Backing/Docking Killing Me

Otherhalftw has it nailed. My buddy taught me driving dumps 30 yrs ago. He stressed putting the hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and turning it in the direction of where you want the trailer to go. Back then the dump trailers were a lot shorter so you were always chasing it around. So over the years I have explained it to others who were trying to back in any type of trailer. Go slow you'll get it.

 

Ok Otter had to read that ######## twict to figure it all out--if I had to think that much to back in I'd have a stroke!LOL--but you make some very good points and did explain it to a Newby as well as I have heard--even if I would never do that--BUT I don't count on this discussion--what I do want u to add is 2 explain remind ur students bout TAILSWING-?what with everybody pullin 53 nowadays--and #### near all the megas I c runnin round with the dam. Wheels at Cali bridge--I too often see a Newby watchin--linin up their tandems-in a tight spot-w/out payin attention to the OTHER SIDE if their wagon--and oops another mirror(hood-bumper)goes down---
Just sayin........

 

Take your rig onto a parking lot. No cars anywhere. Walk 100 steps behind your truck with a beer can, & set it down. Back up to it. Don't knock it over. Takes about a weekend. Any driver that says they can "blind side" a trailer into a hole is real good, or lying. Baby Steps.

 

You have to get the truck setup right to get it to go in the hole right. Watch how this driver minivers his truck to back in....start watching at 3:30! http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=QsUGFZ4mCag

 

You are absolutely right! Delivered to a place with like 400 slots & they gave me a slot where nobody was around me. I had to pull up about 9 times! I felt stupid as crap! After finally getting it straight and to the door, forgot to open the doors and had to pull up again!

 

Thank you also for this. No one even brings up chaining until you need it and then, well, trial and error seem to be the norm. Especially with us newbies. And if your trainer doesn't know, well then, what do you do? And we do all need to stick together and pass along what we were taught and also LISTEN to what others have learned.

 

I will just say this: I recently graduated school and passed my test on the first try.

At school, I COULD NOT ALLEY BACK FOR XXXX lol !!! Literally *the* last day before my test, there was an instructor who was working the alley dock skill who normally did something else. His method just clicked with me. He just said, slow down ... Creep it and adjust the trailer to where you want it to go, there is absolutely no need for speed and wrenching the wheel around. And every time I docked after that?? Right in .. only a couple of times I made a short pull-up.

During my test I pulled it forward once before entering the cones because I saw the trailer was getting away from me; made my adjustment, and it went right in.

 

Absolutely right! When backing there is no need to be on the throttle...idle back is always best!

 

Im still a rookie myself but one thing that I had to really focus on was watching my duals instead of the trailer. Obviously you have to keep an eye on your trailer too but the line you need is the one your duals follow. I would watch my trailer then would be too tight at the tandems and have to pull up.
Another thing in school they teach you specific moves to pass the test, like turn your wheel 1/2 turn etc. Your backing will improve alot when you just relax and make the trailer do what you need it to do.
Thanks to otherhalftw I read that along time ago and it is a great write up. But just relax and get out and take a look and take your time, it will get easier.

 

This advice is amazing I appreciate you putting this into perspective .I got the visual it just helps seeing it on paper as my provlpr is telling whether or not I'm straight and square. I've got less than a year of experience and I'm still having a tad bit of trouble backing up or sorta understanding what phrases like "Watch the front of the trailer" I mean I get that it's the kingpin and the fundamentals that the tractor pushes the trailer...I just am having trouble...