No Go on Backing

I drop a rag on the ground, and turn on the 4 way flashers. Because target fixation dictates that you'll destroy that expensive flasher with the trailer tandems.

 

I usually lay a beer can where I need to back to. With the flashers on, it's easy to see and use as a guide.

 

See, this is a big fear for me... that my trainer will suck like this. You need to practice backing, so take the time to back when you stop sometimes. I did good at backing in class, but we had so much time to practice it. This sounds like something to discuss with a higher up person. This trainer needs to be retrained on how to train, or be removed from the training list. And yes, the winter season coming up is a bit intimidating for those of us who don't drive in snow a lot, let alone with 18 wheels and all this deadly force in motion. The good news is we have a forecast of a mild winter this year. I know that if I feel that I am not trained well enough to do the job, I will ask for more training, or a better trainer.

 

This is so true.

I used to work as an in-house instructor at a mega which may or may not be the one OP is at. I've since gotten back on the road.

After my first 10 minutes of teaching straight line back, I would know what my next several weeks with the student would be like. They would either be capable of feeling how to push the trailer on the fulcrum or they wouldnt, but I would always know right away on that straight line back day.

I used to like to tell people that you haven't come to learn how to drive a truck, you've come to learn how to pull a trailer. And when I teach you to back, I'm not teaching you how to back a truck, I'm teaching you how to push a trailer.

 

Sit in a parking lot with cones and practice, practice , and practice.

 

Toys R Us and Sears. All of the former are closed and most of the latter are closed. Find those places and practice backing into their docks.

 

My experience with Werner was much the same. Was with him 7 weeks very little backing, after all that time I really still wasn't that even that well versed on the Qualcomm. He sucked for a trainer. I tested out and went on home time before taking my own truck. I never returned instead looked for and found local work. I did dump truck for a summer and when the season ended I went to Walton milk hauling. I know I'm not driving a 53 foot van into major cities but still I can back that tanker into places I never thought possible. I have several farms that once presented a challenge and a plant I go to semi-regularly. Those things became much easier after a couple of months. The plant I go to is a challenging backing that is known to screw up equipment, it's really bad mid summer with the sun beating down making it difficult to see into the dark bay...... I have never hit anything.

My advice take your time and if you can't see on both sides don't back up. That's what my boss said to me once, truer words were never spoken.

I drive a day cab with a 48-50 foot tanker trailer. Class A

 

actually ,you don't need a trainer.

plenty of people are self taught ,as I am.
we learned by doing. get out and look, try again, give up , sit and cuss for 15 minutes and try. it again.

all I;m saying is you have to figure it out in your own head.

after over 30 yrs out here,( 95% OTR), there are times I can't get it right in my head and screw it all up. even at places I've been before.lol