I had an epiphany about backing up a tractor-trailer on a city street

Answer: I can't remember if the OP is the guy that seemed to reject replies with good info or if he was one of the ask 3 million questions about small details and then reject the replies. Since I can't remember I answered his as if we are both serious. Maybe he'll hook me again. If so I'll probably remember that.

Topical: I think the OP's question is a good question. I think the truck on the public roadway, which includes turning lanes, should never back up for exactly the reason it is very, very easy to back right into an unseen car/SUV behind the truck. One great thing about tankers is you can see so much better what is behind the trailer, and they are about 1–2 feet less wide, compared to a van/reefer. Experience can teach you some tricks to minimize the effect of the rear blind-spot, like not stopping perfectly centered in the turn or travel lane, but stopping not-parallel with the "painted lines" of the lane, which can make part of a vehicle directly behind the trailer more visible sometimes. There's an old joke. Someone tells a guy with problems, "I think you are just being paranoid". And the other person says "Oh yeah, I'm clearly paranoid. My question is, am I paranoid enough?" Besides eating at the truck stop buffet or getting married, backing up is maybe the most dangerous thing you will do when trucking. Back in for parking, back in for customers, never back up on a public road if there is ANY alternative. Don't be in a hurry to make a big mistake.

 

Yes. Yes he is.

 

Sirscrapntruckalot -

 

Never back up, he can get out of the way, I'm on th road, he isn't and he is in the wrong.

Worst case, I'll go around the block and try again if I know the area, otherwise, I'll wait him out.

If I back up, and hit someone, or someone hits me...I'm fired. Simple as that.

 

I know what answer you want. "You were not at fault".. but there doesn't seem to be anybody saying that. This whole thread is funny.

 

He has many of us on ignore, so only sees half the posts, he thinks he is only 2 pages in.