Pull up steering techniques-help!

First off, I suspect you’re “steering to much”, going both backward and in the pull-up. Cut your wheel correction about in half and see what happens.

And you need to be moving slowly, at the same time you’re make slow corrections in your overall rig configuration (“atttitude”) Don’t turn hard while stopped, then move. Don’t overthink the situation.

 

It takes a lot of space to get the rear end of the trailer where it needs to be if you are way out of line. Best to start over in close quarters as opposed to trying to correct from a bad setup.

Focus on the putting the ### end of the trailer where it needs to be, always.. The mirrors are only a tool and can be deceiving. Until you are experienced enough to "see" all of the trailer with your mind's eye, GOAL all day long and compare where you think the combo is in your mind vs reality, until the two come into sync. It may take months for the mind to visualize what cannot be seen due to HUGE blind spots. Always focus on the rear end of the trailer and where it needs to be, and how to get it there. Trailer is the boss, not the tractor.

 

Check out you tube...they will have videos

 

Also, learn to see improper or unwanted drift early, and immediately initiate a minor, gradual counter-correction. You may or may not need to initiate a pull up. Just depends on the situation. Some pull-ups are required, some not. Experience will help in this regard, but if in doubt, do a minor pull-up correction to try and get back on the right track.

 

This 1,000,000 times.

A little pull up early avoids several pull ups later.

 

The purpose of a pull-up is to point the trailer in the right direction. So when you pull up, watch your Mirrors On Your Side, and when the trailer is pointed the right way start backing up and crowd that cone on the left.

Somebody else said it, but it Bears repeating, make small adjustments on the Wheel.

The principal is the same for straight or angled backing. Practice, practice, practice.

 

One of the first advice I was given was to "steer towards your problem".

So if you're jacked to the right, simply steer to the right.

Another advice would be to buy a small toy truck. It helps a lot with your visualization.

Edit: I was talking about backing.

 

One thing you need to learn about learning to drive. Get out and look frequently! Companies love drivers whom get out of the cab and look to see what or where your trying to park. The other headache is two fold. The class your taking has the cones moved in a foot from the actual test so it will be easy for you when you get there. The other headache is about trailers themselves. Trailers are only aligned for pulling them forward. Yet whe you back up they go where ever they want.

Keep practicing. It does get easier. A little steering wheel movement is better than alot.

 

This is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!!

I’m recently graduated with no experience, but steering toward the problem is right on the money. I’ve seen it live and in person. Also, small corrections on the wheel is also very true. The Sysco driver I spoke with for months before I went to school told me - small corrections. He was dead on.