90-Degree Backing Help and Finding The Pivot Point

i also suck at the 90 degree angle. I keep jack knifing to the point where I can't fix it.

 

I really got good at it when I decided to do it my own way instead of what the instructor told me... I do not have a lot of time to describe what I am about to say in detail, but if you think about it everything you do backing up is just like straight backing. When your trailer swerves to the left, you turn right. So if you want your trailer to make a hard left, you turn hard to the right. When the trailer tandems are centered between the cones (or at least where you want them to be), stop and turn your wheels to the left to make your tractor align with your trailer. If done correctly you should see your trailer in your mirrors again and know whether to turn to the left or right depending on which direction your trailer is pointing like a normal straight back.

The second you see your rear trailer tires sliding sideways, begin to straighten out your tractor. I am not a pro, but I do remember sucking at it until I finally understood how to make the trailer go where I wanted.

 

I think driving a yard dog gave me the best experience for backing.You gotta put trailers in some pretty hairy spots sometimes.Big difference in tractor sizes of course,but gave me the basics for setting up,and was very valuable seat time.
Some days,though I cant hit a hole for nothing,usually at the end of the day when my arse is draggin

 

If you guys think thats hard wait until you gotta do a blindbacking from a 4 way avenue to a dock where your truck barely fits in.

 

Make only small adjustments if possible. Hardest spot for me: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/boskeeter/101911132743.jpg

 

Something others have used is a model. That way you can see from every angle what happens when you turn the cab a bit one way or the other.

Mikeeee

 

Remember you aren't steering the truck, you're steering the front of the trailer.

 

Great line, heard it long ago. Take awhile for it to really sink in.

 

Actually you are steering the rear of the trailer with the front of the trailer.

Mikeeee