Extremely nervous about backing

And we are taught not to back unless absolutely necessary....go figure

 

The key to backing up is not hitting anything. If it takes 10 minutes but you didn't hit anything it was a good back.

Take your time and drive your tandums into the hole while remembering that your back end sticks out farther.

If your at a customer and the dock is to tight ask for another dock, most would rather assign you a different door then deal with the aftermath of you hitting something.

 

Exactly.....I have p/u at some places where the receiver has a fence around the property and the distance between the dock and the fence is 80'.....Try backing in like that with a spread......

 

I see new guy struggling to back into tight docks all the time because they think they have to. If there is an easier dock to get into it doesn't hurt to ask for it, the worse they can say is no.

 

I find it easier to back a trailer with the tandems as far back as possible.

 

Ok....Excuse my ignorance on sliding tandems...Since I tug a Skateboard....But....Aren't you guys supposed to slide the tandems back prior to bumping a dock in the first place?


Seems to me besides making backing easier....It would prevent the wagon from dropping when the forklift is driven on the deck.....

 

Many shippers/recievers require the tandems all the way back...for the drop factor, scares the fork operator...but by sliding the tandems back before getting in the hole, creates the need for larger nose-tractor swing to accomplish directional change to the rear. the farther forward the tandems the less distance of nose movement...but it all depends on the dock and the surroundings....there are times when you need to have small movement at the rear and big turn on the nose, and sometimes the opposite.

But all in all...we all know skate boarders just aren't good at doing things in reverse....door swingers OTOH...*gotcha WCP!*

 

I have no problems bumping docks....

What gets me is I was told beforehand....While I was still running in the dump biz, that 'Bedders "Never bump a dock or load/unload at night..."

Yeah.....That was one huge effing lie......

 

Not so much a lie...they left out one word..."well"....so just a half truth!!!!

And now you know not to listen to recruiters!

 

As far as backing up is concern... it's a challenge that every driver experiences every day. A challenge for all..experienced or not. Don't expect to nail it on first try every time. I have gotten it in on first try maybe twice in the 2 years I have been driving. I do consider the approach as being the most important part of the process. The ability to visualize really helps. How much room do you have to work with needs to be looked at. Remember that backing into a hole is the opposite of pullin out. And when in doubt... get out and look. Backing up in a straight line is done by keeping the pics in both mirrors the same . If this is changing then you are not straight. I use to sit at truck stops and just watch the other drivers and learned a lot from them.. Not only what to do but what NOT to do. Use experienced drivers . They know what they are doing and don't hesitate to ask questions. Practice practice and then practice some more. You WILL succeed .