How long did it take for you to learn to back-up a truck & trailor?

I once watched a newbie turn the tables on a heckler in Bama. A couple of us told him who was running off at the mouth and the youngster started practicing blind side in the spot next to Mr Supertrucker. I almost fell out of the truck laughing when I realized what the newbie was about to do. Ole boy threatened to beat the kid up until about 5 of us made it clear he'd have to take us too.

Moral: For every jack@$$ heckling you there are probably a 100 of us who are supportive.

 

Oh come on, that's my girlfriends job

 

Oh now that's hilarious.

Since its the topic - botched my first backing attempt and gave up that spot. Rolled up a ways, and whattaya know - pull through. Happy happy happy.

Earlier today when I scaled, I nailed my back in one shot and one pull up to get it centered. Difference between beginning and end of the day.

 

I dont recomend blind side backing at a truck stop, 99% it's not needed. Hitting someone's truck will make ya feel terbl

I do recomend praticing blind side backing anytime you can do it away from things to hit.

Also, there are any number of techniques people will tell ya to use. Just figure out what works for you. When I was in school the first time I would stop, think about what i needed to do before turning the wheel each time. My former company trainer taught me to "back in straight lines" meaning, stop, turn the wheel, stop, turn the wheel, stop, turn the wheel. No reason to "curve" into position unless you've got the hang of it.

Hope this helps

 

i agree with evrything said here..dont worry driver..take your time and double check before starting to back..and most important thing is always look for the easy way in somewhere..in other words..dont back into a spot if you can get in going forward..

 

Im having the exact same issue right now. I bought some extra hours at the school for practice and i just keep at it.I was supposed to test with the state this morning and delayed it a week so that i could practice some more because im still not doing it very well. I hate that its taking me longer than some of the other students to learn. ive watched vides on it and read advice, its just a matter of practice and trial and error.

it is reassuring to read that im not alone ,having difficulties learning this

 

blindsiding in a daycab is a whole lot ''easier'' than in a sleeper,once you get the hang of it in a sleeper all else is doable.

 

I still can't back up half the time...

 

Those still in school - practice as much as you can, and then remember these words:

I will never have it as easy as I do here in school.

Every chance I got I was practicing my backing, and at my particular school we had all the room in the world. I have never been able to set up an angle back in the real world like I did when I was there. I got the joy of learning how to 90° back a trailer on my own, in a crowded DC, with zero prior experience doing it.