Backing up trailers

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ddr1992 579, Jul 13, 2021.

  1. Gsm

    Gsm Light Load Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2018
    Messages:
    108
    Thanks Received:
    198
    0
    I back my trailer on a dime blindfolded...... I back my kids jetski trailer.... I butcher every time
     
  2. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2011
    Messages:
    12,341
    Thanks Received:
    92,292
    Location:
    PNWET
    0
    After backing a single piviot try maneuvering 2 pivots. Everything is reversed.
     
  3. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2007
    Messages:
    7,688
    Thanks Received:
    7,777
    Location:
    Rosamond, SoCal
    0
    I would think the answer, is that yes a 53 streched out is easier than a 20' pup. At least to me. The only other consideration is swing room for the long hood I like to have.
     
  4. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2020
    Messages:
    4,198
    Thanks Received:
    22,261
    Location:
    South Texas
    0
    Two receivers in a row thanking me over and over because "it's so nice to have a guy that knows how to back up".
    Then at the very next shipper I'm pulling up six times to hit a hole and got out of my truck red faced with embarrassment, I get out to the dock workers telling me to move because this is a step-deck dock. Jesus, I wanted to just drive away....
     
  5. homeskillet

    homeskillet Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2013
    Messages:
    5,950
    Thanks Received:
    44,435
    Location:
    Dayton, OH
    0
     
    God prefers Diesels Thanks this.
  6. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2008
    Messages:
    14,287
    Thanks Received:
    27,468
    Location:
    Somewhere out West, in my mind.
    0
    Yes
     
    homeskillet and Speed_Drums Thank this.
  7. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2007
    Messages:
    7,688
    Thanks Received:
    7,777
    Location:
    Rosamond, SoCal
    0
    It happens. Just to be at the Airmail postoff off Normandy at LAX, these guys would swing in there and bam in the dock, just made it intimadating, but after a couple of nights of backing in to tight spots 5 and 6 times a night it got better. Line on the cement are a wonderful thing.
     
    God prefers Diesels Thanks this.
  8. Frank Speak

    Frank Speak Road Train Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2016
    Messages:
    4,519
    Thanks Received:
    13,822
    0
    Harder isn’t the descriptor I would use. They just react faster so you just adapt your timing. Whenever I see a trailer wagging it’s usually because the driver is backing too fast to keep up with it.
     
  9. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2016
    Messages:
    3,850
    Thanks Received:
    20,210
    Location:
    Eastern Iowa
    0
    In the height of my yard dog career, I got to the point where I could (and often did) back 53’ trailers into an internal dock, while talking on the phone and writing on my note pad at the same time.

    Around the same time, I once tried to show off to my neighbors by attempting to back my lawn sweeper out of the garage with my riding lawnmower. I embarrassed myself miserably.
     
  10. Six9GS

    Six9GS Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2012
    Messages:
    1,473
    Thanks Received:
    3,695
    Location:
    Yuma, AZ
    0
    I don't think any specific trailer length is harder than another. It's simply your experienced match to it. If you're experienced with pups, you're probably gonna struggle with a 53 and vice versa.
    One of the jobs I had in college was at a local general aviation airport and would move little Cessnas and Pipers around alot. There's a double reverse in the mechanics of doing that and can be tricky to get used to, but once you can do, it's easy. Try doing it without practice and some training, good luck with that!!!
    My opinion at least.
     
    Powder Joints Thanks this.