Do truckers "challenge" themselves?

There is a technique that some schools/companies teach (Steven's Transport is one) that has the driver position the truck perpendicular to the space he's headed into. The driver turns the wheel as far as it will go and the trailer pivots on the trailer tires until it is positioned and then the driver counter steers to straighten the tractor before pushing it into the slot.

The first time I saw this I thought it was ridiculous but there's more than one way to skin a cat and if the driver can do it consistently and successfully then good for him.

 

I used to do this when I pulled sticks. Works great if you have a box with the tandems always set to the rear. Especially in a cab over.

The way parking lots are laid out now...no way.

 

And the number one rule in backing ISSSSSSSSSSSS? Dont! Challenges are good but get in safe get out safe. Play in the yard not in the lot. Im new to the road but have watched some amazing backers and some out right ding dongs. Path of least ressistance for me please. I challenge myself every day to keep those around me safe regardless of how much they are askin 4 it.

And whIle Im on it. Howabout a 4 wheeler forum where we could ask some 4 wheeler opporators questions. Like...........

 

the hardest dock in the world to hit is on that is wide open and nothing to back around or lines to go by, like a 50 dock warehouse and they put you in the center dock. it is easy to get it there but try to get it inline with the dock door just when you think you have it you get out and you are hitting on one side and can walk through the other side.i seen a driver try one day for twenty minutes to get inline and i walk over he was really not very happy. i told i told him i will show you how to get it in there. and he replies well you show me!!!!!!!!!%^^%^%^how to get it then. i took the gallon oil jug that was in my hand and walk from the dock out to where i thought that the front of the truck should be and said back in and put the front end here he did. when he got out all he could say was they did not show us that in school.

 

I worked at a yard for a few months, I moved about 60-80 trailers a day. they had a sink or swim training method. They threw you a set of keys and told you not to hit anything, after that it was up to you to survive. That is the type of place I thrive. After doing that I find backing to be kinda fun and I enjoy a challenging spot.

If a place is even remotely busy I will just do the simplest and fastest way. If I have the time, the place isn't busy and I'm in the right mood I might try a goofy back just for the fun of it.

I do a lot of jackknife backs, like what roadkill mentioned. It takes awhile to learn when to straighten it out but once you figure things out it is a very flexible back. You can easily move your trailer over either direction mid-back just by doing a small pull-up. The further forward you have your tandems the further you need to be away from the dock when you start.

I'm trying to teach my co-driver the jackknife back. He finds it challenging but likes the concept.

I often get compliments from customers. But every now and then I have a day where I couldn't back it onto a football field.

 

LOL

wanna teach me how to jackback? You probably don't have enough time on this planet,and I KNOW I don't have enough money.

 

Testify, Brother Testify.

Two days ago I pulled into a truck stop and tried foolishly to pull into two different parking spots. Bad angles, wrong approach, you get the picture. Finally I just pulled back onto the road in embarrassment. You would have thought I had never been inside a truck before. Everyone has their days.

Do I challenge myself? Nah, I ain't got anyone to show off for anymore. Life provides ample challenges without doing it just for the fun of it.

 

Tell you what, you give me all your money, then I'll tell you if it is enough

I'm not a good teacher, I tend to want the students to do some of the learning on their own while most students want their hand held for a long time.

I had a warehouse gig before I went OTR and I had to train my replacement. After 4 weeks he was driving me nuts asking me things I'd already taught him 3-4 times. I eventually just started answering, "I don't know." He didn't like me much after that. Oh well.

 

By the looks of your pic you dont do a very good job!

'Challenging yourself' as a driver, who may be tired after long hrs and little sleep, is not a good thing! I purposely dont go into crowded truck stops at midnite to find a parking space...try to get in early (esp when daylight) and will sometimes hit the Rest Areas if rally late and nothing else available. Driving/parking when tired is like having drunk 3-4 beers---not at your finest!! I used to 'challenge myself' when younger and foolish, but NOT now...age, experience has brought me 'wisdom!'

 

<<sorting though change-hat>> (too poor to afford a jar, so I keep my change in a ballcap.

$1.26

I really do try to not ask the same question more than .. oh.. 8 or 9 times a day. I do practice my butt off - just ask the instructors at the CDL school. straight line and offset parking were no problem, so I spent all my available time on parallel parking. Not that it did me much good...