I Hate Cones!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hated cones when I was in school, too. I started imagining the cones were people I didn't like, and aiming straight for them until my instructor told me to quit screwing around.

 

Oh musicgal! I am so proud of you! You will get it I just know you will!

 

Hang in there musicgal, you can do it, just take your time and put that trailer between those cones. if you think you are having fun now wait until you see some of these loading docks you have to back into.

 

Are they chocolate or strawberry? Don't pressure yourself with over thinking while you are backing...try and relax and do everything SLOWLY...backing is done at idle speed in real time driving and docking. One trick is to place your hand (right) on the bottom of the steering wheel palm down, (this stops you from over steering and makes the trailer movement less to think about, as the direction you move your hand is the direction the back of the trailer will move. Eliminates the "opposite direction" thought process as when your hand is at the top of the steering wheel. Top of the wheel is for forward movement direction, bottom of the wheel is for reverse...simple when practiced!

The biggest thing is to not beat yourself up over little mistakes...don't expect perfection, ever...we all have days we can't get that trailer to go where we want it..just part of the fun of the game I guess.

One more thing will help...don't move around in your seat, sit still, with your left hand grab onto the window strut and keep yourself in one place in the seat. Whenever you lean forward, or move into the mirror for a better angle of vision, you change the perspective of vision, then you will tend to over steer....kablammo now your fighting yourself...just relax, stay still, stay slow!

and most of all....make it fun! Things sink in better when being enjoyed...much like sex...so I am told...married to long forgot about it myself!

 

and remember to keep things in perspective, it's much better to squash a few cones now as you get the hang of things, than to squash some yuppies BMW!

 

To squash a Beamer is more than an accident...it's a statement all in itself!

 

Never let anyone tell you to hurry up, or go faster...especially when backing. Isn't it interesting, the thing that is the most complex, and easiest thing to screw up...is the thing we do the least!(?) always at idle...can't emphasize that enough! The clutch is actually your speed control, not so much the brake peddle. Try to keep your right foot square on the floor, and use the clutch to slow your movement. Remember you are backing, so everything is reversed!

I don't know if your instructor told you this, aw heck I will...I will...

Use your imagination...visualize an imaginary line (a curve, just like the shape of a banana) I call it the "banana profile"...try and keep the rear tire (drivers side) on your imaginary line, all the way through the curve....your line will put your rear tire right where you want it. Now as you get into your dock position, start bringing the nose of the tractor around...slow and easy. Using this method, you shouldn't have to stop at all...just smooth and slow all the way around the banana line, squaring the tractor and front of the trailer as you pass the half way point of the docking area.

Now what was that they say about Tyson...don't let the pecker chicken you...nope that's not right....don't let the chicken pecker you....almost...I got it...don't let the chick peck you!

 

Very well put.. never be in a hurry to back up..lol.. thats what gets you in trouble.. take your time the clutch is your friend..use it.. slow an easy.. not sure why your instructor would tell you ..you might have limited time to back into a spot.. unless he is talking getting a spot at the TA at 5pm..lol