My setups are horrible

Thats pretty cool. I'm afraid my truck will be totaled before I get it parked though.

 

I parked in rest areas for a long time because of my backing ability or lack thereof. After a year I back into spots easily I never would of attempted to in the beginning but I have learned from experience things I was doing wrong while backing or maneuvering. More than once I'd get say door 15 and I'd pull up and turn out and be lined up with door 16 or 17

 

Somehow, when I read your first post, my mind automatically put in "boat trailer".

No, it's not like backing a boat at all. It is sorta like backing a boat trailer down the ramp, but the pivot points are a little different and you can't cheat by looking out the rear window of the pickup.

 

I think this is the single biggest reason for difficulty that sneaks up on most people with pedestrian backing experience. Losing the impulse to look over your shoulder is a lot bigger deal that you first think.

 

Completely agree.

I've ALWAYS had respect for the truck driver...now that I'm training to be one...holy s...cow this is...difficult...not hard, but challenging. An obstacle that can be overcome...but an obstacle none-the-less.

My trainer kept telling me to "breath" and make subtle movements on the first day...day 3 it just clicked...I was the first of the bunch to head out in traffic

We don't get into "real" backing until late next week. But they are already drilling our minds to think "truck" not automobile...just because it's bigger, doesn't mean bigger movements...subtle...gentle...easy movements...does the elephant walk fast in the herd of zebras? no...it moves subtlety. (I love her annlogies...and yes...+1 my trainer is female)



p.s. This will be an obstacle that I will overcome...I have a will and determination to become a safe and professional driver!!...that and I want to get paid

 

That was hella fun!
50.43 seconds. 84.6% accuracy.
I did take it up on part of the grass where you turn in but only because I saw a Swiftie do it first so I figured it was okay.

ok second try, 38.03 seconds, 88.6% accurate.

This is fun!

 

10 seconds, 100% accuracy. I lied, told them I was a flatbedder so and I didn't have to back.

 

Get yourself a couple of toy trucks and set them up on the kitchen table and try different senerios with them. Believe it or not, it does help because it creates a birds eye view of what you are trying to accomplish. My stepson is taking a CDL course at the community college and backing up was a challange. After getting over the embarassment of playing with the infront of the drivers a light seemed to go off. I happened to watch him tonight putting a trailer in to the dock at a 90 degree and it was obvious that the toy trucks helped.

 

Redskin, What you need is some confidence. Slow down take your time, think about what needs to happen and get it done. There are many ways to set-up. when I first started driving local there was a WH that you would back through a main door and then the docks were all 60 ft through there but the kicker was the docks were off set from the first overhead doors. Major PITA but I took it as a victory when I could finally do it with 1 pull-up. The pull-up is actually part of my set up once I get the trailer partially through the overhead. Pull-ups are fine better to be safe than damage something. I almost all ways use a pull-up. Nothing to be ashamed of when you get to a TS turn that cb off, try to plan it so you can get to a TS at a better time when it is not as busy and you don't fell so rushed. A few times with better results will build your confidence up, but remember watch that front also it is easy to forget about. Good luck

 

Heh, I still fight the urge to look over my shoulder when changing lanes.

When I lose that habit, I'll probably get hit in the car someday.