Backing tip from a noob.

It's been a long time since I learned to back, but I grew up playing a lot of pool. For me, figuring out which way to turn the wheel was a lot like lining up a pool shot.

 

I'd rather a driver get out and look 100 times and block the exit for 20 minutes than have him back into my truck. If I'm in that big of a hurry, I'll pull my brakes, get out of the truck and help the guy out.

 

I normally wouldn't attempt it but it was late and that spot was it. It was either that or roam around trying to find somewhere else to go and I was tired. Took a while to get er' in but I tell you what, my trainer was right. He told me one night you'll be tired and there's only going to be that hard to hit hole and by god, you'll get er in there then.

He was right. It felt like an accomplishment as I have no problem backing between two trailers with little space but put that truck there and you have to be midful not to take out the mirrors lol.

Since I've done it a few times but it's certainly my least favorite activity. I park betwwen trucks frequently when there's plenty of space to straighten out in front but I'm talking about the tough ones and you all know what I mean.

 

The only time you're not driving the trailer is when your bobtailing. You can get in just as much trouble going forward if your're not paying attention to that trailer.

 

And I agree wholeheartedly with you. Backing though, I found that thinking of the tractor was an unnecessary complication for me. If I want the TRAILER to do something, my hands know what to do with the tractor to cause that effect.
Now, I believe what you're saying is this:
a.) 4 wheeler driving: stare at taillights in front of you and stay in lane.
b.) Truck driving: Consider road speed, traction conditions under load weight, load location, load height, load stability, tire conditions, traffic ten cars ahead of you, to each side and behind you, wind speed, wind direction, lane changes, pavement tilt, curve gradients, diameters and width, hill slopes, gearing requirements, rpm and 20 dash readouts, dispatcher temperament and load ETA, hours of service, and fullness of your bladder.

I'm sure you guys can add to it all...

 

Be careful, Dbl-Time, while you are arguing with that other driver, he know's who you are, but you don't know who he is. I did that once and thought to myself, this guy could possibly damage my tractor or trailer while I'm sleeping.

 

If it's an especially tight hole, I have been known to pull the pins on the trailer tandem and work the length of this bridge from inside the cab of the truck (going all the way front to all the way to the back or somewhere in between with the trailer tandems).

Main thing, and I learned this from the man who taught me to drive years and years ago:

If you're backing into a dock and there are two trucks on either side of you, both drivers (big guys who look like they could put a serious hurt on Attila the Hun) on the dock watching, it would be best if it took you 30 minutes to get in that hole without hitting one of their trucks than to hit one or both. You know if you hit either of them, they are gonna come off that dock, pull you out of the truck, and make you wish you'd never even seen a truck let alone try to drive one.

 

Agreed, but in this situation the guy was setting right in front of me so I knew exactly who I was dealing with. Good point though.

 

Whack it as hard as you can, bounce off the sides a bunch and it'll finally go in the hole?

 

Instead of putting tape or paint all over your steering wheel, why not just put your hand at the bottom of the wheel. want the trailer to go to your left side?....swing your hand to the left. Go right?, swing right. Soon enough you'll be doing it without even thinking, and you definately won't be having to search for steering wheel marks.