How to be a good spotter.

first thing you should agree on is what singal to use for stop!!! make sure that y'all are on the same page for that, what makes sense to you for that, might not for another...always make sure they can see you in their mirror...i have seen so many ppl get out to help someone, and the driver cant even see them.....

 

dude, great advise! let the driver operate and use his instinct. just keep him from smacking his neighbors and he will figure out the rest.

 

With 20 years Army mechanic experience, ground guiding has become an art form. I can guide just about anyone into just about any "doable" location. Thinking like you are in the driver seat and giving clear directions to the driver are the key. Define the hand and arm signals... DO NOT, and I repeat, DO NOT think that twirling your fingers in a circle one way or another is an understandable hand signal. I always tell the driver I will point in the direction that I want them to turn the steering wheel. Fist in the air means STOP. If the we can't see each other, STOP. Small hand motions mean turn the wheel a little, larger hand motions mean turn the wheel more. Palms toward you means to move the truck away from me (usually standing in front of the truck it means to back up) and palms toward me means pull forward or toward me. Once you direct a driver during backing procedures a couple of times your mind will comprehend the mechanics of the movements.

At the same time, when I ask someone to spot me, I tell them to just make sure I don't hit anything. I don't need directions from a spotter.

 

Number find out what he needs. he may just need you make sure he doesn't hit anything. or he may want some guidance so you setup what signals mean what and whether you guiding the trailer or the tractor. I have been in some holes that you wouldn't believe because I had a good spotter and then I have had others that drove me into something that I should have never hit. and by the way thanks for trying to help the other guy ! more of us need to do this !

 

I'm always willing to help someone when asked once I understand their ability and to what degree of help they need, but when someone just rushes in and volunteers their services to help me it drives me nuts. They are nothing but a distraction in my mirror, a hindrance that does me more harm than good. The last thing I need is some spazzo making a bunch of hand motions in my mirror to distract me. I know they mean well, but many are just plain stupid.

 

spent 14 years as a mechanic and it seemed we ALWAYS got tasked with the job of drivers training even over the 88m's.

Glad it didn't go to waste.

 

i just ask the spotter to stop me if i,ll hit anything.and in what direction the trailer needs to go.

 

Not for me. I'd rather you just point in the direction the trailer needs to go and let me know how far it is to the dock. Watch my blind side and keep in my mirrors. Spotters are there to help and not rely on. I know of a few occasions where the spotter gave bad information and the driver backed into something. Guess who got charged?

 

id rather have the extra eyes

but im in the same boat as the OP my directions suck i will stop you before you hit anything the rest is on you