That Dang Left Corner

Well I had to do some work on a tractor and trailer today. I had to take the truck out of the shop go hook up to the trailer go.around the the shop going to the right. Than pull up and back into the shop. it wasn't a straight line back it was at an angle than straighten up and into the shop. I completed all the maneuvers successfully however I found out when I couldn't see the left rear corner of my trailer I got really nervous. Both going forward and backward. Does this go away? Is there something I should do different?

Well I had to do some work on a tractor and trailer today. I had to take the truck out of the shop go hook up to the trailer go.around the the shop going to the right. Than pull up and back into the shop. it wasn't a straight line back it was at an angle than straighten up and into the shop. I completed all the maneuvers successfully however I found out when I couldn't see the left rear corner of my trailer I got really nervous. Both going forward and backward. Does this go away? Is there something I should do different?

You're doing better than many new drivers. So you're doing OK. This is a case of "what you don't see can hurt you. When you back up, with a bend between the tractor and the trailer, you do not see half of your truck! And it's the half that may well be ready to crunch a fender.

All companies preach G.O.A.L. (Get Out And Look) because you do need to get out and go around the "far" side of your truck to check things out. The best part of your story was the part when you said you got "really nervous" about what you can't see.

Now for the "does this go away?" question. After a while you will get a better sense of what's going on back there. However, you must never get in a position of having to say "I thought ..." to the driver of the truck with the newly broken mirror.

Look carefully. This is really an easy straight back situation. Can you tell which post is bent on each dock? Left one or right one?

Well I had to do some work on a tractor and trailer today. I had to take the truck out of the shop go hook up to the trailer go.around the the shop going to the right. Than pull up and back into the shop. it wasn't a straight line back it was at an angle than straighten up and into the shop. I completed all the maneuvers successfully however I found out when I couldn't see the left rear corner of my trailer I got really nervous. Both going forward and backward. Does this go away? Is there something I should do different?

You're doing better than many new drivers. So you're doing OK. This is a case of "what you don't see can hurt you. When you back up, with a bend between the tractor and the trailer, you do not see half of your truck! And it's the half that may well be ready to crunch a fender.

All companies preach G.O.A.L. (Get Out And Look) because you do need to get out and go around the "far" side of your truck to check things out. The best part of your story was the part when you said you got "really nervous" about what you can't see.

Now for the "does this go away?" question. After a while you will get a better sense of what's going on back there. However, you must never get in a position of having to say "I thought ..." to the driver of the truck with the newly broken mirror.

Look carefully. This is really an easy straight back situation. Can you tell which post is bent on each dock? Left one or right one?

What an awesome pic. That dang blind side.

Why do I get the feeling that Schneider was to blame for those posts being hit...

Why do I get the feeling that Schneider was to blame for those posts being hit...

Haha... that's a bit of a subliminal suggestion in that photo isn't it?

It looks like the left side to me. Obviously getting out and checking is the best option but is there a way to become more aware of what that blind side is doing so to speak? I will use my example of what I had done ( keep in mind I had plenty of room like almost give me fourty acres type of room) going forward that is if I were in a truck stop how would I know that left rear corner wouldn't hook a truck on my way out?

Pulling out far enough before making your turn. Never be afraid to GOAL. Those who don't are the ones most likely to damage another truck or trailer.

Why do I get the feeling that Schneider was to blame for those posts being hit...

Cause Swift trailers aren't orange?

It looks like the left side to me. Obviously getting out and checking is the best option but is there a way to become more aware of what that blind side is doing so to speak? I will use my example of what I had done ( keep in mind I had plenty of room like almost give me fourty acres type of room) going forward that is if I were in a truck stop how would I know that left rear corner wouldn't hook a truck on my way out?

The bent posts are on the right side of each dock. Most of you have not been to this place, and only know what you see. It is a trailer clean-out area at a Georgia Pacific paper plant. I pointed out this is a straight backing situation. The docks here are narrower than usual. The posts mark each side of the docking spot. Newer drivers commonly focus on the left side, since it's easier, and ignore the narrowness of the dock. Remember my earlier warning of "I thought ...."? Here it is: "I thought I had enough room on the right side."

Well that was unexpected! It does make sense though since as you pointed out I was focused on my driver side. In all honesty backing did not make me as nervous as pulling forward for the fact that I had two bright yellow posts on each side of the bay I was backing into however without them I would have been way off. Hopefully when I start my training I will get a good amount of practice.