Cheating at reversing a semi

When you backup enough then you develop a feel for where the far corner/end of the trailer is. It's not really an issue.

Sure, it would be nice. but then again, IMO, it would enable Learned Helplessness.

I think we do need better better camera systems on trucks for liability reasons. A front facing camera (dash cam) isn't enough to paint a clear picture leading to "events".

 

A car is longer than a you haul trailer, it's just makes everything worse. That trailer will spin quickly to either side and you will NEVER get under it with a longer towing vehicle. (Your car etc)

 

It’s much harder to back up a U-Haul trailer than a 53” trailer. Back when I was learning how to back trailers in November and December (after 20 years driving buses), I also considered wifi cameras, but was advised by trucker friends that I just needed to practice, that it would get easier with time. They were right! I’ve only really wished I had a backup camera once, doing a blindside into the last open spot in a Flying J late one night in a heavy rain. I was incredibly lucky, another trucker got out of his truck and guided me in, getting drenched in the meantime. Thank you, friend, wherever you are!

 

Most of the accidents I see out here are forward movement accidents. Pulling out of parking spots, driving around a truck stop and tearing off another’s hood..etc.

That there is the reason I never park on the end of a row or use a pull through spot. I avoid pull through spots because they are mostly desirable to the mega carrier drivers..

Want to become a good “Parker”?
Do what I did from day one, park in the back row.. Not unheard of for me to move multiple times because I cannot stand the sound of an APU.. Put a reefer on both sides of mine with a -10* load and I sleep like a baby.

As far as backup cameras go, IMO they are useless. You need to learn the craft of backing.

No camera out there will assist you in your setup for a backing maneuver. If you don’t get the setup right your camera is useless. Once you learn the proper ways to setup you’ll find the camera to be a useless distraction..

Where I would find a camera useful would be one that continually monitors my blind spot (passenger side below the door) I find that the rectangular training mirrors don’t do the same job as the old round style ones did..

 

I would be amazed if nobody already has a backing camera for sale. I know I have heard of people using remote cameras on trailers.

 

Ive hauled pup trailers, heavy equipment, tankers..,,,single axle dinghy trailers for lawn mowers lol..I can tell you this, the shorter the distance from the tires to the pivot point (hitch, fifth wheel) is what makes it a nightmare. pups n shorter trailers will jacknife in a heartbeat, and a vehicle with a poor turning radius just adds insult to perceived performance deficiency. backings like everything else, keep at it and you'll get #### good, just dont kill anyone or the truck in the process. IF you think it could be useful as a training aid, go ahead and do it if it shortens the time it will take you to get good without it (use it as a coach, a double check, what-have you) and makes you safer. Just google "4 way backup camera system", should lead you to something ya like". But like the other drivers, I HIGHLY advise developing habits that will give you confidence and the knowledge/feel to do without. I have monocular vision (can only see with one eye, was shot in the other) And ive been called a #### good driver at several companies, now I backup in the dark and put a 35 foot long boom in the 2 foot wide openings in feed tanks in the middle of night with minimal lighting. If I can get good at backing up, anyone can. But develop your situational awareness at all costs, better to look overly cautious and not hit anything than overconfident and come up on the insurance companies radar.

 

Who need a backup camera just give me a spread axle and i put that sucker wherever u need it , take my mirrors while u at it. Just give em back before i hit the scalehouse

 

I like the ones on my freight shaker.. Just got to get them adjusted right and eliminates all blindspot on right side.. Except right next to ur right fender at night. #### near ran somebody off the road the other day cuz their tiny little car i couldnt see him in mirror or on side and was to dark. O well

 

There is no cheating, learn the right way and your good to go. How will you handle the camera if you do several drop and hooks a day?