Backing

I also sometimes still screw up, but alot of it depends on the dock. Some docks are easier than others, so sometimes I can back into a hole without a single pull-up while other times it will take 1 or 2. A few important things to remember:

1) The trailer pivots on the tandems. It doesn't pivot at the back. If you slide the tandems all the way back, it'll become easier.

2) Steer into the problem. If the trailer sways too far left, steer left. If it sways too far right, steer right.

3) You will spend all day backing into a hole if you can't set the truck up properly. Most backing problems student drivers encounter are linked to a improper setup.

 

one day you will back up and think wow I did it.I sometimes get to docks and once Im in think about how hard it would of been when I first started driving.practice at a mt warehouse when you are sitting.

 

I disagree!!! I have it (in words) right here....thank God for saving documents...I really wouldn't want to type the whole thing time after time!

Use the steering wheel to your advantage! Everybody teaches "steer the opposite direction"...bad thinking, poor instruction!

Your visual part of your brain is already doing a "reversal" with all the information coming in through the eye...it has to reverse the image to be processed. So when you try to think "opposite" you actually are stressing yourself a bit more. Here is the trick I taught all my students for 15 years:

The top of the steering wheel turns the direction you want going forward, the bottom of the steering wheel turns the direction you want to turn going backwards.

The set up is the most important part of backing into a dock or parking location. Let's learn what I call the "Banana Profile":
1. With the units in a straight configuration, drive across the front of the location until the space between the tractor and trailer is at the midpoint of your location.
2. As you cross this midpoint, turn right to a 45 degree angle away from the point. Drive straight (45 degrees from the location) until the tandems are at the midpoint of the location. (You must be watching your driver’s side mirror) As the tandems attain the midpoint turn the wheel left (again) to put a bend in the tractor/trailer until you have achieved the "Banana Profile". (The tractor/trailer has the same shape as a banana.) Now straighten up and continue until you have clearance of the driver’s side rear corner of the trailer and the location the trailer will be backing into.
3. At this point, you should be able to smoothly "track" right into the "hole". Just visualize the line and adjust the turn aspect (declining) as you enter the hole and straighten up as you go.

LET THE TRAILER DO THE WORK...ADJUST TO THE TRAILER, DON'T FORCE THE TURN MOVEMENT BY OVER STEERING. The longer the trailer, the more time it will take to show its movement. Don't get anxious, be patient, and let the trailer make some movement, then you correct the tractor to the movement of the trailer.

1. When backing, place your hand palm down on the center bottom of the steering wheel.
2. Use the bottom as your guide for the direction you want the back of the trailer to move.
3. Having your hand, palm down, gripping the wheel will prevent you (with the natural limits of movement) from over-steering. DO NOT LET GO OF THE WHEEL!
4. Grip the window post (the separation bar between the wing window and the door window) with your left hand, and again, DON'T LET GO. This "anchor" stops you from moving around in your seat...every time you move it changes the visual perspective in your mirrors...SIT STILL!
5. A tractor/trailer combination will NEVER back in a straight line...you need to "add" and "subtract" turn movement constantly. A little adjustment either way will keep the units straight and where you want to go.
6. If there is no "guide line" painted on the surface, visualize the straight line you want to line the driver’s side (sight side) of the trailer then the tractor onto.
7. When you start backing, pay attention to the tandems (trailer wheels)...these are your first and primary points of lining up the unit. As soon as the tandems have gone into the box, begin reducing the turn aspect of the tractor (bring the nose around to the "square line" with the trailer. Now change your focus to the midpoint of the trailer...just before the midpoint gets to the "line", get the tractor square with the trailer so there is no turn occurring...you have achieved the aspect of straight line backing once the tractor is square with the trailer and the midpoint of the trailer is in the box.
8. Keep in mind there are 3 "pivot points" to a tractor/trailer combination.
8a. Tandems are the rear pivot.
8b. King pin (drive wheels) is the center pivot.
8c. Steer tires are the forward pivot.
To move the tractor trailer either direction (right or left) you must accomplish an "S" configuration/movement with the tractor/trailer. Which direction you need to move the units is the direction you begin the movement. (This is for forward adjustments...if you have not centered the units in the dock.) To move it will require 3 steering movements...make sure the movement is sufficient (far enough forward in distance) to achieve the moving distance required (right or left). Just imagine you are driving on an "S" painted on the ground and follow it COMPLETELY.
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I can't thank you enough for this!!! I struggled every night, was way behind the class, and wondering if I should give up. Great advice for visual learners. Now they let me go forward. Thank you so much.

 

I should have known that after four pages there would not be anything I can add. I agree about the toy truck, holding the bottom of the wheel and sliding the tandems back to cut the amount of tail swing 1) If there is room to maneuver 2) it helps in really tight spots.


You mentioned letting the spotter (yard dog) back it in for you. Did he get in your truck and drive it? If he/she dents your truck, most likely it will not be insured.

If you need to have the spotter dock the trailer, drop it and let him use his vehicle.

Mikeeee

 

getting the overhead view of what is going on during backing is a great help!

Mikeeee

 

Been driving just over a year now and for me the backing is the hardest part as well. At first I couldn't even couple my own trailer without getting out and looking what felt like 100 times, but that is always better than hitting something. But I agree with what others are saying, it is all practice. If you are in a safe place then spend a little time each day backing. Try new things, new setups, and try and copy what you've seen other drivers do, and eventually you'll find what works for you. I still struggle with it every time but it is just a part of the job and at the end of the day I get it done, get paid and it doesn't matter what some super-trucker or rig worker thinks of me. Keep it up, and keep doing it safely.