Advice For Rookies?

I asked my trainer what the biggest mistakes students seem to make. She said:

1.) Not swinging wide enough 2.) Not reading signs 3.) Passing Weigh Stations

I learned the hard way to swing.... and I have always read signs... i pay attention to the weigh stations. but i make stupid mistakes... Being from NJ I never pumped gas (stop laughing please lol). Three times I shut off the pump at the wrong amount of fuel cause i was looking at the price line instead of the gallons line. SMH.

I also hear drivers say "new drivers over steer" which i still can't wrap my head around. I was told "hard right" then was told I over steered it. hahhaha somehow that just sounds like an oxymoron or something.

I thought if we made a list of screw ups here, it might help us newbies be more observant and learn from each other.

Basically, all the things you listed will correct themselves with experience and as you become more comfortable with the truck and how it reacts. Oversteer isn't just a rookie problem either. It's also something that comes with time as you get used to how the trailer reacts to input when backing and how much angle you're putting in the truck during backing maneuvers. The trailer takes time to react, when it doesn't react right away, some tend to crank the heck out of the wheel causing you to over shoot your mark. Or, too much right at the beginning which can cause the same thing. You see it all the time, the truck is snaking all over the place when subtle inputs would have gotten it there just fine and wouldn't jeopardize everything on both sides of the truck lol. Just take your time and get comfortable with how she's reacting and in no time at all, it will just click.

I'm a now it all perfectionist. I know it (pun intended). I hate how uncomfortable I am with the backing. I know I'll get it eventually and if it takes me 30 min to back it so be it. Lol

After readi ng the old posts on this site it looks like a lot of drivers take 6 months to feel comfortable. I can't wait lol

Rainy wrote:

I'm a now it all perfectionist. I know it (pun intended). I hate how uncomfortable I am with the backing. I know I'll get it eventually and if it takes me 30 min to back it so be it. Lol

After readi ng the old posts on this site it looks like a lot of drivers take 6 months to feel comfortable. I can't wait lol

I would have to agree with that...6 months is about right. The way you approach and think about it will likely change as well. In the beginning the focus is always on the "backing". You will begin to realize that the setup is the true "devil" in the details of backing efficiently and if done correctly for each different scenario, will significantly reduce the time needed to get it done.

Absoutely the setup makes all the difference on the world

Absoutely the setup makes all the difference on the world

Yeah I watched a ton of videos .. but watching and doing are 2 different things. Someone said to grab cones and put them out. I intend to do this. Twice at Walmart at 3am I backed into the wrong door cause there was nothing there to guide me lol but it was dark.. and rainy. I think I'm tougher on myself than I should be too

A good flashlight will help out in the dark and crappy weather. Place it on the ground aiming it as a guide similar to a painted line on the ground. All you have to do is aim for it at that point and it makes all the difference in the world.

A good flashlight will help out in the dark and crappy weather. Place it on the ground aiming it as a guide similar to a painted line on the ground. All you have to do is aim for it at that point and it makes all the difference in the world.

That's an awesome tip thanks. I threw my yellow shirt down one night just to know which door lol

A good flashlight will help out in the dark and crappy weather. Place it on the ground aiming it as a guide similar to a painted line on the ground. All you have to do is aim for it at that point and it makes all the difference in the world.

Rainy, I think you said you have some cones. Set your flashlight on the ground shining up to the sky. Put the orange cone right over it. You can see it from anywhere!

I was terrible at backing when I started out and got no help from my trainers...they hardly even let me try. I was sent out solo completely unready. I dreaded every pickup and delivery and rest stop. Here's what helped me.

Small as possible movements on the wheel. Everyone will tell you that. Don't get any more bent up than you have to be.

If you're absolutely sure you are not up to backing at an extremely tight or crowded or irrationally laid out location (like the tractor supply in east wareham, mass. to name one) without busting up your truck or something else, simply don't do it. If it's a truck stop, go somewhere else. if it's a customer.... Call dispatch and just say no. A starter company won't fire you...they will send another driver to back it for you, four days later no one will remember or care, and you won't have the preventable accident on your record.

Whenever you have time, get into the far corner of a huge petro or TA where you can't possibly hit anything and just roll around backwards. Make some half assed backs with no eyes or pressure on you. get a feel for what your input on the wheel does to the truck.

Have your tandems all the way back whenever possible when backing while you figure out what you're doing...or at least have them in the same consistent location when you back. It takes one variable out of the equation. I liked all the way back because then you didn't have that big trailer overhang on your blind side to worry about and you can just watch the wheels, get them in the right place.

And keep in mind that however bad you are, within two or three months of doing it every day in a sink or swim type situation, you will be more or less as good as the rest of us. It will eventually just click in.