing the turns in my head ; Left, Right, Straight, Right, Left, Straight.
Then I started memorizing where I would turn ; Reverse straight a little, then hard left until I see the center of the crossbeam in my mirror, then hard right until I am in front of the trailer straight, then back straight until my rear tire is across the parking line. The hard right until I see the cross beam, then hard left until I am straight and then I should be in the spot.
Don't beat yourself up too much. It drove me bananas. One great teacher did bring me into his class alone and took out a toy tractor trailer to demonstrate. He was the best teacher ever. I took longer to get the skills, but when I did it, I passed no problem.Truckergirl78 Thanks this. -
As far as memorizing the turns- I guess it’ll help you pass the test- but in the real world, where setups are like snowflakes (no two are the same) I wouldn’t recommend getting in that type of habit. Good way to g t yourself in trouble. There’s no substitute for good old fashioned practice. -
Grove_LA, MBAngel, Truckergirl78 and 1 other person Thank this.
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