racking my brain with this 45

Hello just trying my best to get this 45 down to upgrade for my company can get set up but when go tp start backing get befuddled with direction tires need to be. I know there is some way to drive this home but can't get it. please assist this mayday call.

 

Colt 45?

I'm trying to understand your post? It sounds like you are asking about a 45 back then I get thrown off by being able to drive this home. Please elaborate more.

 

i would guess they are talking about a 45 degree backing up scenario
to upgrade after training

 

Yes 45 alley dock. Guess it would better be said to make this 45 stick in my brain. Because I've done it but don't understand how i can do it otr and not for the testing . Need it cemented in

 

I really would appreciate any help

 

Backing takes practice, practice, practice until it clicks. Are you having problems backing in general or just on a 45* dock?

All I can do from here is give pointers. Use every visual aid you can to line up like a painted line, an expansion crack in the concrete, a rock, or even old tire tracks.

If you are having backing problems imagine just the trailer by itself and which way you need to move the nose to get it to do what you want.

Then imagine the back of your tractor pushing the nose that way. That should help you figure which way to move the tires. If you want the front of the trailer to swing towards the passenger side (right) you will move the tires to the right. If you want the nose to go to the left then the tires will be left.

Any time you jack a trailer around you have to get back under it to end up in a straight line. New drivers tend to over compensate. To get back under you should turn your tires the other way about at half of the angle. Let's say you are doing a 90* back and you are swinging the trailer around with your tires all the way to the right. At about half way of the trailer swing (45*) you should be turning your tires all the way to the left. Your trailer will keep swinging until the tractor is back under and you should be close to lined up. Then with smaller maneuvers you should be able to fine tune the back. The more aggressive you get with tires the more aggressive the counter steer to get back under. So learn not to over do it. You can also imagine just the opposite of how you would pull away from a dock. Notice that when you leave and how you track. Backing into the dock should be just the opposite and as smooth if you do it right.

Remember pull ups are free and helps you get straightened out in any situation. If you see you are over shooting the runway, stop and do a pull up and get straighten back out.

 

If you are having problems with the concept of backing this might sound stupid but it has helped many. Go down to Walmart and buy a toy tractor trailer. Take it home and practice backing with it. Being able to see it from outside and above helps visualize what you need to do to get the trailer to do what you want it to do. Then you can transfer them thoughts and knowledge to when you get in a real truck. I worked with a woman that was at her last testing try and that's what we done. Overnight it clicked and I seen a huge improvement the next day. She passed with flying colors.

The good part not just helping to understand you get to take the toy back and get your money back.

 

Double post sorry

 

If your sight side backing, what I do is stay as close to the spot as I can. Go two spots past the spot (3 if tandems to rear.) turn the wheel hard right depending on how much space is in front of you then back left. Make sure you have the clearance to get your truck back around during your maneuver without hitting anything! ( don't get so set on the trailer you hit something on your passenger side) then left and using all the room you have or need, to where you can see the spot clearly. Get out look, turn the wheel gently right, until it starts to pivot into the spot and start bringing your truck around. STOP get out and look and you might have to turn your wheels right and pull up. Stop, turn your wheels left and gently bring her back into the hole watching your nose as well. Get it between the lines then adjust to where you are straight. Go SLOW. Always get out.

 

Assuming a 40' bridge, an average wheelbase tractor... and a vivid imagination...

The setup:

1. Stop laterally about 10 feet from the hole (90 degrees to the hole) and where the L door (your eyes) are ~lined up with where the gladhands of a trailer would be if one were parked there (beyond your desired hole).

2. Don't move. Turn wheels hard R to their limit.

3. Pull forward until the tractor is aligned 90 degrees from where you started.

4. Stop. Don't move.

5. Turn wheels hard L to their limit.

6. Pull forward until the tractor is aligned as it was when you started, relative to the hole.

7. Stop. Don't move.

8. Turn wheels hard R to their limit.

The back:

9. Engage reverse.

10. Start backing, holding the wheels hard R until the tractor has backed ~5-10 feet.

11. Start cutting the wheels back L, kinda fast at first, then slowing. Guide the trailer in the hole.

This is like trying to write instructions for a magic trick, at best. Ya read it and read it and it just doesn't quite make sense until the light goes on.

This is a starting point. There's bound to be a lot of trial and error, mostly error at first. Repetition and practice will work for you like everyone else. Control your frustration, it doesn't help a bit.