I have great respect.

I understood what you meant. Yes backing does take some time to master. Just be patient and it will come at ease. The 2 biggest things to remember when backing

1. Always get out and look if in doubt in any situation

2. If you get frustrated while trying to back, pull off to the side and out of the way, calm yourself down, and once you ve calmed down, try it again

3. The last thing you want is to ruin your day or job by not following 1 and 2

 

Here is a tip, go easy on the baking soda...

When you are backing, watch the rear tire on the trailer tandems, not the rear of the trailer. Put that tire, or the one on your blind side where you want the trailer to go. And ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings! That means on the ground, both sides, in front and behind your truck! And ALWAYS look up! Low wires, something hanging off a wall or roof, construction equipment like a picker with a basket. Always look up. Also, best to slide your tandems all the way to the rear. Just my .02

 

If its confusing for you, try using the bottom half of the steering wheel, and turn it into the direction that you want the trailer to go. When you use top half of steering wheel its totally opposite. Basically backing is a good setup, and gradual turning of the steering wheel to guide your trailer where it needs to go. You do not need to turn the wheel like you re buffing a car after waxing it

 

Backing is easy [in most situations] after you've done it a thousand times.

This is why new guys don't make the same money as the more experienced guys. It's assumed new guys are going to tear more stuff up and cost more money in property repairs and lost time/revenue.

 

Also, there is no time limit in backing. I have never seem someone with a stopwatch timing you how long it takes to back. The main thing is to get in the dock or parking space without hitting or killing someone

 

And thanks for the acknowledgment but I would be remiss if I did not make the following statement ....

Make the most of your training but understand that what you're doing now is a walk in the park compared to the real-world situations you will face every day in truck stops and at shipper and receiver facilities everywhere. Some will be relatively easy but many will challenging at best with expensive property, close on all sides, and both ends.

 

I've always watched my trailer tires too. While it's true, there is no time limit to backing in, just make sure you get in there before the shift change ( I used to hate shift changes)