Offset backing

Its really just a parallel park and it will often get you the last parking spot at the truck stop

 

I got my CDL 6 or 7 years ago and I had to back straight up for 100 feet, left offset, and 90 degree alley dock... No one I have ever met has been tested on parallel parking. Maybe ut depends on where you are in the country... I got my CDL in Idaho.

 

All this counting and using landing gear as reference... Sounds like a good way for a rookie to back right into something expensive!!!

Learn to "drive the tandem" where you want it to go... Once you wrap your head around "driving the tandem" backing becomes soooo much easier.

 

That is true. As I am guilty

 

This is correct.
Backing up and counting seconds etc has to be about the dumbest thing I have read yet on here...and I've read some really stupid ####.
And your landing gear has nothing to do with backing up.
The back of the trailer can hit something...or the front of the truck can while you swing wildly and are not paying attention to the front of your truck to. While your busy counting and looking for your ####ing landing gear you could have just hit 3 things, plus ran over a granny with her walker. Use some common sense and stop the BS.

 

I feel like I should clarify my response pertaining to looking at the landing gear. Pay attention to your surroundings and glance at the gear until comfortable with the maneuver then you'll know the position of your truck just by feel and wont have to look any mor .

 

I never heard of the landing gear method. When backing there is a point where truck and trailer is at the "breaking point". That's the point between where you start getting a lot of movement and before the point you can get back in front of the trailer, without doing a pull up. It'll be different whenever you move your tandems. Once you get a feel for it you'll recognize it immediately. You'll have the most control just as you enter the breaking point. As you enter the breaking point is when small adjustments make big differences.

Also, its better to back in tight on the drivers side. You can see that side and if you see its too tight you can pull forward 10 feet or so to fix it. Too wide and you gotta completely redo your entire setup.

Also, most instructors are good at getting students to pass the test. You'll do your real learning after you get your CDL. So probably just listen to your instructor and ask him questions if it dont make sense right away.

As others have said, when backing, you are driving the trailer not the truck.

 

Every state does it differently. In Mississippi you will get 3 out of 6 possible maneuvers. You are guaranteed straight line backing, you are guaranteed either a right side or left side offset, then you will get either alley dock, right side parallel parking, or left side parallel parking.

 

Arkansas is alley dock, straight line, left offset

 

FL was the same way, at least in 2013. The test is randomized for each person. I had straight line, sightside offset, & blindside parallel park..