I Love Backing

I don't really like backing, but at least I'm not afraid of it any more, and I usually get it the first try. Lately it seems I've had more than my usual share of strange places to back into though.

Yesterday I pulled in nose first to get a load, then realized too late that there was nowhere to do a U-ie so I could back into the building. I had to back out onto the street, pull into the neighbor's driveway, then back into the driveway and then into the door. They wanted it really close to one side of the door. I was over too far, so I had to do a couple of pull ups to get it over. Made me think about doing one of Errol's backing practice things.

Had another odd backing situation a few days ago. It wasn't tight, I just wondered why they couldn't clean some of the junk out of the yard in back so you could pull in and turn around. It's a flatbed place, after all!

But today I got to go nose first through a tight spot on a job site, get unloaded, then turn around in a great big pasture. All I had to worry about was starting the weeds on fire with my exhaust pipe. I like doing that kind of thing more. Maybe I'm the weird one!

In certainly improving. Whats crazy is if my codriver attempts to "help" me i get conpletely screwed up because i dont back like he does. Also the more room i have the more all over the place i am and do better with tighter spots lol

Sue, I've discovered that most women process the information needed for backing completely different from most men. I'm not sure why we are usually different like that, but it has been an observation of mine when it comes to trying to explain how to back a big truck.

Whats crazy is if my codriver attempts to "help" me i get conpletely screwed up because i dont back like he does.

Damn Men! They think they know EVERYTHING!!! lol

Sue, I've discovered that most women process the information needed for backing completely different from most men. I'm not sure why we are usually different like that, but it has been an observation of mine when it comes to trying to explain how to back a big truck.

I'm kinda the same way, I thought it was just me though like if there's no markings or lines on the ground on where I should park my trailer then I just go everyone. When I have to back between 2 trucks I know where I have to aim my trailer at.

It's like you're more accurate when you have to worry about your surroundings.

I still can't back worth beans. I'm very worried about going solo in two weeks, or worse, having a new co driver see that I can't back. :-(

I still can't back worth beans. I'm very worried about going solo in two weeks, or worse, having a new co driver see that I can't back. :-(

Look on the brightside your co driver can help you out if you're in a pickle.

Thats very interesting that yoyve noticed that OS. Its just frustrating because he tries to get me to setup like he does and it just doesnt work for me and his "help" ends up making me angry lol. A good day backing for me is when he is comatose in the sleeper. Left to my own devices i do quite well most of the time.

I still can't back worth beans. I'm very worried about going solo in two weeks, or worse, having a new co driver see that I can't back. :-(

You will improve as long as you continue to focus on it. I didn't believe my trainer when he told me I would be able to back in any situation after 6 months otr. He was right.

Phoenix, one thing that was awful for me to wrap my head around was the amount of distortion you get from only using your mirrors. If you arent already doing this, look out your window at your tandems as you back so you know exactly where you are steering your trailer. A tip fron a yard dog.. Go ahead and slide your tandems all the way back before backing in... Youll have much less swing and more control so youre less likely to have the end of your trailer swing into stuff or make it harder for you to get it in the parking space or dock straight. Something else my codriver finds wacky.. When docking i imnmdiately slide my tandems before i setup, while he waits to do that until he is almost at the dock.