Backing tip from a noob.

I've been thinking about putting one or two wraps of electrical tape at the top center of the steering wheel so that I would have a tactile point of reference for my steer wheels. This on top of GOAL should be easier then having a white spot to have to turn around and look for.

 

the way i was taught was easy and stuck with me
"TURN TOWARDS THE PROBLEM"

 

I have magnetic SWIFT signs I just put on my truck before I start backing and wallah for some reason I have all the room in the world to maneuver. Other trucks just seem to vanish.

 

LMAOOO!!!!!

 

Some days I back great and others I look like I've never done it before lol. Looking at the tires and imagining an imaginary line guiding them where they need to go is helpful. Always try to get your trailer as straight to the hole as possible (not always possible obviously).

I still struggle with oversteering at times but one driver told me a good tip that helps when you learn to trust it. Hold your right arm at the top center of the steering wheel. For the majority of backs you do, you will never have to go past the bottom center on either side of the wheel. It does work for most backs too. Jacknife backs are a little different, but the angle backs it works very well.

Also, if your backing into a tight hole with little room for error, slide the tandems all the way to the back. This allows you to get closer (but not too close lol)to the object on your drivers side and jacknife it in without worrying about the tail swing swiping an object. Just be mindful of your nose swing as you can still swing the front out too far and pull up as many times as you need to, the real world doesn't dock points for it.

 

That's why Schneiders back that way ! The have problems in every direction !

 

On a serious note I have found that USUALLY if I have trouble it is because the setup was wrong to begin with so why set there and try to work it inch it swing it for 10 or 15 min when it is easier to just set back up right. It takes less time and it is always easier to back in when setup properly.(unless you have the problem of over correcting and what not)

 

i wondered why that punkin driver was "Army backing" the other day! LEFT LEFT, LEFT RIGHT LEFT

 

I've been known to do that from time to time lol. Oversteering is difficult to overcome.

 

The only problem with the tandems all the way back is, the trailer takes longer to react to input at the steering wheel. I do all my backing with the tandems set at the 41-42 foot setting. A tight hole with limited space in front like the parking lot at WAWA in Breinigsville PA would make it difficult if not impossible with the tandems all the way back. But on the plus side there is no overhang to worry about.

The guys that run at 40 foot and shorter are the guys that worry me.... with all that overhang.