90 Degree and Offset Backing

Even the old hands have days they couldn't hit a hole if it hair on it. Your driving the trailer, not backing a tractor. Test 90's are the easiest, other than ripping off a air line from jack knifing to tight.. you dont have to worry about anything other than where your going... take your time, see it in your head, kinda like riding a bike, where you look is where you go...

 

Wind the steering wheel to start the trailer moving around to where you want it, unwind the wheel enough to follow the trailer. There is a possibility she will pop right into the hole and really unwind it to straighten up.

Think about your trailer like a car with a really big front end (Your tractor) and watch your angle over the drives below the front plate of the trailer.

You will find real world backing to be much more "Pre-cise" than your test cones will be. If your trailer has moved too far to the left side a pull up will fix that as long you have room in front of your tractor.

In my day we used to have one move competitions at school. When everyone could do it it became a timed stopwatch race. Shortest time in wins. Hang in there.

Remember in the real world your backing will be steady and slow with constant checks that include getting out of the cab and walking back there to check.

There have been times Ive been told to pick a dock in a place with 30 docks open, a empty lot in front of all of them and due to fatique could not hit a one. Had to have one of the workers put it in for me. Just a little tidbit. Don't be over tired. It's worst than being drunk.

 

If you stay with trucking,eventually it (backing becomes second nature).After a long while...you pretty much know exactly how big your rig is and how much room you need and the angles etc.When I first started started sure,I was frustrated(getting the fish eye from dinosaurs that had been driving for 35 years).Sweat palming the wheel,sweaty head and all.Now its second nature.Your initial setup is what makes or breaks you.Try to keep as much of your trailer in view as you can and use your trailer tires as a pivot point guide.Im not above sticking my head out the window to see either.JMO

 

Dunno if you started on a manual, Bumba... but I fondly recall bunny-hopping the truck into my first few doors. Getting the clutch to the point where it would catch and release the gear... Funny as hell now; embarrassing as the same then.

 

Kinda like the first time you forget to drop into low range at the light....

 

First time you didn't drop low for reverse..... Unexpectedly the thing takes off like #### thru a goose.

 

Hey mom! Lookie here! I can 25 in reverse!



Oh ####! Im doing 25 in reverse!

 

I have been driving 9 years now and still have issues because I am never in the same truck two days in a row. I may go from one truck that has a very good turning radius to one that takes more than one would think to turn around. Last 90 degree back I did I got out and looked around 10 times. I didn't want to hit either trailer back there.

 

1: when backing, you're driving the tandems, not the end of the trailer. Other than watching (get out and look) your right side to make sure your trailer doesnt overshoot, it's all about your tandems.

2: lots of very good drivers have a hard time acquiring the skill of backing. Just keep at it and when you screw up, analyze what you did wrong.

3: a toy semi and trailer can be very helpful in demonstrating how backing a trailer works. Well worth the money.