Backing tips? Any advice before I hit something?

Don't aim for the middle hole, that just makes it harder for the next two guys after you, and leaves both sides of your truck exposed to potentially get hit.

Aim for the hole on the far right (if you are facing them), so you will backing next to a truck on your left (sight side). This way, you can put more attention on your sight side. Not only will you find it easier to back in next to a fixed object instead of just a line on the ground, but the next guy will appreciate that you left two spaces for him.

Other than that, keep getting out to look like you are doing!

 

You avoid trouble with the tail swing by not making sharp turns when you are near objects/vehicles. You also look at both sides of the trailer rear & beyond it to vehicles that will soon be near the rear of your trailer. When backing into a tight spot you stop the vehicle the instant you don't see or know what is behind you. You aren't hired to back up at a quick speed you have a job to NOT HIT ANYTHING. If that means you go slower or stop then you go as slow as you need or stop as often as needed. Ditto when finding customers go as slow as you need & ignore the cars wanting you to drive 75 mph until the entrance.

 

As soon as you improve backing start backing into 2 empty spots instead of 3. Back into the First empty spot beside a parked truck or trailer. That leaves an empty parking spot on your blindside or passenger side.

The real key is to just practice backing into a spot every time you stop the truck. I never rode with my tandems fully forward unless that was required for weight distribution of the load. It's just inviting trouble. I mostly positioned the tandems for legal weight & "bridge law" or "kingpin to rear axle law" or state maximum for semi-trailers. I don't know your circumstances that are causing you to drive with tandems forward.

 

You can always reposition your tandems after avoiding any potential outswing issues.

 

Put your tandems in hole 8-10 where they belong and you won’t have as much tail swing

Ask yourself how the trailer would come out before it goes in

 

What helped me the most was self taught and took me years to figure out.

Don't drive the trailer, drive the tires.

It tends to simplify the whole deal.

 

"Tail swing" is actually a VER-RY GOOD THING -- just not with trailers....

-- L