Learning straight line backing

When turning the wheel make very small corrections, try that and see how you do tomorrow .

 

It's normal. Almost nobody in class has experience backing. There are so many videos on YouTube that you can make things worse by watching bad backing videos. I suggest you only watch the YouTube videos from truck driving schools. Trucking usually has 9 different names for everything. Truck driving schools usually try to use 1 name for that same thing, although some instructors use their own name for the thing they are describing instead of what the school names it. Schneider has a lot of good videos and often has overhead shots to help you see what you need to see. I'll include a video below to help with straight-line backing. I'll look around for some of the better channels on YouTube from truck driving schools. Every truck driver will offer something, some of them are correct but a lot are just their way and most truck drivers cannot tell the difference between their way and the only way. Truck driving schools teach people for a living. Truck drivers drive a truck. Teaching and doing are not the same skill.

The things that will really increase your confusion and frustration is trying to use the different descriptions and approaches offered by everyone with an opinion. I used to work for a flight school teaching pilots how to do what they needed to learn. It's better for you to do one procedure over and over, even if it doesn't exactly deliver the outcome you want, than it is for you to experiment with 50 different procedures, often with different terminology, and different landmarks to watch for. It's better to be consistent, even if it's wrong in the same way, and then work on fixing that one mistake that procedure produces.

People with a lot less talent than you, dumber than you, more stubborn than you, in a bigger hurry than you have learned how to do everything that you need to do to pass your CDL test. EVERYONE has something that causes them to think they just will never ever learn to do correctly. Having that feeling IS NOT a sign you will not pass. It's a sign you need more practice. When I say practice, I don't mean just doing random stuff in the truck for more time. I mean following the correct procedure, as slowly as necessary so you understand what you are doing, that it produces better and better results.

 

SchneiderJobs has a good YouTube channel with good videos about various CDL maneuvers. The one below is for straight line backing.

 

To describe it in non-trucking terms, think of that little wagon you had as a kid. Backing up that wagon is the same as backing up a semi-trailer, BUT, you are facing the other way. So, you need to learn to react the opposite way from what you see in the mirror.
So, think about how that backing job looks from overhead; when the trailer starts coming over into your left mirror, you need to move your wagon handle a bit to the right. visualize what you need to do, because you need to turn the wheel, then "chase it" around. You can't just turn the wheel and hold, like on a straight truck.

 

One hand on the top.of the steering wheel, then steering towards the problem.

Scan both mirrors, and you probably need to adjust them further out.

Remember it takes time for the trailer to respond to the steering. Anticpate, then be patient.

 

Ive heard and seen the same concerns when I trained. People thinking they just can't get it. But after days or weeks it comes together.

 

This is what I was taught. Left hand at 12 o'clock. Don't let go. Don't shuffle hand on wheel. Max 1/4 turn limits over corrections

 

Less is more...

 

YouTube has great videos even on how to pass your driving test