45 Degree /90degree Help

First ever post on here so please spare me. I have 3 months experience in Flatbed so I never really backed up anywhere. Coming to dry van it's a whole nother game. I actually Just completed my first solo load it went pretty well except for the final backing. It was a tight spot . I didn't ever get it in there so we the repower came and just told em to drop it in the middle of the isle so he could get I.

I have a lot of trouble with the 90 degree or 45 degree backing. I feel like I do better with the 45 degree but it still takes forever to get it in the spot if I even do. I was wondering if anyone had any tips such as set up distance wheel placement anything would be extremely appreciated .

I have 3 months experience in Flatbed so I never really backed up anywhere.

You CHOSE to never back up. I’ll try to get in a couple backs every day with my flatbed just for the practice. And that is what you need-practice. At three months you should have the beginning of understanding how the trailer and tractor act and react to each other. Find a truck stop at ten am and just practice hitting empty spots. People telling me how to do it never really worked for me, just had to get out there and figure out what worked and what didn’t.

Don’t know if it carries over to dry van , but for me, setup is the most important thing in backing. A good setup will make even a tricky back easier. A bad setup will just cost you minutes trying to recover.

Flatbedders unable to back is a pet peeve of mine. Just because we don’t do it every stop, doesn’t mean we will never do it and sometimes in some bad situations. Being unable to do a necessary part of the job just seems like choosing to not be truly professional at the job, especially since there is no reason to not learn the skill. One of my prouder moments was a month ago, hitting a bay off a blindside and around an s curve on the first try, and the loader telling me he could count on one hand the number of guys who could get it in under ten minutes. Felt good, but it took practicing every day for eight months.

A lot of the time you can see across the top of your trailer. Not something you can do with a van. It really is a lot different. Did you guys take your test and learn in CDL school with a van though? I know you forget if you don't do something a lot, but don't you get the basics? For 45 I learned a pretty good method. Drive up til your shoulder is in the middle of the hole. Be perpendicular to it about 3 to 5 feet away. I have an auto man so I put it in first gear, creep mode then I don't touch the throttle. Creep up until your shoulder gets to the far side of the next spot/trailer then hard right until your tractor gets to 12:00, then hard left until you get to 9:00. STOP. Don't stop or use throttle the entire time you're moving. Now you straighten the steers and slowly back towards the hole. This will get you pretty close so just GOAL and adjust as needed. You shouldn't need many pull ups to get perfect.

Here is some if what I teach at the Swift Academy (truck school) in Memphis:

(Note: it's hard to do a setup if you aren't sure how to get the trailer into the dock. Also, I'll assume you want to do the classic "90 left" as you sit in the driver seat.)

The first part of your job is to get the back end of the trailer close to the start of the "slot" you are needing into. Besides keeping a decent angle door trailer, not much else matters. But be aware of those things around you that you might crunch into.

The side of the slot closest to you, I'll call the left side, where it will be when you get backed in. It is the easiest to turn toward. The side father away (the right side) is harder. So first aim toward the right side first.

When you start your backing, turn the steering wheel "away" from your destination side, toward the right if you're backng in to the the left.

Brakes off, start backing. Watch the back corner of the trailer (not the tires/ wheels) and watch for it to start heading towards that far (right) corner.

When that happens, stop for a second. The trailer should look like it's going past the far corner of the slot right now. Turn the steering wheel left, either back to straight or maybe one turn past straight. Back up a short distance, and watch the back of the trailer.

You can now pay attention to that left side of the slot, but remember it's hard to get away from it if it gets too close.

On a left backing, a simple right turn on the steering wheel will get you on top of the left corner, but it's almost impossible to get away from it if that happens. So as you turn, favor the right side first.

By now you should be able to look directly out the window at the back of the trailer and left side of your slot. Back up, watch, and add some left turn to start getting into the box.

Once the back of the trailer gets close to that right side point, turn the wheel hard/ all the way LEFT. It's time to start straightening every thing out. Keep a close eye on that left corner. If you think it's coming too close, twist the wheel some right, but not too much.

If everything goes to plan and the back of the trailer is between the left and right sides, turn your steering right and begin pushing the nose of the trailer right to line up with the box.

I hope this gives you a starting point.

I have 3 months experience in Flatbed so I never really backed up anywhere.

You CHOSE to never back up. I’ll try to get in a couple backs every day with my flatbed just for the practice. And that is what you need-practice. At three months you should have the beginning of understanding how the trailer and tractor act and react to each other. Find a truck stop at ten am and just practice hitting empty spot.

Obviously I had to go back for truck stops and etc. All I've ever had to do in Flatbed is straight line or offset and I use that word loosely. I've never had to alley dock a flatbed and I've done a few a 45. My question was how I could get better at 45* like there was something that was missing . But thanks for the "help."

Errol . Thank that was exactly what I was looking for something in depth that I was lacking I appreciate it!

A lot of the time you can see across the top of your trailer. Not something you can do with a van. It really is a lot different. Did you guys take your test and learn in CDL school with a van though? I know you forget if you don't do something a lot, but don't you get the basics? For 45 I learned a pretty good method. Drive up til your shoulder is in the middle of the hole. Be perpendicular to it about 3 to 5 feet away. I have an auto man so I put it in first gear, creep mode then I don't touch the throttle. Creep up until your shoulder gets to the far side of the next spot/trailer then hard right until your tractor gets to 12:00, then hard left until you get to 9:00. STOP. Don't stop or use throttle the entire time you're moving. Now you straighten the steers and slowly back towards the hole. This will get you pretty close so just GOAL and adjust as needed. You shouldn't need many pull ups to get perfect.

Yes I learned in a dry van and I have backing knowledge . I can eventually always get the in the spot I just want to be more proficient.

Here is a backing video that I find very helpful. CR England Backing Video.