Trying To Get The Basics Of Backing

I have my cdl. I have never backed a trailer to a dock . I have always pulled doubles that never required me to back. Now I want to apply for a job that is going to require me to back to docks. I want to learn more then anything right now. I was thinking about just useing our boat to practice docking . I was just wondering if backing the boat up would help me learn the same concept as backing a trailer?

I have my cdl. I have never backed a trailer to a dock . I have always pulled doubles that never required me to back. Now I want to apply for a job that is going to require me to back to docks. I want to learn more then anything right now. I was thinking about just useing our boat to practice docking . I was just wondering if backing the boat up would help me learn the same concept as backing a trailer?

Nicole, it looks like you may be doing things backwards here! Not your fault, backing is not part of doubles, but now you want to pull (& back to a dock) a 53' trailer.

First, your boat trailer may not work. Most "pickup truck" size trailers have the axle near the middle. The semi-trailer axle is near the back end, so it both follows you and backs up differently. I started out thinking my trailer backing trick ("Hold the bottom of the steering wheel, move your hand in the direction you want the trailer to go") would work. No, it doesn't work for a 53 foot trailer!

Use the search box above, enter something like "backing" or "alley dock" to read about the pain people have in learning this, and the many suggestions to get it done. My original comment when I was learning was something like "You don't know frustration until you try to back a 53 foot trailer!"

Here is my first suggestion for you: PATIENCE IN ALL THINGS

Good luck!

Unfortunately backing a boat would not help much at all. The only thing that would be the same is that you'll turn to the left and the boat will go to the right. That's it. Other than that, everything will be completely different - the timing, the visuals, the speed at which the various angles will change. It won't do you a bit of good once you try backing a 53 footer.

I would recommend contacting a Truck Driving School in your area and ask them about refresher course rates. Explain your situation and tell them you're interested in a few days of working on backing. They should be able to quote you a price for that. It would be well worth it.