scared to go places

To the op,I dont think your scared so much as you are being cautious or nervous....which is a healthy thing to be aware of.I think youll be ok the more experience you get.

 

I know how you feel. I used to get in predicaments with a cabover back in the day. I made a lot of mistakes but I tried not to repeat the same mistake twice. There was times I've walked a couple miles to my destination just to see if any low bridges were in my path. Nowadays the only time I need to back up is just hooking to my trailer. I'm glad I stayed with it.

 

Set the brakes and go walk back to where they want you to back into.

Race car drivers walk the track. Or bike it to see it up close. I even did that when racing little remote control race cars!

Mikeeee

 

So.... you're not the greatest of backers? Who cares?! Like everyone else has wrote.... you'll improve with each new opportunity you're given. And like someone else has stated, going owner operator won't help because you'll end up turning down more loads than necessary.

If there's drivers at the dock and you have a CB, don't be afraid to shout a need for a little bit of help. If ya wanna do it a little more discreetly, go up to a door with a driver in his seat. You would be really surprised at how many people are out there to help rather than ridicule.

If there are no drivers at the dock.... make light of it to the dock workers. Tell them it might take a bit for you to back it up, so they can take their break now. Make a joke of it, get a laugh and a smile. Hell, they might just offer to help guide you. Or, you can just ask them too.

On your time off, find yourself an open lot. Believe me.... there's actually a lot of them out there! Or, during the day.... a fairly large truck stop with plenty of open parking spaces. Visualize obstacles in the way, and practice backing technique. Don't just do easy straight backs.... pretend there's fences, cars, and buildings in your way. Put yourself in that "tight situation" and back it in.

I know it sounds easier said than done, but you'll find that it is easier than you think. You'll probably find that you can back pretty darned well!

Last but certainly not least.... I know that when you have an audience watching, you probably stress too much about what they're thinking. Don't let your audience get to you. If they're yapping on the CB, turn it off.... or make light of it and respond that you could use a little help here.

One dock at a time, my friend.

 

I do it. 4AM, parked in the turn lane in the middle of a road with the hazards going. I will get out and walk down a street or driveway that I am unsure of. The last thing I want to do is pull into the wrong driveway and have to back out onto a street. So I'll walk it.

"But what about cops...wont they give you a ticket for leaving the truck in the middle of the street?"

No. In fact, some of them will give you a ride to spy out the territory. They know what you're doing. There's a difference in doing it at 4AM and 7:30AM.

 

That's great advice.

 

Three things that helped my backing:

1. Visualize that backing is all about positioning the trailer wheels, like pushing a wheel barrow.

2. I'd always been getting lost trying to get into position for angle backing. Finally had someone show me how to get into correct position, and so far I'm hitting my mark much more often the first time.

3. G.O.A.L. - Get Out And Look - at first I thought this was admitting defeat, but now that I'm with a company that requires it and have been using it I find that this not only helps me visualize my lines and how the trailer wheels are going to travel... it also gives some peace of mind to the customers, knowing you are taking some care with their property.

I've often wondered why truck driving schools don't use RC model trucks to help teach backing, because I know for me it was hard to visualize how to get into position and move the rear wheels of the trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRWOTs7tGyM

Might be worthwhile to get one of these and practice. Batteries are cheaper than diesel for practice.

 

LOVE LOVE LOVE the app, I use it ALL the time!!!

To OP, one day it will just click and you won't be scared anymore. With backing, it takes practice practice and more practice!

GOAL is always your best option! so much easier to visualize what your plan is when your head isn't kinked around the door jam!!!

 

Absolutely, even here in florida, after my dispatcher sends me the address of my next load through email, I go to google maps and assessed everything and this will help the rookie backing up too.

 

I second Google Maps as a valuable tool. Last month it helped when I double checked the address, got down into street view and read the sign that said, "TRUCKERS - SHIPPING AND RECEIVING HAS NOW MOVED TO...." a quick call to the dispatcher and pretty soon we had another text saying the pick up address had changed to the address noted on google maps.

Another aspect of GM is that it can save you some headache if your gps system is giving you a route that will include a tight turn or streets that can be avoided. I always double check the route from freeway to the address. Sometimes coming in from a different direction can make all the difference for setting you up so you don't have to blind side the back in.