Backing

Have patience. You wil it get real soon. I used to have my students or trainees, if all possible, to practice by themselves, with no one else making them nervous. Middle of the day you can take 15 min and pull into a truck stop and practice way out back in the parking lot.

 

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What I used to do in the beginning was turn the wheel all the way and start backing to lock up the tandems then start straightening the cab, once the trailer was lined up to the spot I pull up once to get straight and back in. For some reason this was easier to me, since I was always scared of hitting the truck on the bind side. I wouldn't really recommend doing this too much because it will tear up your trailer tires quick, but it may be easier for you too.

And as other have said starting position is real important and practice. Some of the places are a real pain in the behind to back into with no room to pull up. I still remember the first time I went to deliver inside the caves in Independence MO ,it must've taken me an hour.

 

One thing you can do to make it simpler is to place your hand at the very bottom of the steering wheel. Then if you want the trailer to move towards the driver's side, move your hand and the wheel towards the driver's side. If you want the trailer to move towards the passenger's side, move your hand and the wheel towards the passenger side. Same effect as having your hand at the top of the steering wheel and moving it in the opposite direction you want the trailer to go, without having to think about it.

 

backing defintely get EASIER, but never easy. best advice i have for anyone (other than the whole practice thing) is get out and look. dont be intimidated or embarrassed about getting out of the truck 4,8,12,20 times if necessary. if you do not KNOW the back of your trailer isnt going to hit the other trailer, the yellow post, or the cab of that other truck, then get out again. ive been driving far longer than you, and i will STILL occasionally be the guy that the other truckers may be laughing at cause he got out AGAIN. i dont care about them...i wont ever see them again most likely. i care that i get into the space/door SAFELY AND WITHOUT INCIDENT.

 

ugh!!! i HATE those darn underground warehouses!

 

I love backing up! My favorite part of driving. My wife always tells me I'm better at backing up then driving forward lol

 

I've been driving about a year and a half.It definitely gets easier.Only thing I have to add is that you shouldn't let anybody back your truck in for you.You won't get better if you don't do it yourself.I've asked other drivers how to set up for a hole when confused about the best way.Most will help you.As for the buttholes that don't remember what it was like being new,screw em.Ask the next guy.

 

you might want to get a cb. not to hear people laughing at you, get a handheld cb too. If someone offers to help you, give them the handheld and put them on channel 12 or something. That way they can tell you which direction to turn your wheels and stuff or keep in communication even if they can't see you.

 

I have said this a bunch of times to new drivers. Buy a toy truck w/trailer and practice with that so you get the visual of the setup and then go practice it in the big truck as the others have said.