Question about backing in training

Backing is not too difficult Don't over think it. If you are in low gear a light touch in the hammer will be enough to get her moving. I do most all my backing at dead idle but in a gear big enough to actually get it moving and keep it moving while I think about how much wheel to loosen and tighten to follow the trailer around.

Don't bother with the brakes unless you are about to hit someone. You will only stall out. Most people who uses the brake will also be on the clutch. The less you have to touch the clutch, the longer it will stay in adjustment. Its a balance.

Start off with the wheel all the way to the right, that usually gets your trailer turning left toward the hole that you are sight side backing into. Then loosen the wheel about halfway and follow the trailer into the hole. If done right you are in there and done in one move. But most of the time real life demands you stop to get out and walk back there to LOOK.

If you don't you might break something or hit someone.

Also remember the slope of the land you are backing on will pull the trailer to the low side. It does not have to be much of a slope just enough to pull her out of line. A dry 5th wheel will be a problem too. And so on etc.

You will get the backing part. Don't worry. Everyone who drives have to back

I share a story with you. I was very tired from doing a classic 800 mile overnight after a long day previous picking that load up. I was near Gettysburg into a break bulk warehouse 9 that morning which was my appointment arrival. There was NO trucks anywhere in it's 22 bays. A whole lot was empty of cars too. I was told have at it pick a hole and get the papers.

I could not back in to any hole whatever. I was too tired to function properly and by then had about 10 years experience. Finally I had one of the warehouse employees put her in there so we can get unloaded. It was a total horrorshow. It goes to show when you have been up too many hours and you have been really tired, you cannot do anything for yourself something simple like backing.

 

So who cares if they have exp is their some kind of a law you're not suppose to ask the exp guys for help?

 

With manual transmission trucks, idle speed is usually fast enough to do the job unless you are backing up hill. The automatics I've driven seem to require you add throttle, especially once you crank in some turn on the steering wheel or the tractor is "bent" from the trailer. In those cases you can ease off throttle and let the combination slow or you can ride the brakes to adjust your speed.

 

It's probably not the hardest thing to learn but it's not necessarily the easiest either. You're learning how to back, how the combination of truck and trailer responds to changes in direction when pushing the trailer backwards, how to 'see' that in the mirrors and the importance of properly adjusted mirrors.

Just take your time, it will come.

 

I can count on one hand the number of times I used high range reverse in several years of driving. Once I have fully disengaged the clutch in reverse I control my speed either by using the throttle or if I really want to take it slow I "feather" the clutch (push it in and slightly release to give it a LITTLE go).

If I am in reverse in a TIGHT oil rig, it's imperative that I back SLOWLY and make ###### sure I don't hit Hazmat containment, racks of million dollar bottom tools, or the boss man's pickup truck. That's when I am feathering the clutch and taking my sweet time.

Backing between two shined up Pete's in a tight hole in a truck stop? You BETTER take your time. GOAL it as many times as it takes to make ###### sure you don't hit anything.

 

Another 'what not to do'.

This is what will lead to companies prohibiting personal video recording.

smh

 

Why do you say that? He has a camera mounted to his head.

 

01:23 for starters.

 

So he started in high and lugged the clutch a tad. What else?