Offset/Parallel

Do it.

Worst that can happen is you fail.

You have three tries to pass all phases. Fail 3 times and just retake the written exam and get a fresh 3.

 

I have a question... What if you can do the parallel but can't seem to get the offset.. I'm having issues backing a 28ft pup left or right.. So frustrating..

 

The shorter the trailer, IOW the closer the tandems are to the kingpin, the faster the trailer reacts, especially when backing. Whenever I am backing a short trailer I rarely get anywhere close to a 90° jacknife. I keep it at no more than 45° and much less than that in normal circumstances.

Learn to "follow it". This means once you backing with a slight angle between tractor and trailer you should practice keeping that angle. If you are backing with the trailer going left (toward the driver's side), then you need to have your steer tires also pointed slightly left so the front of the tractor is following a large radius turn to keep following the trailer.

Good practice is finding a large radius turn, with a curb or painted line, then backing around that big curve with your trailer tandems about a foot away from the curb or line the whole way. Make small adjustments to the steering wheel. The most common mistake is making big swings with your steering.

 

Try to keep in mind where the trailer kingpin is, because that is where you pivot from.
I know this sounds really elementary, but it helped me to keep the pivot in my head.
Keep practicing, it will get better with time.good luck

 

I realize I am over steering.. And I try to not steer so much.. I understand the whole if you wanna go left you steer right.. And right you go left.. It's that bend that screws me up.. I think I'm just not understanding how to read the darn trailer and I just don't know How to fix that.. Makes me feel like I'm stupid.

 

Practicing backing around that large radius curve will cure what ails you. It helps you overcome feeling like you always have to steer right to turn left, for example. Once that trailer starts left THEN you almost always need to steer slightly left in order to keep the trailer going left, just not so quickly left.

 

go get a toy truck a whalyworld, practice with it, seriously.
It helps to visualize the angles and the physics of backing up.

 

Yep. I used a remote control truck when I was a trainer. It helps visualize from an overhead perspective.

 

That takes some time to get used to. the trailer will continue doing it's thing while you straighten out the tractor. How long depends on the length of trailer.

Kinda need to guess and start straightening out early. You will get a feel for it in time.

Don't worry, it's "normal".