Backing-up Anxiety

Nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm the same exact way. In the very beginning on my own id get myself so worked up about backing to a shipper or spot at a truck stop before even getting there. I still stress it, especially when a handful of other drivers are watching. I've asked for help so many times, mostly everyone doesn't mind. Had a few guys gimme a hard time and can only imagine the cb chatter.

As a caveat, when I left in the morning, I could see he didn't have curtains so I left the high beams on as I did my pre trip lol.

Robert B.. WHAT???... got even with high beams... In Kindergarten teacher said 2 wrongs do not make a right... what if that guy was the next stabber (that killed his trainer a couple weeks ago) and he fires a shot gun through your windshield?

As a caveat, when I left in the morning, I could see he didn't have curtains so I left the high beams on as I did my pre trip lol.

Robert B.. WHAT???... got even with high beams... In Kindergarten teacher said 2 wrongs do not make a right... what if that guy was the next stabber (that killed his trainer a couple weeks ago) and he fires a shot gun through your windshield?

Trust me on this one, after a very short time, you'll learn that the majority of those drivers who do that crap are known as "radio rambos". They talk a bunch of crap and that's about it.

As a caveat, when I left in the morning, I could see he didn't have curtains so I left the high beams on as I did my pre trip lol.

Robert B.. WHAT???... got even with high beams... In Kindergarten teacher said 2 wrongs do not make a right... what if that guy was the next stabber (that killed his trainer a couple weeks ago) and he fires a shot gun through your windshield?

Yeah but three lefts do!

If you spend all your time worrying about what might happen, you will not get anything done. People need to get over being afraid of physical pain and/or death. If it is going to happen it is going to happen. Pain lets you know that you are still alive. You know, you have a more peaceful existence once you stop worrying about all that. Once I quit caring about getting hurt or killed by someone else my life got more peaceful.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am still aware of what is going on around me. Kinda like Thursday when my right hand trailer tires came off the ground. All I could say at the time was "OH EXCREMENT!" and I could not believe how calm I was after it was all said and done. I even knew that the truck would have laid over on the drivers side before I got the wheels back on the ground. I mean that I was conscious of it. I did not panic and did not make any sudden movements of the steering wheel or brakes and all turned out just fine.

Oh and I quit caring what other people thought of me too. Makes a big difference in your life when you are driving a $1500 28 year old vehicle while others are making $500 to $1000 car payments. If you add the payment and the insurance together is how I come up with that figure because I only pay $240 a year for my vehicle insurance.

Was it childish? Yes. And so are the radio antics of a lot of drivers out there. When I grew up you rarely even heard a swear word on the radio. Bout the worst you ever heard was excrement or water stopper and sometimes a H E double hockey sticks. Now I can not stand getting near a truck stop. Makes me want to pull out a linear and blast away some old Hank Sr. for those making the stupid noises on the CB.

^^^^^^^^what Pat said^^^^^^

I am no were close to experienced because I am still in truck driving school. However as of right now I am confident with backing, I am sure that will change once I get out on my own though. But one thing the instructor told me was for my 90 degree backing, go as slow as you can and just watch the trailer tires and guide them to were you want them to go. Going slow gives you more time to correct a mistake so. That way if you make one it can be fixed without having to start all over. They also told me that when backing for the 90 degree that the I should be constantly moving the steering wheel back and fourth as I move back. It works for me and a few other guys in the class. Like I said though I have not been out on the road yet but it still could help.

Thanks everyone for your help all your insight, its a breath of fresh air that other drivers feel the same way as i do and they also can receive help as they read these post. When i first started driving straight trucks in 2005 i was always nervous back but eventually i got comfortable so hoping the same here. Again fellas thanks for all your help....

Had hardest back to date,in laredo,had to setup,nearly on the sidewalk,and back in off the main road,with heavy traffic...not fun. There was no other way to maneuver,around the fence and poles..,but..another delivery completed.

My hardest to date was a blind sided 90deg back to a fenced in driveway from a narrow dead end road with no room to turn around and back in proper without driving over the neighboring businesses prettily manicured bushes and green freshly mowed grass... but that was just the start I then had to follow hand signals from the consignee who told me the last driver took an hour and a half to do the 90deg sunken walled dock again with fencing on top of the four foot wall on either side of the dock. I couldn't see a damned thing

I just stared at this guy and judged my performance by the expression on his face and small hand movement instructions till I got it backed to the dock with a single pull up... Man started sweatin again just remembering that one...

And to top it all off I was the third driver on the load the other too had breakdowns and I had to be the one to deliver the twice over delayed delivery AND make them happy and put it exactly where they wanted it...😎😎