Tricks For Backing Skills For Short People!

So we did our straightline backing yesterday and I faileeeed!! I failed because my strailer was a lil bit out inside the yellow cone!! I was able to made it to go inside both but my trailer was not completely straight but not totally out still considered failed!!

I will still have chance to redu it this morning and I really need to pass it! Its not just me who failed but ton of us. Also we have a huge class and we're only using 6 trucks.. 4 students per truck. We practice since 7am to 11:30 am and did the test in the afternoon. I just really need more practice so anyone can please give me advice??? Tricks to make sure I am completely insite the cone!

Thank you!

Also I'm short and I need to stretch my legs totally down just to push the clutch! What is the tricks here? Should I push my chair lower or higher? My backing is not bad compared to other people who drift so much. My only problem is making the trailer totally straight after passing the last cone!

I'm short and I lower my seat. Try to focus nit on the back of the trailer but the front. When you see the numbers on the corner drifting correct it immediately but slightly . If you are using flatbed it is easier case there are reflectors on the front corners. If you can see one you are drifting.

I'm not sure I understand the keeping straight after through the cones. Once thru you pass lol so I'm confused

I was taught that you should only see a sliver of your rear tires in either side mirror. If you see more of one tire, turn your wheel towards that to right the trailer.

If you're doing it the way I had to in VA, you have to straight line back all the way until the front of your truck passed the last set of cones.

As for height issues, I pulled as close as possible, kept my seat lower (but still up to where I can see over the hood properly), and tilted the steering wheel up a little to get it off my lap. If you are still having problems, I used a large pillow to keep me more forward.

You always turn to your problem right? I was told that if you can't see both tire then you are not backing straight.. For example, you can't see ur tire on ur left side.. Then you need to turn ur steering all the way to left? So It will correct the left side???

I was able to pass all the cone..but when you see the alignment of the last cone My trailer was a lil over..So I failed but I didn't touch the cone or bump.

You always turn to your problem right? I was told that if you can't see both tire then you are not backing straight.. For example, you can't see ur tire on ur left side.. Then you need to turn ur steering all the way to left? So It will correct the left side???

I was able to pass all the cone..but when you see the alignment of the last cone My trailer was a lil over..So I failed but I didn't touch the cone or bump.

In straight-line backing the corrections are slight. If you over correct you will get into the cones. My problem was even with slight corrections I always ended up moving too far left or right. I did eventually figure it out. But, once outside the cones it didn't matter if the trailer was straight. With the offset it needed to be in the cones, and with the alley docking the tractor and trailer needed to be straight. I am only 5'4 and I could do it. I did raise my seat a little. You don't need to push the clutch all the way to the floor. One little trick they taught me too is....the mirrors tend to vibrate so if you rev the engine very slightly the mirrors stop vibrating (at least in the truck I was in). It helped a lot but took a couple of times to get right.

You always turn to your problem right? I was told that if you can't see both tire then you are not backing straight.. For example, you can't see ur tire on ur left side.. Then you need to turn ur steering all the way to left? So It will correct the left side???

I was able to pass all the cone..but when you see the alignment of the last cone My trailer was a lil over..So I failed but I didn't touch the cone or bump.

In straight-line backing the corrections are slight. If you over correct you will get into the cones. My problem was even with slight corrections I always ended up moving too far left or right. I did eventually figure it out. But, once outside the cones it didn't matter if the trailer was straight. With the offset it needed to be in the cones, and with the alley docking the tractor and trailer needed to be straight. I am only 5'4 and I could do it. I did raise my seat a little. You don't need to push the clutch all the way to the floor. One little trick they taught me too is....the mirrors tend to vibrate so if you rev the engine very slightly the mirrors stop vibrating (at least in the truck I was in). It helped a lot but took a couple of times to get right.

I tried backing up 4x and do my actual test coz we start a lil bit late ..I gues I just really need more practice...Hopefully I will pass this morning.. I really need to pass!

Quarter turns on the wheel for corrections. The biggest mistake most people make starting out is over steering once lined up, quarter turns on the wheel will prevent you from over steering. There are a variety of ways to make sure your straight, all the suggestions so far are great. Just make sure when you find one that works and stick with it!

I agree it sounds like you're correcting too much. I made a wrong turn today and had to straight back a half mile, and I still had a hard time keeping it completely straight the whole time. One of my instructors had a trick that still helps me keep it pretty straight--just keep the steering wheel moving. Rock it back and forth just a tad--not even quarter turns unless you start veering off course. I don't know why it works, but it does. Even if that doesn't work for you, avoid holding the wheel too long in one direction since corrections take a couple of seconds. Good luck

Thanks guys I will apply all of ur advice today and see what works best for me. Appreciate it!