Swift Regret

OP, you have a lot of folks pulling for you!!! It is good to see the amount of support you have received. I do hope all works out for you.

If you ever need to vent/talk, send me a private message. I will forward my phone number. I would be glad to help in any way that I can. (Keep in mind, I am a new graduate, and don't have my first position, yet. So, I have ZERO experience. However, I will provide whatever support I can.)

 

But putting your tandems to the rear(stretching your tandems) also means it takes alot longer for the trailer to turn when backing. If you are in a tight spot usually you dont have the the room it takes to back in somewhere with your tandems to the rear. You need the trailer to start turning(angling) asap in most tight spots.

 

G.O.A.L. That will help too...

 

You're right, having the tandems forward does increase the trailer's responsiveness, but that is not always a good thing.

New drivers tend to oversteer when backing. Stretching things out can mitigate the impact of oversteering. It also puts the pivot point at the rear, which makes it easier to see and anticipate where the trailer is heading.

Even for experienced drivers having the tandems back can make sense in certain scenarios. If the hole is very narrow I want very little overhang. We have a customer where there is limited space between trailer rows and almost no space between trailer spots. If you have your tandems in front of the 43 foot mark, chances are you will end up hitting. Having the tandems all the way back does cause you a headache up front trying to get the tractor bcak in front of the trailer, but it avoids bumping the guy next to you.

 

I agree. I pull doubles most of the time so when I break a set and back them I'm used to having the axle all the way back since they are pups. I've gotten so used to it when I pull a big trailer I still like em all the way back so it acts more like the pups I am used to.

 

Dude do not quit. We all started out like you. I did in 1998 took me probably my first year before I was even comfortable. And even being comfortable I still screw up. Do NFL quarterbacks still throw interceptions? Yes they do. Do MLB shortstops make errors? The more you do something the better you get with it. There will be good days and bad days. Easy days and tough days. You were thrown to the wolves and survived. La, NYC, and places like them is some of the toughest stuff you will ever drive in.

 

What Jeff said. Brother, we none of us popped out of our mamas with a steering wheel in our hands--not even x1Heavy, regardless of what he may tell you. There's a learning curve, and you're panicking at the steep side of it. It will level out, and you will improve. Yes, it's scary. Yes, it's intimidating. But just keep at it, be careful, and never stop learning. You got this, whether you know it or not.

 

@Phoenix1979 you’ve got a lot of good advice on this thread (and all over TTR) from all of these drivers. It sounds like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders, which is really needed in trucking. Backing takes time. Everyone has their stories, and like everyone it took me a while to get it down and learn proper set up. Even today, 19 yrs later, I still have off days for whatever reason and it takes me a few tries to back in to wherever I am.

Jeff is right, even pro quarterbacks still throw interceptions.

All I can say and repeat is, get out and look! Multiple times if necessary. Don’t worry about the other drivers watching or dock hands watching. If you don’t hit anything, it’s a good day. I’d rather take my time backing up, then filling out an accident report.

Good luck to you. When you get back to your home terminal pm @Dave_in_AZ . He knows a thing or two and can help you

 

Yessir.. Just found it when you did.

THANK YOU to all the posters, and Mods in here. Renewed my faith in humanity, in many ways. NO name on the truck bashing; nothing but positivity. I'll drive happier tonight, for sure.

Thanks, @88 Alpha .. Best Thread of the YEAR... imho.