FOR THE LOVE OF ALL ....HAVE MERCY!!!!

Every type of trailer backs differently. In the last year, beyond my own 48' spread axle flatbed, I've pulled transports, ISO tanks, dry vans, multi axle step decks, frack pumps or mixers, and oversized sand chiefs.

The worst one to back IMHO is the ISO tanks. Spread axle with a short trailer. First time it took over a dozen pull ups before I could back it into a loading Bay.

Right now I'm waiting my turn to back an ISO tank into a tight frack site. You can't move until you have a spotter in front and back and have signed off that you understand the standard hand signals used in the oil industry. That helps, but sometimes I have to stop work and explain to the spotters a better plan of action. I've ripped Hazmat containment when they wanted me to do a full jacknife with a spread axle. Never again.

 

Bah! You’ll be fine.

I have days I can’t find a gear to save myself.

Backing is a whole different story.

 

Don't worry about it. It's all part of the fun. You're probably already enjoying a good day. Kerp your chin up. Every one of us have had the same. I've got over 20 years out here with proof.

 

YES...

THAT PART!

 

I back into tight spots so often That when I get a wide open dock to back into I need a pull up or two which makes me chuckle

 

Just remember , the only thing that matters is that ya don't damage yours or anyone else's.
Not how many pull ups or how many times you needed to GOAL.

 

Update. When it was my turn to back that ISO tank, a spread axle with a short space from kingpin to axles, I followed the hand signals of the frack crew. They obviously overshot how quickly that trailer turns and I ended up going from a blind side back off the dirt county road to a driver's side back.

As we worked our way backing through the two acre lot I finally called a "stop work". I asked to be shown the final position of the trailer on the hazmat containment pad. Then I told them how I planned to finish the back. They agreed to stop with the hand signals unless I was about to hit something.

After that I got it on the containment pad with one pull up, finishing at close to a 90° jacknife with the edgeeof the pad bunched up on the front axle. They called it good.

Never trust a spotter, even if it's in their job description. Always get out and look.

 

As deaf as I am, there are at least 6 or 7 people (I know I counted 6 souls but no time to get at least one more assessing the coming smash just south stoneyridge on the US23 Juct I think it was when they were drunkenly coming head on with me against me in my own left lane in a yellow buick lesabre convertable laughing and drinking.

That radio call from my number one (Daffy Duck.. whomever you are...) saved their lives and mine also that night.

I know time to time I tell to turn the radio down low. The jabber is BS and will create a wreck that is on YOU... for nothing. But when lives depend on it.. again, as deaf as I was, that #### thing has saved a dozen plus lives mine own included a few times.

I hope those Ohio pikers have had a good life these last24 years or so (They probably have children in college by now... so you can pretty much multiply generations saved just from that one avoided smash with a at the time 200 dollar radio.)

 

Can save you big time in fog, or icy roads out west. So far this year I've avoided two major accidents (learned about some good detours) and parked before a 30 vehicle pileup had me camping on the shoulder (last month's echo junct fiasco)