BAcking Up

Each person learns a different rate. Took me a few weeks. I was the same way as you, never backed anything but a car or my pickup. If you have hauled a boat or trailer then you will be ahead of the game. Learn straightline backing first. That is the basis for every manuever. Learn to read fhe trailer and you will be fine.

 

Some people pick up backing quickly and some have been driving for 5 years and still can't back up . If you are going to a good CDL school you will have better training and that should help more then going to a company paid training one. Just take your time and never be in a hurry and you will do fine.

 

Sometimes I put it in the slot on the first try, other times it takes several pull-ups and readjustments. Some days I look like a pro with a lifetime of driving experience while backing, other times I look like a newbie right out of the gate. Some drivers never have problems, some always have problems. The majority of us are somewhere in between. Some days are better than others. You will improve with time but they won't let you graduate an accredited school without achieving the minimum standards required for backing.

 

I'm one of those lucky ones. I started my driving career with those 53' Bulk Tankers and am now driving a smooth bore tanker. Did the reefers and boxes too. The most important part of backing into any slot is the initial set-up. If you understand that your trailer is going to take about 5 feet before it even begins to respond to what you are doing in your tractor, you'll have less problems making the predicted maneuvers.

Straight line backing, as Buckeye Cowboy said, is the most important skill to learn when backing. Just remember, if you can't control a straight line, you sure as hell aren't going to make a decent turn.

 

You will get it with some practice. Everyone will offer you advice in school but the best teacher is you getting in the truck and practicing without someone over your shoulder.

 

Rent a uhaul trailer for one day. Go to empty parking lot and practice all day. This will give you a jump start when you go to school. Backing a rig is the same only that the timing is different. Just don't damage the uhaul in the process. Take your time.

 

Excellent info by the posters before me, but wanted to add that if you have an instructor that has the right "knack" in explaining some of the "variables and mechanics" in backing, it helps makes things "click" a bit quicker.

I, unfortunately, had to learn this on my own thru experience/practice, and learning to watch the rear tandems, not just the tail of the trailer.
Very soon after "training" things suddenly "clicked", and I was angle/dock backing pretty dern good under any variable condition. I'm referring to what position your trailer (sliding) tandems are set (forward or to the rear), as well as trailer length. These 2 variables greatly affect how the trailer "steers" while backing. The same trailer with rear tandems slid in a different position will act like a whole new animal trying to back. By knowing the "mechanics" of backing, you know how to adjust.

First things first, tho. All of this comes AFTER getting comfortable and skilled at straight line backing! Straight line backing is key!
You're in the exact same boat as everyone who started, bar none! No worries, you'll learn with practice & patience.
You'll never attain "bad-day proof" backing,, none of us have!

 

Are you in Chicago ? Which driving school you going to ?

 

Welcome to the forum.I'll admit for most backing is the hardest thing to learn.People forget they're backing a trl and think they're backing their personal auto.Everybody learns at a different pace like cowboy said.What helped me is I went to truckstops where I live and got some advice from truckers.It'll be awhile before you have to worry about any dock.What you'll have to worry about is those stupid annoying orange cones.