School is in session

I don’t count. I just crank it, go to the gear or in the daycab til the corner of the trailer is halfway through the back window, the crank the other way, I slow down and take a look when the truck is straight then continue the turn and watch the trailer all the way in. Blind side I’ll use the convex to get an idea then straighten it out and pull up if needed.

 

Pretty much. At that point you can look to see if you are lined up right. If you are, then keep going on the wheel and curl it in

 

Remember, you're driving the trailer; what's the trailer doing. When you turn the steering wheel, what's that making the trailer wheels do?

 

When you set up for the offset you don’t need to see the parking space just yet. At certain steps you’ll be looking for your reference cone, but when you are turning, focus on the landing gear. Follow the directions exactly and it will work for you. The point is to learn how the tractor manipulates the trailer. While doing the steps, I spent time trying to visualize how the tractor-trailer were interacting with each other.

One thing took me a couple days to figure out was the importance of lining your tractor up straight with the trailer (getting behind it). It gives you a good idea about where you are at and what you need to do next.

 

I don't know if I could pass if I had to be put through a school now.
I never went to one... learned on my own and from old hands.
Just reading descriptions from what students put down, I'm saying to myself... "Wtf?? I've never even heard of an "alley dock" or "offset backing". "

I know it's the tech terms given to each situation so it can be taught, but I just see the hole and put the trailer in it.
It's the same end game, I guess.

Makes me feel old.