Struggling

2 days on the range I cant do anything right I dont get along with the instructor he likes to humilate me I requested another instructor no go I fear going to the range now my stress level is through the roof

I would like to know what type of school you are attending ? Also, suggest you be more specific about the areas you are having problems.

Im at A I T in denver 4 week school 2 days on the range and rest of the week school closed next week 3 days on the range and school closed rest of week passed dmv tests Iam struggling with parking going backwards offset parking I requested another instructer the said no all my instructor does is humilate and yell at me Im having anxiety attacks its so bad

Steve, nearly all the exercises you do on the range are about how to back the trailer up in one way or another. This is the hardest thing for people to learn. Backing up is probably not like anything you have done before. Are you working with this instructor, by yourself or do you have another student that you trade off backing practice with? You might ask your instructor to let you work it out for yourself a couple of times first. One thing I have recommended, and has helped several students, is to buy a toy truck with a trailer. Practice on the table in your hotel room. When you see the way the truck moved on the table top you will have a better understanding of what's going on 60 feet behind you.

Errol is spot on about the toy truck idea. The biggest problem most new drivers have is the fact that we drive trailers. Your steering inputs are the reverse of what you would what you would normally do in a personal vehicle because a big truck is bendy. The other mistake is over correcting. Make subtle movements with the steering wheel, keep your head on a swivel as you watch the mirrors and give the trailer a second to react before making another movement. Breathe and relax as you're getting the feel for what's going on and you'll be ok. Also, if your truck is set up properly on the straight line back, leave the steering wheel alone. That truck is more than capable of going backwards in a straight line all by itself. I had an instructor who used to have students do jazz hands up high where we could all see it, then have them ease out on the clutch. The next thing they knew, they completed the procedure and never touched the steering wheel. Don't do this all the time obviously unless you want to wind up on Facebook but it was a good learning experience for people who were working the wheel way too hard and needed to understand how subtle changes become big movements in the trailer over distance. As Pat M mentioned on here once before, ya gotta be like a duck in regards to the instructor, just let it flow like water off the back and keep in your right head space.

My instructor says if i dont get backing by day 4 we will have issues big issues!!! I have been out there 2 days school closed yesterday today tomorrow reopens monday Very hard to practice when school is closed

My instructor says if i dont get backing by day 4 we will have issues big issues!!! I have been out there 2 days school closed yesterday today tomorrow reopens monday Very hard to practice when school is closed

I don't know the whole story but you might consider pulling this instructor aside and ask for help. Get him to describe what he thinks you are doing wrong WITHOUT YELLING AT YOU and ask him to help you correct it. His job is to teach you, not to threaten you with "or else big issues". Cinch up your big-boy pants and be your own advocate, it's your career, hold him accountable for doing his job!

That's good,you have two days to practice on the toy truck both Errol and Dragon talked about...

I'm in school now too and doing the same type of maneuvers... some days are good and some days are rough. when I'm having a bad day I'll try to get some time alone in a truck with no other students helping me and no instructors judging me- usually by jumping in the crappiest rig on the lot- and start from the beginning by doing pull up and straight line backing . I try to keep my adjustments small and early so the trailer doesn't get away from me.... don't get fixed looking in one mirror for too long or you will lose it for sure. Steer gently ( 3 o' clock or 9 o'clock maximum) towards the end of the trailer that is moving into your mirror to bring your trailer straight. If it does get too crooked cut your losses- I pull up straight and try it again fresh instead of digging myself in deeper by trying to "fix" it. My $.02 accept that making mistakes is part of the process of learning and stick with it- you never fail until you stop stop trying .

I'm in school now too and doing the same type of maneuvers... some days are good and some days are rough. when I'm having a bad day I'll try to get some time alone in a truck with no other students helping me and no instructors judging me- usually by jumping in the crappiest rig on the lot- and start from the beginning by doing pull up and straight line backing . I try to keep my adjustments small and early so the trailer doesn't get away from me.... don't get fixed looking in one mirror for too long or you will lose it for sure. Steer gently ( 3 o' clock or 9 o'clock maximum) towards the end of the trailer that is moving into your mirror to bring your trailer straight. If it does get too crooked cut your losses- I pull up straight and try it again fresh instead of digging myself in deeper by trying to "fix" it. My $.02 accept that making mistakes is part of the process of learning and stick with it- you never fail until you stop stop trying .

GREAT ADVICE...!!!!! If you are selling this, I'll buy it. GREAT ADVICE

Thanks G-Town, I'm older than most students and this is a second career for me. I really feel for these younger guys who are working so hard trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. It's a lot of pressure for them to get it right and do it quickly as possible. It's good to know from and experienced driver that I wasn't giving him the wrong advice... you know us learners sometimes get it Bass- Ackwards.