Should I be worried about learning to back-up?

Make sure that you 100% see everything, don't be lazy to go out and check both side as many times as you need or it will cost you. Be ready to park in some weird places for 40 minutes and sweating as hell.

 

It will come with practice. If you watch other drivers backup, that might help. Tell yourself that
you can do this, and you will. Trust me, I have blindside backed into some real tight places in
my time as an LTL/P&D Driver.

 

Nah, it'll come. I actually almost drove an instructor to drinking I was backing so bad in CDL school. He got so mad he walked off and left me all alone. And funny, that's when I learned to back.

The only part of the CDL test I scored 100% on was the backing part. Go figure.

I actually have more trouble at the big ### open docks with acres to maneuver in than the tight ones. I never seem to set up right if I have too much space. So I'll keep it in nice and tight even when I have tons of room. That's what works for me, your results may vary.

Definitely don't be afraid to get out and go take a look. You're good but you can't see through a trailer. Also, what you aren't taught. If you are backing and you hear an air horn, stop immediately!! Begin to back again VERY slowly and if you hear it again. stop. You're about to hit someone or something you can't see. Ask me how I know.

 

I have seen drivers back up twin pups. As to the other things. Some drivers pickup loads staged and ready drive point to point and park the trucks. In most of these terminals yard men do the spotting and assembling the pups. These drivers hardly ever back.

 

Work on pointing your trailer to where it needs to be aimed, use little C-turns both forward and back. Check your work often as needed.

And yeah, relax. You'll see drivers backing both worse than you and so effortless it looks like witchcraft. You're in the middle somewhere, moving up.

 

Turn off your CB so u don’t hear the comments from the peanut gallery.

 

I'm in lower Slobovia somewhere on backing, not helping that I'm running dry bulk doubles right now.