new waters

id have to say watch the trailer tail swing when backing, depending on where your tandems are set it can as much as 13' from the tandems to ICC bumper. as always if unsure get out and look

 

At night use your flashers when backing; you probably already know that. This really helps in crowded truckstops though pulling a van or reefer.

 

90 degree back watching the trailer square up to the hole before I go in. One of the biggest mistakes guys make is holding the turn in too long so that trailer swings in at too much of an angle.

 

If you know how to back up 48ft spread, 53ft reefer will be piece of cake... Its all about how you set up before you start backing up

 

good point, and measured from the inside tire that you are pivoting on, across the trailer to the far corner can be a good bit more. have seen more than one guy say "it didnt look that close from this side". getting out and looking is a good idea too.

 

I recently switched to a company with different equipment than I'd ever driven and you get used to it pretty quickly. You've been around for awhile and know how to drive, it won't take long. The best thing to do is just GOAL even when you know you don't need to so you get the bigger picture of how everything is moving back there. Check it when you're in mid turn a few times even if it's not near the hole yet. Gives you good idea on how it moves, responds to your input and the area you'll need. Helps you set it in your head on when you see one side of the trailer here at this angle the other side is at this whatever other point.

Trust your instincts, you'll be alright.