Still having problems with backing

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Penumbra, Oct 27, 2019.

  1. Penumbra

    Penumbra Medium Load Member

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    Don’t worry I’m sure he wasn’t serious
     
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  3. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    Go grab 5 pylons and put 4 like the outline of a dock hole and put the other across from them to simulate a tight back and practice as often as you can.
    Pretty soon you'll be choosing the hard spot just cause you can.
     
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  4. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    It will take some time, you will need some patience.

    I would suggest trying to find a place to back in any time you can. And try to find the harder spots to back in. You can find safe hard spots in the back corners of lots, next to islands/curbs where you won't risk backing into other trucks.

    Try to be lazy with your setup and don't rely on having a good setup. Sooner than later you will be in the situation where you don't have room for a decent setup. I think the harder stuff will teach you faster. When you get the hang of the tight stuff the rest will be easy as you get a feel for what is needed to push the trailer around behind you whatever angle you approach from.

    Patience, patience, and even more patience. Keep trying and then it will just "click" and you won't even worry about it.

    "Practice makes perfect"
    Try not to avoid it.
     
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  5. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    The best driver I ever knew got out and looked every single time even when there was nothing even close to him.
     
  6. Accidental Trucker

    Accidental Trucker Road Train Member

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    Doesn’t matter if you’re still terrible, it only matters that you’re not quite as terrible as last week.

    Patience, grasshopper. It’ll come. Patience. Nobody cares about pretty. We don’t grade them, we just count them.
     
  7. HillbillyDeluxeTruck

    HillbillyDeluxeTruck Road Train Member

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    Think about it like this. Every time you mess up, you figure out how NOT to do it. Also remember that your truck and trailer back up the same every time. A lot comes down to learning how your truck reacts to steering wheel input and getting a feel.

    Always go slow and use small movements in the steering wheel to correct yourself. Roughly no more than half to 3/4 of a turn unless really needed.
     
  8. Tx Countryboy

    Tx Countryboy Road Train Member

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    We even have days were we can hit #### backing in.
     
  9. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    So it sounds like a week is in the books and you didn't back into anything....good job, keep up the good work. Speed will come with time, don't sweat it...just stay safe and don't hit anything. People can wait for you to back in places, we were all new and terrible at one point too.
     
  10. Cabinover101

    Cabinover101 Heavy Load Member

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    Try that half to 3/4 turn only in an old 'Armstrong' steering truck :biggrin_25513:
     
  11. MBAngel

    MBAngel Medium Load Member

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    Many ways to practice backing. I found it helpful to get a toy truck, so I could visualize backs without using hos. There is a great youtube channel on backing - david crowley. Hes got several points of view and walks you thru it step by step, and has an awesome accent.
    When I get to a back I'm nervous about, I laugh and tell the dock guy "I got 20 pull ups in the betting pool on this one, lol". They laugh and get it that it may take me a bit. Remember, you can do it too slow a million times, and too fast just once. Take your time and dont worry about anyone watching or rushing you. Eventually itll get into your head, and you'll do better. Nobody was born backing in perfect, and even seasoned drivers have bad days. Some days you tap the dock, and some days the dock taps you.
     
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