Backing

There are LOTS of tips. However, everyone learns differently.

 

Watch youtube videos before and after every back. There are tons of them on backing. Search here for entire threads with backing videos.

 

The more you try and research and listen to people, the worse it gets.

You gotta get in a large open lot and do it.

It’s something that just clicks. You have to feel it to understand it

 

There is a whole world for human knowledge to pass onto you in your own language ways you can understand how to do something. Backing is sometimes something difficult for some. Once I thought I was the idiot until I realize the truck is just doing whats its going to do unless you master it. And then get it into the hole.

That is not half as hard on being a high mountain top and going gulp looking down a downgrade That was my big problem. Instructors did nothing but mountain work on me. Even a few ridge running for what it is where trucks are not really suppose to go. If it fits it goes.

I found a 5 acre lot. Walked to one corner and yelled at my trainee (Spouse) put that trailer back here pointing down at my feet. Nothing around us. She managed.

And again here.

That's better again. Here.

Griops... now now remember your drill. This is your drill you master it and don't think it just do it.

Here.

Next thing she knows she is going between trailers to my here deep in the hole. Not very well but adequate.

I had her working on me with that big trailer never mind the tiny space we had to work with in the end. Every time I did here with her we did it in a smaller space.

To this day I never use the word Here in that tone and force. Those days are over. I get a skillet into my skull for my trouble ha.

 

Something that I found helpful when first starting was to take a bottle of water (or anything else easily visible) and put it at the end of the spot on the drivers side. It acts as an easy point of reference and something to avoid (like another truck) and seemed to make it easier to get into a spot. Get your tandems next to it close as possible then while continuing to back and pushing the trailer into the spot maneuver your drives so they line up with the tandems and the painted line, then bring your steer tires into alignment with the tandems and your drives. All the while trying to keep your trailer from ever going over the object you placed.

 

Are you really completely incapable of backing into a reasonably open spot, or are you able to do it if you get out and look a few times?

 

And as a second part to the question calls to the Person's fatigue levels, frustration and mental state. When you are beyond a certain point of being precise and correct in actions like backing a semi you will never back anything anywhere. I have been there sometimes in the past.