Man I hope I get used to trailer backing

Just remember
GOAL
get out and look
take your time....and if the set-up is wrong, imo it is usually simpler to start over when starting than to push a bad situation and try to fix it.....
i remember trying to put my trailer in a spot or two where i took lots of work to fix a bad setup...when i look back...i could have just pulled away..
Gone around...set up right, and put in in in just a few moments...

 

Try swinging an automatic for the first time 90Degrees lol.

 

You will get it, just takes time.........then you will do the night portion of the class, backing using those little marker lights. Many schools barely get the basics down regarding backing and the school your going to, will make sure your safe and able to do all the basic manuvers before you pass. We lost two guys due to backing, they just gave up and walked off when we got into the more complex manuvers. My first company was very particular which students they allowed to go with trainers, they spent a half hour showing us what they wanted and and then each of us students took turns. They sent about 6 people packing due to backing issues, some could not keep the trailer in the 12 ft lanes they set up, much less the other backing manuvers.........it really made me wonder how they passed the test? All those students had gone to 15 days schools. One student was putting masking tape on the mirrors, said it was the only way he could back up.............never did understand what that was all about? That guy also turned the truck like a car coming out of the terminal and just about took out the fence by the guard shack.......safety guy ejected him before we even left the industrial complex. You willl get some good instruction, once they see your able to correct the drift quickly and not over steer......this takes about a week for most people. You need to get a feel for this basic skill, before they will add more.

 

Take your time and dont let anyone rush you. with backing, if you get flustered and upset, it gets worse. My first day in trucking school, i spent 4 solid hours doing straight backs. i thought it was a waste of time, boy was i wrong.Now backing anywhere is a non-issue. you will eventually conquer it.

 

Think of it this way. Put your hand on the top of the wheel and as my teachers taught me: turn towards too much. Too much trailer in the left mirror, turn left. That's what locked it in for me. Hope it helps and believe me it gets better with practice.

 

It takes time to get used to a vehicle. Once you get used to it, it's like riding a bike. I remember how terrible I was at backing when I started to drive, now I can pratically back blindfolded.

 

All awsome advice, Im a rookie driving right now with no school and learning alot on the fly! BEST advice in my opinion and remember (i have not mastered it yet either and had a nightmare back just today)go slow! dont let anyone and i do mean anyone rush you hell most of those dock workers would love to see you smash it lol! not trusting your blindside is not a bad thing like one of the others said always get out and look if you have Any doubt! it will come with alot of practice patience and sweatin bullets on some super tight ones but you own that ship and always be the boss and when you get a tough one it will make ya fell proud just my two cents from a superookie! lol

 

War stories! A little of these go a long way in a training setting.

Absolutely, it's your dime and time. On the other hand depending on the stories, you may can find a way to use what he/she is saying and divert it in to a lesson. Figure out a way to route him/her back on task.