Backing 10' 2" splits

Well the ones I ran was in the 80's. They rode pretty good for being a spring ride setup. The spread helped in the ride, but turning and backing was a treat.. When I first started driving I pulled an air ride spread. Then when I had to pull a tamdem trl. I really had to relearn how to ld. the lds. Then went back to a spread..

 

The way I was taught was to keep the tires rolling when turning and you have less of a chance to damage a tire. When the wheels are turning you are not likely to be sliding them sideways.

 

The rate at which it will turn varies with the surface, concrete vs gravel for example. You have to back into it harder to get it to start turning, then once it starts to go around you have to over-correct to straighten it out. If you're backing in to a dock that's in a pit, when the back axle goes over the edge it will spin on the front axle. If you're pulling out of a steep driveway it will pivot on the back axle when the front one loses contact.

Without a dump valve I generally look for a double wide hole to back into in truck stops. I load at some shippers docks that are so tight I insist on a double wide slot.

The 3 most important things are practice, practice, and a dump valve. And remember-

If you're backin' a spread
You'll be pullin' ahead
It don't mean you're a failure
It's the nature of the trailer
Turn off the 2-way, ignore all that crap
& you'll slide it in, like a real big strap

 

You have to be picky about where to park. You can't be jacking it tight to get in a tight hole when loaded. Unless you don't mind paying a couple grand in tires just to get into that hole. Get in the truckstops early if you can, to get a back corner spot or front row pull through. Or else, plan on shutting down somewhere less crowded. I like independent truckstops with dirt lots. Dirt and gravel slides better than pavement. Also do my turns SLOW and WIDE. If you ever get a dump valve or lift axle, keep in mind you can't have a winch set over the tire. All that extra weight will push the winch into the tire and tear it up.

 

I avoid tight holes. If I need a shower and laundry, I try to get into a truck stop before the spaces start filling up. Else I'll use a rest stop or off ramp to spend the night. Its particularly gruesome on the tires when loaded and needing to turn tight. As it is I'm doing good if I get 1 year out of a set of tires. Anything that would shorten that life span is money wasted to me.

The actual process of turning in varies on location, tarmac, uneveness of the surface etc. There really isnt any secret or tips to really give or apply. I feel it has more to do with the driver and his ability to properly set up the trailer for an alley dock then anything else. Practice makes perfect in my opinion. If you are uncertain or need practice, try to find time at a truck stop and choose a spot that has 3 spaces open, then attempt to put it in the middle as if there were 2 trucks on either side. Spend as much time as you need.

I spent half a day with a co-driver doing this a few years back. He needed practice backing,.. I got him to back in and he was like ok,. how was that. I said fine, now lets try it again until you can do it with only 1 or 2 pull ups. Not 15. He didnt like that answer. But after 50 or so tries, he finally started to get the hang of it. Not sure if he ever appreciated the help,. I was hard on him. But some guys need that sort of encouragement,.. I didnt fail to recognize when he was doing better. But he was at his stress limit by then and I was the reason for it as I continued to push him to try and try some more. We were on a 34 hr restart with nothing else to do. So instead of allowing him to F off all day,.. I made him learn something. Hopefully it actually helped him and he didnt hold too much resentment towards me for pushing so hard.

Hurst

 

The Jedi master passes on his craft.

 

The main problem backing up a spread is attitude! Driver pulls a spread for the first time and is convinced he can't back it up! Battle is therefore lost!
I pulled and owned 45 and 48 foot flatbed spreads in and around the NY metro area and had very little trouble getting around. Yes they are a little trickier to get around with compared to a regular tandem but certainly not impossible! With or without dump valves and with long and short wheelbase tractors. It's all in the mindset of the driver. Go with the attitude that "I can do this" and you will learn what you can do and what doesn't work.
Part of the problem that I've seen with drivers backing is piss poor training! Watched certain trainers with a mega come into our yard with newbies giving no proper advise whatsoever! You see these poor newbies in a wide open yard backing to the blind side before you know it for no reason!
Easiest way to back a spread?
Do it with a yard truck!
Trailer turns like a dream...........

JD

 

I dont know about all that. I'm just a stickler when it comes to doing something I find simple and someone who needs to get it right doesnt have the patience to take the time to learn it on his own.

Hurst

 

Just read this thread, and I was wondering how much harder it is to handle a spread tandem than my single tire, triple axle parking lot with 17.5's on it? I've never measured my spread, but I'm guessing it's probably right about 8-9', usually right about 30k on the trailer. I run the Continentals with 4 grooves, so they slide before they roll over like most other tires out there.

 

Is it a stinger hitch? That would make it an entirely different animal?