Backing a trailer is a no-brainer breeze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am glad that you came to this realization before hitting something.
I knew that eventually you would understand what we were saying, but I left this thread alone after the beginning and was playing a wait and see.

Backing takes time and practice. It is not hard in some ways, but it is not really easy either. It takes practice and really good spacial awareness.
Always respect that swing also. I keep my tandems back as far as I legally can at all times for backing.
Much safer to back without all that swing.

 

I just found this thread. 12 pages later here I am.

That's a good start walstib. The longer the trailer, the more forgiving they are. Back in school I scored perfect on the obstacle course and the instructor even had me work with other students. It's a good feeling to overcome a challenge and do good. But don't get the big head. Every back is different and a new challenge. Especially when you limit your swing radius. Add being tired on top of it compounds things. I think you'll get around fine without hitting anything.

 

Or like pushing a wagon. Good tip.

 

I have that same issue. I do however if I have to get out a million times but I get so nervious when everybody starts watching me and that's when I mess up. I started turning my cb off too. When I would be backing I would hear driver laughing or joking about me and my confidence would go right out the window. I still struggle with backing but hopefully with more time and practice it'll be better.

 

Thankfully, I don't have a CB yet and so far, I haven't seen a need for one other than having someone to yap at on a long lonely stretch of road...

I'm also going to take Chrome's advise and start to keep my tandems back as far as I can as it's the swing that makes me so nervous more than anything else...

 

Just give them a one finger salute, and keep doing what you're doing.

 

One thing with backing everyone tends to do sometimes is over-correct.

It doesn't take much turning action to get the trailer jacking the way you want it.

Also over-steering it when you are "getting back under it", or straightening it out.

 

If I ever get the chance when at one of our terminals, I plan on using the time to practice some more...It now seems all the practice I've had wasn't enough....

 

Lol have fun out there. I had to shove a PAM Truck into the Kansas City Caves.

 

If you've got the room to do it, then by all means do it. Granted some shippers/receivers will require you to slide the tandems all the way to the back anyway.

Never blindside back unless you really really have to.

Backing at school around cones is no pressure at all. Hit a cone, no big deal. At a truck stop though, that's someone's pride and joy you just hit. (assume other truck was an O/O)

If you're doing a difficult back at a truck stop, I say keep the CB on. Aside from the naysayers and negative people you will find drivers around the spot you're trying to get into genuinely want to help you get in that hole without hitting anything or anyone. It's happened to me and I've done it to other drivers as well.