Backing

looking back on my first time straight line backing in school is pretty funny. no idea why i struggled so much with it. i'd get all confused looking in the mirrors and i'd find myself making big movements with the steering wheel. the key to straight line backing is to make very slight movements with the wheel if you need to make any adjustments. also it certainly helps a lot to keep looking back and forth between your driver and passenger mirror, both your flats and convex. i remember when i first started backing i would really only look at the flat mirrors, but now i mostly look at the convex. it's somehow easier to see when your tractor is straight with your trailer

so to answer your question, yes it is very challenging at first because you're so stressed out and don't want to look like an idiot, but i'm sure after a day or two it will become much easier and you will laugh at yourself for ever making it so hard

 

absolutely. backing will most likely continue to be a challenge for you for a good 3-6 months. oh, youll be BETTER at it, but will continue to feel inadequate. heres the thing tho... right now you are preparing for the cdl test. the test requires that you do certain backing maneuvers, and gives you a specific amount of times you are allowed to get out and look. after the test, FORGET THIS COMPLETELY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you need to get out and look 73 times in order to be assured you wont hit any trucks, trailers, people, poles, etc....then you darn well should get out 73 times. dont worry about "looking uncool in front of the other kids". let the other drivers laugh...you will most likely NEVER see them again, and you will look far sillier when you have a backing accident. not to mention you will have a mark against you, and might get fired or at least will diminish your chances of finding a really good job once you get experience.

i wish you the best of luck. dont get too down on yourself for your lack of skill...driving is a learned skill,period. especially backing. no one started off as a trucking genius. heck, i still get out a few times (or more than a few times) when its a more challenging situation. in fact, i get out and look MORE now than when i had 3 months experience. as a newbie, i was terrified of how i looked to other drivers. in the end, thats just stupid.

 

it sucks. lol. i'm def a rookie, and sure that others here will be able to give you some really good pointers, but yeah, it sucks. for me it's all about the set up. get that right and it'll be easier, get that wrong, and for me i fight it for ever.

 

Like your instructor you're too hard on yourself.That school is teaching you just enough to get your CDL.The real learning begins when you start a trucking company.The key to passing and get your backing down is RELAX AND GO WITH THE FLO.My best backing,shifting and driving is when I relax.Don't sweat it,you'll get it.

 

as far as straight line backing goes... i once exited a highway to go to a chain of stores in missouri area called (ozarks?). most of these are truck friendly. this one was not. i passed it and continued down the service road, highway on my right. road got more rural. no place to turn, kept going. maybe 5 miles down the road, the service road ended. had to back a good 3 or 4 miles til i got to one of the RESIDENTIAL streets in order to attempt a backwards k turn. had LOTS of fun that day. not to mention, my antics were all completely visible from the highway...still on my right.

 

Just be patient and practice and it will come. Like others have said little movements do alot. For the DMV. Test if you can get nice and straight before you start backing it will help.

It's important to remember that your kingpin is round and therefore no matter what you do the trailer will eventually start to drift.

 

Shoulda just hopped the median back to the highway there buddy! lol

 

"Phantom drift"---straight line backing doesnt always go perfectly straight...many trailers have their axles ####eyed due to uturns with heavy loads that make the trailer back up weird. you get used to that..

Not getting it down on the first day, first few attempts---dont even bother with that. it takes PRACTICE. when I first started, with my trainer, we would take an hour a day just for me to back up in a truckstop. After I got out on my own, I still did the same thing for about the first 2 or 3 months until i was really comfortable with my backing skills. To this day, I still start my day early (4-5am) so that I can shut down early...hehe..its easy to back in to empty truck stops lol

 

The most important thing in backing is lineup. get your line up as close as you can. it takes work and it will be long after your school before you become comfortable with it most likly. but dont beat yourself up over it. i dont care if you do this job for 50 years you will still have days where you cant back into a whole to save your life. i have had many days where i could not do a sight side to save my life, but flip around and blind side it first try. just keep practicing. like if you take a ten hour break and our waiting for a load still go to the back of the truck stop out of the way and keep backing in. even if your on a elog you can get 2 miles worth of practice in. for me backing is fun. i love to do it. the harder the better. i like the holes or doors other hate.