Backing...at truck stops

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ZhenyaP1991, Jan 25, 2016.

  1. Finalsomnia

    Finalsomnia Medium Load Member

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    I don't even stop at that one in Roanoke to fuel up, it's so ridiculously packed there.
     
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  3. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    Some of those truck stops are tight. The trailer needs to be in the hole before its straight so you don't smack trucks with the front bumper. If you are in a really tight spot sometimes it's better to stop the truck every time you turn the wheel, you can shave a couple feet off your radius versus turning while rolling.

    You'll get it with practice, and probably learn more from the hard spots. No pain no gain.
     
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  4. CargoWahgo

    CargoWahgo Road Train Member

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    Louisville, Kentucky
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    Drive at night.
    Park when everyone leaves.
    You'll have the whole lot.

    Meh you'll get used to it.
    I couldn't back for #### Friday but nailed everything on Wednesday first shot while flooring it with about the same room & markings.

    I've been to that pilot with the scale lined in front of most of the single row of spots as well. Whatcha do is say #### their scale and do your backing maneuvers on top of it. That one & the Indy pilot might be the two tightest in the country as far as pilots go for backing up.
     
  5. Bill51

    Bill51 Road Train Member

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    In a truck stop, emergency flashers are the accepted signal that you are backing.

    Just be careful trying to back into a spot near the entrance. I've seen some trucks come into truck stops at speeds I consider way too high. Also, wear something reflective when walking around so they can't say, "I didn't even see 'em."
     
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  6. scottlav46

    scottlav46 Road Train Member

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    Best reply ever
     
  7. Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    When you practice manouvers at a truck stop please do it around mega fleet trucks (Werner-Swift-JBHunt) and not close to a truck that is obviously an O/O. Thanks
     
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  8. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    This is why we carried orange cones, pop it out there and you could fuel, shower, eat and sleep at the pump! Don't try it without a cone!!!!
     
  9. CasanovaCruiser

    CasanovaCruiser Road Train Member

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    After an awfully humiliating experience at a Loves I learned to stick to the larger truck stops as a new driver.
    I didn't hit anything, just stressful as hell and took me way too long. Had about three trucks backed up waiting for me, I felt like the biggest jack ### lol
     
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  10. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    F em, let 10 back up if that's the timing, never let that pressure you. They all have to do it somewhere, nature of the beast! If they want to jump out and be your blind side eyes to speed it up, nobody is stopping them!
     
  11. FerrissWheel

    FerrissWheel Road Train Member

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    Backing is is a skill that needs to be developed over time. But the method I use for the tightest of the tight. Get your tandems lined up with the hole you want. Pull away at a 45. Straighten the truck in the lane so you have the room to swing the truck, jacknife and get under as necessary.

    You can also just pull straight through the middle of the lane well ahead of the hole and let the trailer just track into the hole almost by itself without much movement of the truck other than to get under it. Everyone has methods that work for them

    . In close quarters where you need to greease the trailer to squeeze it in you kinda have to get creative and come up with a solution just to get it into one spot, but if you have a good feel for how your trailer reacts you can get it in anywhere almost. When in doubt, pull the breaks and take a good look at the space around you, use it all.
     
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