Backing in at TS in tight situations?

Just think of Austin powers

You just have to work it in there, don't jack it in there, but just keep doing pull ups till you get it straight. Little bit at a time until you get a feel for it. Don't worry just takes time and practice.

 

You need a dump valve to drop the air on your trailer air bags.

 

If its a spread axle it should have a lift for the front axle if i rember right. If not , i would not know

 

Some of the larger flat bed companies don't have dump valves, because drivers can't be trusted to use it right.

 

“Should” is a broad statement, I’ve never pulled a flat with a lift axle.

 

Try the best you can to back the trailer in a smooth arc into the spot. Try not to turn to sharp where it will try to pivot in place, or a near pivot. Just shoot for a long curve into the spot.

It helps if the back of the trailer is a spot or two away from the one you backing into.

It's hard to do in tight lots, it helps to put the trailer real close to the truck on your sightside so the trailer has more room on the blindside to finish the arc, you won't need to turn as sharp, not much but it helps.

 

With a spread you've got to crank into it really hard to get to start turning, then straighten back out quickly because it will want to keep tracking into the turn. It will also turn at a different rate every time you back it up depending on the weight and the surface traction. I find it helpful to make multiple small pull-ups to keep adjusting the direction and rate of the turn, I don't care how many people look at me like I'm a rookie moron, they've never backed a spread. You really should have a dump valve for the back axle, I've had a spread axle curtain van with a lift on the front, that was paradise.

You should not jackknife it so hard that you run the risk of a tricycle situation, which is easier to do with a spread if you push it too tight.

Getting set up for the back is critical, if you don't have a system, figure one out. At a tight dock I start as close to the line as possible, pull up until the nose of the truck is in the center of the third door past the one I am aiming for, crank the steering hard right, pull up until the truck is perpendicular to the dock, then crank the steering full left and pull forward until I like the angle in the mirror.

Pulling a curtain van I get the worst of everything, tight-### docks for van loads, weird job sites and tiny lumber yards for flatbed freight. Don't even ask me about Home Depot stores. I have a motto-

If you're backin' a spread, you're pullin' ahead.
It don't mean you're a failure, it's just the nature of the trailer.

 

Avoid tight truck stops. It's actually quite easy to do.

 

Tight truck stops are good practice for all the other tight spots he's going to find that he can't avoid.