Not going too well

Sounds like a plan. Stay focused! Good luck.

 

Luck to you.

My primary point - don't let the BS grate your last nerve. There'll be a ton of BS, and you'll be working on your last nerve for a long time.

 

My trainer at my first job did exactly that. It was super helpful to not have the pressure of trying to focus on both backing and listening to suggestions.

@1278PA - good luck on Tuesday! I expect a full report.

 

First of all you are in that school to learn. A teacher's job is to teach. Some people are good drivers but Bad Teachers. When you are trying to learn a skill it's difficult when someone frazzles you on top of trying to learn something new. But you have to learn despite all of that.

Backing is like riding a bike. Once you learn how to get the feel for it, it becomes second nature.

Depending on how much space you have, there are a few things you can try to make it easier.

The first is to try to do your setup in such a way that the trailer is as straight as possible with the slot. So in other words instead of being on a 90-degree angle with the slot and making a sharp turn into the slot, try to be closer to a 45 degree angle (if you have the space). The trick to that is driving past the slots fairly close, and learning to judge when you need to turn right and then where you need to turn left so that the tractor-trailer is about on a 45 and the trailer is pointed right at the slot. A sharp turn to the left as the last movement helps you to be able to look out the window and see where you are. Aside from straight backing that's the easiest way to back in.

If they require you to back in closer to a 90 degree angle, if you have the space, try to do your setup a little further away from the slot. You have to judge how much room you have, but as you drive past the slot that you're going to back into instead of being close to the slots like the last example, be further away from the slots.

As you start your backing it's easy to see when the trailer is straight with the slot and follow it up. If you are too close and try to back in from a 90 degree angle it's much more difficult to put the trailer in and it's much easier to hit any other trailers that are parked next to you.

Remember this: backing into the slot is mainly about the setup. If you are not set up in the right spot you cannot back into the slot. But when you are set up correctly to back in, you have to follow your self up. So always think of it in these two steps. First setup then follow up. I'm sure they teach you that in school but if you think of it in those two steps I think it's easier.

I've taught people how to drive tractor trailers before, and with no yelling I might add. But backing just takes practice and patience and most of all getting the trailer in the right position before you back in.

And just a word for when you actually go to work. If you have any doubt whatsoever when you are backing in get out and look. Even if you have to do it a few times or however many times get out and look. Even if other guys are giving you a hard time or they're yelling at you forget them. Don't be the guy that hit something because he didn't get out and look. And always try to keep backing at a minimum. It's the most dangerous thing you do in a tractor trailer.

 

Where are your tandems when backing?
Mine are always forward and if they force me to move tandems at guard shack I'll move them back forward if the spaces are tight.
I was terrified the first few months solo,probably a good thing,as I completed some tough backs without winding up on twisted truckers.

 

I like to get real close to a line of trucks that contain a dock or parking spot in the middle that looks like something I might get into. Right about after my left drives passed the hole as close as possible and before the hole reaches the middle light marker on my left side of trailer I turn to the right. And stop right where the tandems are about maybe 10 feet in FRONT OF THE TRUCK TO THE LEFT OF MY HOLE. It's going to be at more or less 45 degrees relative to the hole I want and my tractor would have been brought back to the left by then really sharp to create a angle. Any angle.

Then it's time to back in. Ideally she curves right in.

However, I always get out and look when things are super tight, at night and so on. I remember one time I backed into a dock dead straight but the lights of the one on my right was not right in my mirrior. 4 drivers on the bench back there smoking was watching intently. Why would they be so interest.... ah...

Hop out and look... there I was a foot inside the line at which I would have taken out that truck's hood. A big pull up with a sidestep took care of that. A flashlight left on the yellow line to the right wheels helped as a guide (Make sure it is a cheap 2 dollar light, that way you don't cry when someone steals the #### thing...)

 

I’m going to tell you what I was told to do when I started. Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, push it in the direction you want the rear of the trailer to go. Take your time, you’re the one in control. Hope this helps you.