Trouble Backing

you're waiting too long???

 

I don’t think backing can be demonstrated or “taught” in writing. Practice practice practice learn by doing, learn by doing, learn by doing. Your particular equipment pairings will have their own nuances.

Granted. Maybe some of us make it look too easy but it’s only because they’ve developed a special 8th sense over many years and countless different situations

 

when backing at an angle (assuming bending it into an alley on your left side and not the blind side), turn your wheel right will make the trailer move to a lot of left, when keep the wheel straight, it goes to little less left, and turn your wheel to the left will "get under" but also moving the trailer to even lesser amount of left until your tractor and your trailer is straightened. the key for alley dock is to use the combinations of turning the wheel to the right in the beginning, then keep the wheel straight after and try to feel it and time it perfectly and get under it by a hard left at the end. just take time and practice, dont stress out

 

Like the other replies said. It sounds like your waiting till your trailer lines up with where you want it and then you are trying to get back in front of it.

You should get in front of it just before it lines up perfectly with where you want it. You need to account for the time and space it takes to get back in front of your trailer.


I hope this help ya

 

Like others said you waiting to long to get back under the trailer. You have start sooner

If your backing different trailer another thing that can be messing you up, is the trailer tandems position. When the trailer tandems are moved all the way to the back vs up front will make a big difference. I have that problem, some places require trailer tandems slide all the way to the back. That completely changes when you try to get back under the trailer.

 

Remember to go slow. The best advice I got from this site is "you can do it too slow a million times, but too fast just once." There are some great learning vids from this guy - David Crowley. It shows several views in one screen - right, left, looking out the driver window, and his steering wheel, plus an overhead with a drone.
David Crowley

 

These 53 footers have a delay. My best advice is go find an empty dock and work the problem. Right now it seems like a tough problem. It's not really. Just go do it. When I physically can I help drivers today with this. Good luck. I know you can get this down.

 

It takes about six feet before a 53' trailer will respond to your steering inputs, so you need to plan ahead accordingly.

It just takes practice and more practice.

 

I also will advise (if you can) to take a look at seasoned drivers while they back. Look at how they set up and how they handle the wheel all during the process. I advised a guy to do this and he actually watched this at a Walmart DC helped him some.