How do these people slip thru the cracks ?

About the only thing i don't like to back up is a lowbed on a single jeep. The jeep swings too fast one way and the bed too slow the other. But use my tandem jeep and its not bad at all. Looking forward to when i get my new tri axle jeep as it should be even easier yet.

 

If you ever volunteer to help spot someone, at least stop and make sure you both agree on proper hand signals. The most important signal is, "STOP!"

I use the basic signals common throughout the oil industry. Many frack sites won't allow you to move forward or backwards without at least two spotters. Often you are required to stop, get out of the truck, and make sure everyone knows the signals. If at any time I can't see a spotter or if the signals make no sense, I stop, set the parking brake, get out and look, and review the signals again.

Much of the problem with folks "helping" to spot a driver in a hole at the truck stop is they don't have a clue how to signal the driver. They lose sight of the driver as he gets into a jacknife (instead of making sure the driver can always see you in his/her mirrors), and do this circular motion with the hand that means NOTHING. If you want to help another driver, figure out how to properly spot them.

The other thing that creates a huge problem is the idiocy of truck stops that design the parking spots really tight in the only place to get in or out of the fuel islands. Sheer idiocy.

 

Wait until they start swatting at a fly while guiding you back...

 

Stupid is everywhere.
GRAPHIC VIDEO: Hawaii burger place closes after video appears to show rat cooking | Fox News

 

Most people "that don't get it" either have never had a good teacher, will not listen to the help that's being offered, or never think the skill they are lacking is important enough that they should seek understanding/practice developing the skill. A lot of people prefer to think skill is a magical gift that some people are awarded and others are, for unknowable random reasons. A few people are "naturals", but they are rare. EVERYBODY gets better if they practice AFTER they know the technique. Heck babies learn Chinese, French, Icelandic, German, etc. Those are far harder to learn thank backing.The difference between babies and some truck drivers is that babies WANT to learn and don't just blame the world for not providing enough support so their task is easy.

 

Yep, some are naturals and some will never get it but for the large majority of us we get better over time, if we want to.

Unfortunately some will work harder to avoid backing than they will to get proficient at it. 'Good enough' is all too common.

 

I wonder how many good drivers you let go by because they were a little extra nervous cause the "boss" was in the truck?
And every truck trailer back different. Drove my w9 for 15 years now after a year of driving the pete I still have to do an extra pull up or 2 ever now and again.
When I started I followed my Dad around for a few months and when we got a tough back in he would stand in front and tell me which way to turn the wheel. I didn't learn #### like that, just doing what he told me.

 

That aint no old guy

 

Hold my beer.

 

In 32 years the only thing I've ever hit going forward or backward is two deer. They were on the hwy, in the dark, going around a corner. Truck was still driveable so i limped it home the last few hours. Never had to call a tow truck to pull me out after getting stuck either. But I've only been at it for a measly 32 years, so I might someday drive into the ditch and call for a tow.