CLD Instructor had us parking at Truck stops

Hey, OP, don't forget about "trailer swing" if the tandems are all the way forward, it can be a factor whether you're backing into a slot or pulling out of it. I always liked cracking my window a bit and turning down the CB while I was backing... the less distraction, the better. You may not have a CB in the truck while training, but once you're in your own assigned truck, it's a good idea to leave the CB volume just high enough to hear if anybody squawks about your backing, like you're about to hit something. The open window might allow you to hear some hand hollering before you hit anything, lol... same way it can let you hear an oncoming train at a crossing with limited visibility down the tracks. To this day, even behind the wheel of my Camry, I turn off the car stereo before backing into a parking spot. And in a truck, even with a "Comfort Latch" on the seat belt, I'd lose the belt so I could lean better to check mirrors, aye? Some hands backed with their driver's side door open, but I liked using my mirrors, and I always got out and looked if there were any question about clearance, including overhead clearance. Just my $.02 on the subject...

P.S. One old hand said it best, most truckers spend 99.9% of their time rolling forward, so it's only logical that backing should present occasional problems. With enough experience under your belt, you'll be able to handle difficult blind-side backing, serpentine backing to get around some other rig or trailer, the whole nine yards. Successful backing experience will give you more confidence, but never forget to check your clearance, and G.O.A.L. as necessary.

 

I do it a bit better, I try to do the new hire road tests in the evening for a reason. I have three locations where i can have a driver tested in real world conditions but it always starts with a trailer which is parked into a tight spot and they have to grab the bobtail test truck, hook it up and not hit anything.

Do you know how many fail just getting the truck hooked up?