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Backing

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Craig List, Jul 25, 2019.

Page 1 of 8
  1. Jul 25, 2019 #1
    Craig List

    Craig List Light Load Member

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    May 30, 2019
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    Ok, so I am trying to get my alkley dock down and my offset. Straight back I can pretty much handle. Are there any tips and tricks I can use?? Tried using the bottom of steering wheel as a reference, tried using the rear tires... Other times I can't see what the right side of my trailer or opposing side is doing in offset or alley. I know when backing right goes left and vice versa and I know to turn toward my "trouble " But half the time I can't tell which way to turn the trailer or even to make it move how I want of that sometimes i can't really tell how i am straight with the trailer or how much my wheel is left or right!!! I need a sure fire way to fix this.
     
    Craig List, Jul 25, 2019
    Craig List, Jul 25, 2019
    #1
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  3. Jul 25, 2019 #2
    Craig List

    Craig List Light Load Member

    153
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    May 30, 2019
    0
    Any sure fire tips to get backing down.
    Straight back is ok.

    Alley dock and offset are miserable.
    Over correcting & under correcting.
    Tried watching rear tires that didn't work, tried using lower half of steering wheel that doesn't work...
    Sometimes I don't know when I am in front of my trailer cause my mirrors seem like they are playing tricks.

    I can't tell when my wheel is turned due to the truck I guess like finding the left right and center after making so many ####ing turns....

    I need some help.
     
    Craig List, Jul 25, 2019
    Craig List, Jul 25, 2019
    #2
  4. Jul 25, 2019 #3
    Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    West Melbourne Florida
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    First, are you still in school, with a mentor or on your own solo?

    If solo, how long?
     
    Concorde, Jul 25, 2019
    Concorde, Jul 25, 2019
    #3
    FlaSwampRat Thanks this.
  5. Jul 25, 2019 #4
    Farmerbob1

    Farmerbob1 Road Train Member

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    Jan 17, 2017
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    Get a toy articulated truck and play with it. Seriously. If you are having issues seeing what is happening from inside the cab, try to get a different view.

    Three things that some drivers miss when backing, especially alley docks:

    1. Once your cab farings are close to touching the trailer, you are normally over 90 degrees between cab and trailer, and your trailer will rotate while moving FORWARD. This is really handy in some tight spots.

    2. Your trailer's rotation speed is not linear. Both forward and back. When you start a turn with the wheels all the way right or left, the trailer's rotation speed accelerates as the angle between truck and trailer changes.

    3. Worming is important in tight spots. If you are in a severely tight space, you can use 1 and 2 together, turning the wheel one way and then the other while inching alternately forward and back to worm your way into a tight spot.
     
    Farmerbob1, Jul 25, 2019
    Farmerbob1, Jul 25, 2019
    #4
    meechyaboy, Lepton1, x1Heavy and 2 others Thank this.
  7. Jul 25, 2019 #5
    CBR954RRider

    CBR954RRider Bobtail Member

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    Jul 25, 2019
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    Practice. I was in your shoes about 4 months ago I went through a company training school at for 4 weeks 2hrs a day mon-thurs. By the end I was only worried about my pre-trip. If you have access to a truck and trailer just set up some cones and practice.. I nailed everything at my driving course and I'm now over the road driving no problems.
     
    CBR954RRider, Jul 25, 2019
    CBR954RRider, Jul 25, 2019
    #5
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  8. Jul 25, 2019 #6
    street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

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    cold as hell, MN
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    Without being there all i can offer is this..

    Find a big ### open space to play in, start backing. Then ignore the steering wheel position. Drive the trailer wheels from your mirrors. Look beyond and say i want the trailer by that tree or whatever, then watch for that tree as you back, glancing at the trailer wheels. Say i want them to go that way, then do it. (Again big ### open space! ) most of us back without thinking. You are overthinking and over correcting everything. You will end up sideways, but you will realize that you were sawing the wheel all over the place. Then as you get it you will see that it takes a few seconds for steering input to make it to the wheels..

    Never mind..

    I just over completed this...


    Oh well...
     
    street beater, Jul 25, 2019
    street beater, Jul 25, 2019
    #6
    Farmerbob1, gentleroger, FlaSwampRat and 4 others Thank this.
  9. Jul 25, 2019 #7
    Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

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    Aug 2, 2012
    Connecticut
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    Man. I LOVE this site! Pros willing to give their advice. All the while getting EVERYTHING in my house to me. You people are simply awesome.
     
    Puppage, Jul 25, 2019
    Puppage, Jul 25, 2019
    #7
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  10. Jul 25, 2019 #8
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Turn the TOP of the steering wheel in the direction of the drift to straighten.

    Watch the tires, NOT the end of the trailer. They will follow two separate paths, and the further up your tandem is slid the greater that difference will be.

    Next time you’re in a big empty lot, pull forward about 3 truck lengths to be certain you’re straight. Adjust mirrors.
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 25, 2019
    MACK E-6, Jul 25, 2019
    #8
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  11. Jul 25, 2019 #9
    street beater

    street beater Road Train Member

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    cold as hell, MN
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    I can get away with being obtuse and aloof...

    Im a dispatcher/fleet manager nowadays...
     
    street beater, Jul 25, 2019
    street beater, Jul 25, 2019
    #9
    Lepton1, Farmerbob1 and Puppage Thank this.
  12. Jul 25, 2019 #10
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Sep 19, 2005
    Baltimore, MD
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    That’s right. You don’t know how to drive a truck anymore. :p




    :laughing-guffaw:
     
    MACK E-6, Jul 25, 2019
    MACK E-6, Jul 25, 2019
    #10
    meechyaboy, Lepton1, Dave_in_AZ and 2 others Thank this.
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