How similar is backing long trailers with a fullsize SUV vs backing a truck?

Jesus, just practice with your bumper pull, if you master that backing a rig with a 48 or 53 will be a breeze.
I am not sure what everybody is talking about, I thought everybody or at least most folks drove a pickup and learned to back a trailer before driving a semi.

 

I was originally going to say not the same at all.

But, I drive different size tractor trailers a lot more than most, as I am a on call driver for several different companies. Just so you know where I am coming from.

It is more difficult to back a smaller trailer than it is to back a 53' trailer because of how the trailers react. I on ocassion get called out to do shuttle for uhaul, and those little buggers people pull with a class c license are more difficult to back than a 53; refrigerated for whole foods.

The small trailer reacts quicker, and turns much faster than the 53, The basic reaction of controlling a trailer is the same bumper hitch, 5th wheel, the difference is the location of the pivot point changes the reaction to the steering input, just as wheel base changes it.

Practice, just keep in mind when you move into a tractor trailer, you will have to adjust to a degree.

In a big truck take all the room you have to make a maneuver, You can miss by a mile, as long as you miss, and worry about what you can't see, as much as what you can. Most back accident in large truck happen on the blind side. Be safe, Enjoy what you do, take your time, turn the cb on when your backing in. You may have to ignore (being the high amount of idiots on the radio in the truckstops) lots, but when you here stop over the radio, or air horns , STOP, get out and walk all the way around to check things out.

 

A big truck is easier for the most part, except tail swing. It's a longer trailer and reacts slower, just lead it a bit more.