Offset Backing Tips Needed

I'm currently in CDL school with Swift. I took my skills evaluation yesterday and passed all 3 (straight line backing, offset right and 90 degree alley dock), but while practicing today I was trying to polish up my offsets. I was having a really hard time after I bent the trailer at a 45 degree angle, then brought the tractor around so they were both straight. The problem I'm having is after that: either my trailer ended up way too tight with the money cone, or it was at just too steep an angle to back in without pulling up. I really want to get this down (as well as my 90s; I passed both but it wasn't pretty). Any tips to help me cut down on pullups?

Couple of thoughts...

The box Swift uses is 2 feet narrower than the box your state's DOT will use when you test for your CDL. So keep that in mind.

Since you already passed the Academy's backing test, you have time to work on this. I don't think you are necessarily doing anything wrong, you just need to continue practicing. Focus on learning how quickly or slowly your trailer responds to your steering input. Learning the art of setting up is just as important and as you get more consistent will actually make backing easier.

Reality is, it takes a while, months to consistently nail a 45 with no pull-ups. Relax, you will get it.

either my trailer ended up way too tight with the money cone, or it was at just too steep an angle to back in without pulling up.

So I hope the difference between "too tight" and "too steep an angle" was because you did something different each time. For these backing exercises, try to remember just how much you turned the wheel and where the fabled money cone lined up. Mostly, pay attention to the angle of your bend. (Watch the rivets & corner of the trailer for landmarks in making the bend angle.)

Swift makes it hard on you on purpose. There's no slack, not much extra room in their layouts. The instructors will tell you the layout is 1 foot smaller than the DOT one. So on my DOT test, I felt like I was backing into a basketball court! Just something to look forward to.

Your patience will be in short supply, but hold onto it!

If you're lining up & need more space towards one side or another, turn towards where you need the space. This works moving both forward & backwards.

Use slight corrections only. IE, need space on left, turn wheel slightly left (no more than 1/4) before you start to move...as soon as your tractor-trailer is no longer straight , straighten out & check your mirror again. Don't stop moving while doing this, it's one continual (left, straight, left, straight etc.).

The reason you don't want to stop is because there's a good chance (unless you're already moving straight when you stop) you won't be when you switch to reverse (or forward, whichever the case may be).

Also, make sure your distance between the cone and your trailer is correct before putting in the 2nd set of turns (the ones that straighten you up with the lanes). Check that your tires are straight when you GOAL.

If you forget to check your tires (or need them straight because you don't want to waste another GOAL), turn them ALL THE WAY to the left or right, and then 2 complete turns the opposite way.

Hope this helps.

I forgot to mention, one handy trick that made 45's +100% easier (that the instructor also whispered she wasn't "supposed to tell me" this) is instead of paying attention to the cones in your convex (they're so dang tiny!) is to simply "split your landing gear".

When you start your turn, if you watch your landing gear on the trailer slowly swing into view on the mirror (there's 2 triangles on your landing gear of the trailer held together in the middle by a short straight bar), STOP as soon as you completely see the 1st set of the 2 triangles in your mirror...but not the beginning of the 2nd set. Your truck is now at a perfect 45 degrees! Now simply straighten out.

Works...every...time.

Best advice I got: turn towards your problem. If your back tires are too far to the right, turn right. But don't make any large turns (unless you're setting up an offset or parallel or alley dock). Also, in your "top" mirrors you should only see slivers of your back tires. If you're seeing too much tire on one side, turn towards it slightly and it should balance out.