backing tips?

Get out and look.

Avoid blindsides ....ALWAYS

usually you can follow the stripes on the ground to stay straight backing into a dock

Trust your instincts only. Don't let another driver do it. Alot of people do try and help but there are others that will guide you right into someone elses truck.

Pull up as many times as needed. When I was in driving school they penalized us for to many pull ups.. not sure why..

 

Don't over steer. Turn the wheel slowly and gradually instead of zig zagging back and forth.

 

thats how my dad taught me when i was only 14 tears old and never forgot that he was a real truck driver no accdents in 35 years of driving otr

 

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...6l0l8189l21l21l0l13l13l0l324l1726l1.2.3.2l8l0

 

Set up with the tractor and the trailer right in line with each other, and a view of the slot in your mirror. Then back in using gentle corrections to guide and control drift and direction. Window down, seat belt off, clutch foot on the floor once in motion, nice and easy. Make a plan as you approach the whole task as to what your set-up is to be, and make another plan once you are set and ready to back. Get out and look as needed. STOP backing when it's goin south on you and pull up and start over.
Until your backing becomes intuitive, help it along by analyzing the parts of your maneuvers: what went well this time? what was the most troublesome? what part of the maneuver will I concentrate on next time?
If you can, you will also find it helpful to practice an extra back when you can. Pull out and do it over and try and make it better than the one before.

Advice is cheap:

1 Don't oversteer
2 Don't keep backing when a pull up is in order
3 Analyze your maneuvers
4 Practice when you can

 

RELAX! that's the hardest part for me. just take it easy and use all of your senses. you'll get it.

 

I always have a problem moving over to my right....I go right, then left and just get the dock back on my side where I can see it....sometimes I have to repeat this a few times to make it work.

 

Don't watch the trailer look at your tandems. If the tandems are not going to hit the truck or trailer then your trailer will not either. If you are in between two trailers you have to be mindful of the trailer swing for the trailer on the passenger side but generally the closer you are to the truck on your side the better. If in doubt get out walk around your truck and look. Also like someone else said practice as much as you can. When I go to a truck stop even if the lot is almost empty I always back in to a spot. This gives me practice. I also pretend there are two trucks beside me and try to hit the hole without going over the yellow lines. It just takes time but it will come.

 

Dont worry about other drivers watching you...thats whan I get all screwed up...when I have an audience.