backing question

I'm by no means the most experienced trucker. But I had the pleasure to work for an LTL company in NYC for my first job. It's a tough place for backing but it really helped. I'd say there are 6 important things to remember and learn. If you follow that, it always works out.
1. Set up: this is very important as it can make it really easy or difficult. Remember to always use as much space as there is available, even if you think you won't need it.
2. Tandem prediction: learn to predict the movement of your trailer when backing. Look at your tandems and you should know where they are gonna end up, if you continue backing in your current angle/direction.
3. Never be afraid to get out and look. I do it more than twice when it's tight. I don't care about other truckers waiting or looking. They can either turn around, go around me or wait. But I won't rush into a spot and I won't guess if I'm clear or not. Now for this step, if you stay as close as possible to the truck on your left (the one that you can see) then generally you should be clear. But be careful with your tail swing.
4. CB on/off: this is controversial as driver differ in views here. I say it's up to the person. I turn mine off, I've noticed that drivers more often than not, making sarcastic remarks or cracking jokes when you take too long to back up. A few times, the driver on my blind side offers to help. This is up to you. Another thing that goes in hand with this, if someone is helping you out and you are unsure, then get out and check. If you hit something while someone is helping out, I guarantee you that they walk away calling you nice names and it is your responsibility 100%.
5. Tight spots: especially at truck stops. Know your limits, never try to park in a tight spot just because it's closer to the pumps or to the truck stop itself. Pick big spots until you get better or use tight ones only if you have no choice. I personally park as close to the Petro buffet line as possible, but even now I avoid it if it will cause too much problems.
6. Final point and self explanatory: never back more than what you absolutely have to. I've seen drivers backing up through the whole truck stop just to get somewhere quicker.

 

First, I've been driving for over four years. I still have a cautious pessimism when backing at a truck stop. The truth is, I can back. Very well in fact. But, I always fear hitting the truck on my blind side and I come in too close to the truck on the driver side.

I don't think that 'fear' will ever leave. If I have to hit a spot, I can hit it. Whether I have to get out and look, or not. That's one key. Always get out to look if you're unsure. I don't give a **** what other drivers think if I get out to look. Even if it turns out what I'm looking at is a wide open spot with no chance of hitting anything. I wouldn't know that unless I got out to look.

Part of the truck stop thing is "I don't HAVE to do it, so therefore I can probably pass on it". A dock, drop yard, etc is different just because you have no choice. You have to hit that spot.

Whenever I help a newbie, it amazes me just how much I've progressed compared to when I started. Yet, I feel just as nervous today as I did on Day 1.

 

Get out and look often. I do. I take my time. Don't want to smash that other guy's shiny Pete.

I ask for a spotter if I get into a jam. Most drivers are helpful. I've been on my own only ten days.

Good luck. Be patient and remember that every back is different. Even if you do the same places often.

 

What little backing I do Get a good mental picture of the situation. Overhanging roof or curb sticking out,ect. If you have stopped to back up, for any length of time check to make sure some clown hasn't slipped in behind you or your blind side. Always sound your horn and turn on your 4 ways. That way you CYA if a knothead tries to blown by you from behind. Back up as little as possible that the highest risk for accidents.

 

One time I had my dad with me in the truck since I had a condo cab and he wanted to go trucking for a week.

My dad and I are both the "scientific" types. When other boys' fathers were teaching them how to play baseball, mine was teaching me how the lawnmower engine works.

Going down the road, we were talking about all the old trick films he made with Super-8 cameras back in the 60's and 70's that I had recently transferred to computer files by having each frame scanned at a camera shop and then re-animating the frames. (We'd tried just setting up the video camera on a tri-pod in front of the projector screen but it didn't turn out right.)

That gave me an idea.

Next time we were LEAVING a parking spot at a truck stop, I had my dad get out with my digital camera and shoot video of me pulling OUT and to the right, and continue filming until I was straightened out in the aisle, and purposely shoot at an angle that would not show brake lights or the tail end of the tractor, so I wouldn't have to photoshop each frame to make it look like the reverse lights were on. Then I reversed the video to make it look like I blind-sided into that space in one shot, no pull-ups, no stopping to G.O.A.L., etc.

Since then I've shown the video to LOTS of people, even experienced truck drivers, and it's hilarious because NOBODY guesses that the video is reversed even though in the background you can see a guy appear to be walking backwards in the distance.

I had one older guy about my dad's age actually start YELLING at me for being so reckless.

 

Your dad sounds like a cool joe.

 

I've been doing this for years and I still don't like to try and park in between two trucks at night. I am so paranoid I am going to hit some o/o's new pete. Anyway, the only way you are going to get better is with practice. Just like everyone else has said. Just take your time and get out and look. Also don't be to proud to let other drivers help you.

 

The smartest thing you said in all that was,Ill hit the easy hole.Why would you be trying for anything else.Always take the easy one.Everytime you back you take a chance on hitting something.Why would you make it more difficult on yourself.90 PERCENT OF ACCIDENTS IN THIS PROFESSION COME WHILE BACKING.Think driver think.You have plenty of time to become proficient in your skills.But if you back into a few people,you will have plenty of time in another career.When practicing,pick your spot on the ground where you need your tandem tires to hit in order to back to the proper place.Then arc your tandems to that spot.

 

Pull your tractor past your spot. about 5 feet. turn rt.90 deg. go to next row about 10 ft. from next row turn lt. go till your past your spot. turn rt. back slowly yout trl should be half assed lined up.Just rule of thumb.Depends on all of stuff. where trl tandams are all kinds of stuff. But you should be in ball park. hope this helps