Anyone have any advice for a student on straight line backing?

Simplest advice I got was turn the opposite of what I would in my 4 wheeler then it clicked pretty quick after that

 

lmao , into a parking spot...

 

Then, in your third year you'll realize how much of a stupid idea that is and return back to doing it normally. LOL

Later on as you progress you'll likely want some advise on the 90 and 45 backing maneuvers. It's cool if you don't ask, there's a ton of threads about it already, but most do end up asking.

But the two bits I just remembered will help with all your maneuvers.

1) go buy an inexpensive toy version of what you intend to drive. Get something that's a good size, don't get anything hot wheels sized. But mess with that and see how it backs up. That seems to have helped some on here.

2) even if you get it and feel confident about the exam, if your school allows it then do yourself a favor and plan to pay for a review session on your maneuvers. Practice makes perfect and if you can put in that extra time it may make all the difference.

 

Small correction and.....STEER INTO DANGER.

If your getting close to something on your left, turn the wheel to the left. Steer into danger

 

I am in school now. As soon as I put my feet flat on the floor and got off the stupid clutch and break and trusted my instincts everything went smooth with the offset and alley dock. I can do the offset right with no pull ups and alley dock with no pull-ups or one or two. You just have to trust yourself and stop moving your feet and concentrate on the wheel. I read something on here that helped make it easy, point the bottom of the stearing wheel to where I want my trailor to go and that's what I do. You are in low reverse, you arent moving that fast. And if you have to use a pull-up, pull all the way up and get straight, take advantage of it. I had no problems straight backing. Pay attention to what the other guy who has no problems is doing and do what he does.

 

Don't forget, the guys who have done this for years and years even have days when they have more trouble.

Anyone who says they can get it in perfectly every time without issue is a liar.

If you use 16 pull-ups then you're still better off than the guy who hit something.

If in doubt, get your butt out of that seat and look. It'll save your job and according to some forum members, your neck.

 

I had trouble in school. My instructor told me to grab the wheel at the 3 and 9 positions. Don't let go. When you turn the wheel, the natural length of your arms is as far as you go

 

At night watch the lights at the very rear of the trailer, you should be able to see them both all the time. If one of them "disappears" you know you're off track.

 

This is the best response I've seen 1/4 turn in a straight line back is all you need. When my dad was teaching me to back he always said "slower is faster".

 

Unless its a drive test, which is kind of a lame rule, you get only so many pull ups and no more (or be failed for what's expected in practice, you know, I'd like to retest just be failed for too many "get out and looks", hold on, I gotta get all the angles, well I did practice with a measuring wheel)... and no it didn't happen to me, but someone I tried to help who was just a little too nervous that day (painful to watch, knowing the tester would throw in the towel, even after the driver didn't give up and got it backed in).