Please give me advice on straight line backing.

You sound just like me whn I first started driving.I attended 2 schools because I just could'nt master backing.It takes patience and pratice.With straight line backing or any backing you're backing the trailer so phocus on the trailer .Always look in all your mirrors to make sure you're not going to hit anything.With anykind of bCKING its very little movement of the steering wheel.If you see your trailer drifting to the right then move the steering wheel to the left slightly.If you move the steering wheel like you do a car then your trailer is going to drift way off course .Don't be in a hurry backing.Always remember you're backing the trailer not the trk and DO NOT OVERSTEER.i CAN'T STRESS THAT ENOUGH..You'll get it,it just takes time.

 

YOu;ll have to find a style that works for you, you'll hear 1000 sides of the answer here.

 

WHOA! talk about way overthinking the whole thing and I think that may be more of the problem than anything.

 

put your hand on the bottom of the steering and turn into the direction of the trailer is only making you turn OPPOSITE of the direction.

put your hand on the TOP of the steering wheel. you want to turn INTO the direction. not OPPOSITE.

i just watch the trailer in my mirrors. but i've never had to worry about docks.

 

was going to say the exact same thing. calm down take a deep breath and just drive. Don't over think it, you will only screw yourself up. Trailer drifts a bit correct it. go slow. calm down.

 

I wonder if there are any You tube videos you can watch on backing. I saw a CR England video on backing on their safety site and it made it look so easy at the time, but then I don't drive.

 

You need to find what works for you and what makes the most sense. What works for someone else may not work for you. Try the advice you are given and see if works. If not, try something else.

When I'm backing through the cones, I keep my hand at 12:00 and keep checking both right and left flat mirrors only. The second I start seeing any drift (I look for the relationship between the trailer and cones attempting always keep it parallel and right down the middle), I immediately turn the wheel to 9:00 if the trailer is moving toward the driver's side and 3:00 if it is moving to the passenger side for 1 to 2 seconds max and immediately come back to 12:00.

If I'm not in the center of the course, I will let it drift for a few seconds (as long as it is moving in the right direction!) and then straighten it up.

If I catch it quick enough, that is all I need to straighten the trailer back up and keep it right down the middle of the course. If it is not, I give it another second or two.

Remember though, that this is what works on the truck we use in school. The truck you are using may need more input for a bit longer if the steering is not as responsive.