Need to practice backing, but no access to a truck, Help!

One of the most important yet overlooked aspects of the CDL school process is observation time in a peer group with similar skills.

 

I never even noticed. Was there a truck in this video.

 

It still amazes me how many people that applies to. I am not going to claim I know every part of my truck by name, but I know it's function and basic means of operation. I'm just really really ####ty with memorizing names, people or objects it doesn't matter.

Dang...you're right, even I overlooked that one. Yet, I got to school every day an hour earlier than my time to be there just so I could watch others.

I'm not sure what's scarier, the fact that you didn't see the truck or that you weren't watching it.

One either means you were paying attention to the wrong assets, and the other really means you need glasses. Take your pick!

 

I've held a Class A license for forty years, but after watching this advertisement I suddenly have the urge to go rent a truck. Hubba Hubba. And yes I do need glasses.

 

Trying to toss around your big money to score something bigger eh? I see...I see.

Now, I'm noting that the OP was stating that she's needing help with the techniques?

There's not really any technique... Get it in the hole. That is about it. At least that's my take.

How you do it just depends upon the space you're working with in the big picture. Got lots of front space? Turn it into a straight-line back. Got lots of vertical space? Do a 90. Got a mix of the two, but not enough to do either of the aforementioned options? Do a 45.

Every time you back, it's going to be different. Even if you're backing into the same spot under the same conditions.

Only thing I could add is don't hit anything and get out and look. I need to G.O.A.L. more than I do, but that's how my school taught me was not letting us get out and look. When I asked later on about that, it was so we could understand the angles better from inside the cab. There are some places where, due to their higher security, they won't let you outside the cab.

Don't try and judge the angle of the trailer against the angle of the truck is about the only other thing I can add. You do that and you'll never get into a spot.

 

I have no idea how to teach someone to back. I learned on the farm with everything from tractors to pickups to trucks starting at age 4.

You can learn to back with a car and a utility trailer a lot cheaper than with a class 8 semi. $10 per hour vs. $100 per hour. It just takes repetition. Find a parking lot, and back the trailer between the lines, backwards in a circle, around a corner, etc, etc. Use only your outside mirrors to back. It'll come to you pretty quick. THEN get someone qualified to help you transfer that skill to a semi. The only big difference is the amount of off-tracking a semi trailer does.

 

Sorry, I let my dirty old man side get the best of me. It would be pretty hard to for me to explain in a post how to back up. Every situation is different if you're backing a car trailer, a tanker, a flatbed or 53'. Practice is probably the best way to learn and as the OP stated that is hard to get if you don't have access to a tractor trailer.

If you are backing a trailer worth the axles set to the rear you can aim with trailer tires into the hole. With a 53' you need to compensate for the overhang of the trailer past your axles and stay that far away from the hole you are trying to hit then try to pivot on the tandems to line the trailer up with where you are going.

 

That gal probably gets that all the time, she's got your number, just another day at office for her.

 

During your driving career you will be exposed to many different situations that will test your skills to the fullest. Sometimes you fail and other times you will hit it. Either way it's a learning experience. There are no short cuts just miles to a top hand.