Blindside Backing

I finally see why they call it blind side! You can't see Crap! Lol. I was parking at a truck stop & the only spot I could get into required me to blindside it in. My backing already isn't that great so I caught HELL! But after getting out to look about 20 times every foot or so I backed up because I haven't learned how to judge what I see in my mirrors vs how much space I actually have. I finally got it in! Took me all of about 30 minutes! I was glad no other trucks were behind me waiting but even then I would not have cared I mean if they would have been in that much of a rush they would have helped in sure. But man I feel like I accomplished something! That's 1 more box I can check mark on my list. I did this maneuver as slow & as safe as possible, I got it in without hitting anything or anyone so i guess i succeeded. Best advice I have been giving that I can give to others is definitely GOAL & if you have to goal 20 times as I did so be it. Stay Safe!

Good job Mr. T!

I understand what your saying about being confident in what you're seeing in your mirrors. Over the years I've learned to use that convex mirror well, but it took some time getting accustomed to it.

You may already know this, but if you don't, here's a tip when blind side backing: Most trucks have an electric adjustment button for the mirrors. You can use that and swing that passenger side mirror way out so that you can see a few things. That helps, but it is no substitute for G.O.A.L.ing.

Another tip: Depending on your model of truck (I drive a T-680) try opening the shade on the passenger side sleeper window. It isn't perfect, but it really opens up the angle you can see from your seat.

Obviously this only works if you don't have a co-driver, or they are already up.

Yay ;) good for you. There's a TA in VA that only has blindsided parking... I avoid tat place at all costs lol

I finally see why they call it blind side! You can't see Crap! Lol. I was parking at a truck stop & the only spot I could get into required me to blindside it in. My backing already isn't that great so I caught HELL! But after getting out to look about 20 times every foot or so I backed up because I haven't learned how to judge what I see in my mirrors vs how much space I actually have. I finally got it in! Took me all of about 30 minutes! I was glad no other trucks were behind me waiting but even then I would not have cared I mean if they would have been in that much of a rush they would have helped in sure. But man I feel like I accomplished something! That's 1 more box I can check mark on my list. I did this maneuver as slow & as safe as possible, I got it in without hitting anything or anyone so i guess i succeeded. Best advice I have been giving that I can give to others is definitely GOAL & if you have to goal 20 times as I did so be it. Stay Safe!

I'm so glad our trucks have the spot mirrors on the front. Once you get used to it, that right spot mirror gives you a pretty good idea of where your trailer is. Like OS said, the convex mirror is also very helpful.

Something I do sometimes that can help reduce the time and stress involved is to pull the brake and move over to the passenger seat to look out that mirror. Please don't construe this as me saying not to GOAL. GOAL as much as you need to, even if it's every foot. It just helps me to do this in place of some of the GOALs (for example, a good time to try this might be when you know there is alot of open space around your trailer and you just want to make sure you're pointing it in the right direction.)

Thanks a lot everyone! & yes nothing safer than to GOAL. I never thought to use that spot mirror on the front of the truck! Man where was my brain at??? Lol I'll definitely use it next time if I ever have to do it again. But as you all say practice makes perfect!

Yeah, that fender mirror died double duty!!

Look behind you! See around corners!

Yeah, that fender mirror died double duty!!

Look behind you! See around corners!

AAAACK! If you don't proof read, it'll come back and bite you every time!

Yeah, that fender mirror does double duty!!

AAAACK! If you don't proof read, it'll come back and bite you every time!

Yeah, that fender mirror does double duty!!

Oh wow! YOU made made a mistake