Need help. Don't have that driving experience

I'm new to trucking. Can you guys give me some tips for driving straight, I notice im always drifting. Also need tips for staying steady when going around curves.

 

I'm a new driver too. I've been OTR for about 6 months. I'm sure there will much better & more experienced advice than mine.

I drive a 1999 Pete 378 pulling 53' spud trailer. As I look over hood I try to keep me centered over the middle of the lane I'm traveling in. The center of the lane is usually a different color then where the tires travel. When I do this my trailer tires are about 1' from the fog stripe. It works for me.

 

If you look in your mirrors enough from the start, you’ll eventually know what to do to keep yourself balanced in your lane.

 

Is the drift due to mechanical issues, such as alignment problems, loose steering linkages, unequal tire air pressures,etc?

If not, keep your head on a swivel, checking ahead, mirrors, etc, until you really get a feel for where in the lane you need to be. If your steering system is in good shape, it shouldn't have much 'slop.' And remember, in a big truck, you don't have nearly as much clearance on each side as you do in a smaller vehicle.

 

Drive by the yellow line. Get accustomed to where the truck is in relation to that line and follow it.

If you are in the slow lane judge yourself by the dotted line same as you would by the yellow line.

If you go around a curve to your left you have to use the line that is at your right front tire.

The opposite is true if you go around a curve to the right.

 

With time you'll straighten yourself out (pun intended). But seriously, that used to happen to me too. After a few months I got the hang of it and now it's a piece of cake. You'll be driving with one hand in no time.

 

Your mirrors. Remember you are driving a trailer not a truck. So head on a swivel watching where your trailer is in the lines. When in the right lane I try to stay closer to the shoulder.

 

Look straight out ahead of you and it will pull you to drive in the center of the lane.
Don’t be fixated on driving to the white or yellow line.
Also if you spend to much time Other than a glance at your mirrors you will find yourself driving towards the side of the mirror you are looking in.

 

Your main should focus should be on where you want to go, not on where you are.

The further ahead your focus the more consistent you'll be in lane position.

More importantly, keeping your main focus far ahead gives you time to react to traffic slowdowns, cops on the shoulder etc.

 

Thanks alot. That really help