Released on my own after 3 days with a trainer... I'm having one problem

Yeah only 3 days but my papa drove 40 years OTR and 4 million miles accident free.. he never had a trainer. The guy I was with said i had the driving ability, I just needed experience just like anyone new. He pretty much gave me directions to a lot of the places i will going and showed me what I needed to do upon arriving and paperwork etc...

 

Tomorrow I'm going to a walmart distro in Gordonsville VA off I-64.. hopefully the "lines" don't give me any problems lol

 

I had about 15 minutes of training. I am not bragging and saying it was right but thats how it worked out.

I've driven big farm equipment and tandem trucks most of my life so driving an 18 wheeler was not that big of a big deal.

 

I find I can be parallel with the line when I look out one mirror but when I look at the other mirror it appears like I'm not straight. When I switch back and forth looking from one mirror to another I usually have to pull up and fine tune.

 

Don't watch the lines. Pick your visuals to setup as if there are no lines and use them.

 

I cant back up when I am wide awake sometimes yet everytime I am dead beat tired and ready to pass out I hit the hole the first time NP...I love the hard spots for the challenge just keep tring it next time you do it go step by step what you are doing. take your time and see what the truck and trailer are doing when you turn the wheel....

 

one day I had to back up bobtail into a bay to have work done on my truck. even though no trailer was behind me, my mind thought there was. I zig zagged all over for 150 ft, while the mechanics watched & laughed.

 

its simple.when u have a truck or to on each side it gives u a visual to help you back in within those guide lines.wide open with no aid besides the lines its giving u hardly anything to go by.all u have to do is watch your trl tires and the line on the ground.if no line then pick the side of the dock you are backing into and then watch the tracking of your trl tires....

 

I went to a walmart distro this morning and when i backed in I jacked it a little too much and had to end up cutting the wheel hard to the left to correct it and watch my right mirror. Its as if I wait too long to start straightening my truck once I get my trailor going in the right direction. .. oh well I'm learning and will eventually get it

 

Anytime you bump a dock and nothing else, you've had a successful back.

If you really want a challenge, and this is for the reefer people... Ralph's in Compton, CA, home o the rainbow wall.