Day 4 of academy. Passed straight line backing evaluation. Pre trip time

Straight line backing 101.

Pay attention.

Adjust seat correctly

Adjust the Steering wheel correctly

Adjust mirrors correctly

1st gear move forward

Stop completely, turn on 4 way flashers, put vehicle in
Reverse and you watch the convex mirrors (little ones) that are attached to the West coast mirrors, the ones on either door, when you just see your tandems start to peek out you then turn your steering wheel 1/4 turn TOWARDS that side....keep holding the wheel till the tires dissapear , turn your wheel back to 12oclock. Continue watching both sides back and forth. Repeat as needed.

Once in your spot come to a complete stop,set your brakes,make sure your steering wheel is straight and your done.

 

Turn the wheel towards the mirror that has the most amount of trailer in its view, until they're even. Worked like a charm for me

 

Check your drives in line with the kingpin plate on the trailer.

If they are straight and matching on both sides it's straight.

There is one other thing. If you are loaded, on any kind of slope enough to make water or spilled coffee run in a particular direction (Whoops spilled a bit of coffee boss...) on the test area, you know then the gravity will try to pull your rig that way. A slight correction against it on your steering wheel will hold you.

 

Xzay, glad to hear from you. One of these posts mentioned repetition? It's completely true, When you do something the first time, your brain doesn't have any reference points, so it's more difficult to make choices, to act appropriately. The 2nd time you've already been there, it's not so confusing. By the 100th time, you're an expert.

So your strategy in dealing with the new things is easy. Hang in there, keep you attitude in tune with your goals, and focus as much as you can on the work - for you, learning to operate the vehicle. Learning how to drive will be harder, once you can operate a CMV you'll be on the road. Don't be concerned with that yet.

Do NOT focus on the instructor's personality or technique. That's a smokescreen, perhaps designed by him to see if you can focus under strain. Keep your mind on your learning, honest. Once you complete your training and get a shiny new CDL, you'll spend something like 240 hours in a truck with another trainer, Swift calls them "Mentors." It probably will not be fun, but it's just another step you have to take before you get a truck of your own. Best to you, keep working on it, and I hope to see you out there. J

 

I remember my instructors from school. One of the best I had was easily pushing 70, and prone to hollering at you and throwing his clipboard on the floor of the cab every time you screwed up. One thing I understood, though, was that it wasn't my job to critique his training style or question his instructions, or any of the other instructors. They were who they were, they knew their stuff, and they were able to get me to do my best.

 

Hang in there. Remember, if you ask 250 drivers how to back, you will likely get 250 different answers.

There are however 2 golden rules.

1.) A poor setup will produce a poor result.
2.) When backing, always turn toward the problem.

 

There was a girl in my class that jackknifed during straight back lol

 

Good job!

 

Put your hand on the bottom of the wheel. Need the trailer to go left? Turn the wheel to the left. Just keep your hand on the bottom.