Straight line backing

Trucking Schools are like Public Schools
The Government decides what is to be taught and for how long.
Everyone gets taught the same thing,some instructors do struggle with
the guidelines they are required to follow so it is what it is basically

 

What post are you replying to?

 

The ones arguing about backing in high range. Bit off topic but I thought I'd throw my hat at it.

 

Lol, not the first time. It caught my eye and I reread the whole thing. Huh

 

When straight lining remember this line...drift to the left (trailer) bump to the left and center (steering wheel) drift to the right, bump to the right and center. Works every time.

 

I have to admit I have found this to be true. Just think about it as far as simple reflections (mirror...). You have a much more open angle looking through the pass side mirror than you do from your drivers side.

 

I wouldn't worry about it too much. In my class, a couple of the guys that really struggled with straight line backing the first day ended up being some of the best drivers in the class. For some folks it just takes a day or two to get a feel for what is going to happen when you turn the steering wheel so many degrees.

And just to add fuel to the "which mirror to trust" debate, our instructors told us to trust the left mirror and just glance at the right mirror from time to time. People that focused mainly on the right mirror tended to drift back and forth more. If they couldn't break them of the right mirror habit, one of the instructors would take his jacket and drape it over the right mirror so it was useless. That usually broke those drivers of that habit.

 

As your looking in the driver side mirror turn the wheel right to find the traler left to loose it. Keep that in mind for all backing.

 

Practice, practice, practice, that's the only path to proficiency....

 

Hi...

I like the ideas here... I'll have to remember them when I start training

Thanks for the good info

CT in KS