Offset Backing Technique

Hi all, I'm Benjamin and I am attending a trucking school here in Texas. My instructor is say prior to offset backing turn the wheel all the way to the right or left depending on offset left or right. Which is fine and I agree but than he says to do a 3 second count but that I can't get no consistency from going to fast or slow. I have found information online of knowing you are at the right angle when you see 3/4 of the landing gear in the convex mirror. Could someone please elaborate how to use this method, because I can't use the corner of trailer over thetractor frame rail method due to we are using tractor w/ sleeper. Any and all help would be very much appreciated. 

Thanks all,

I did the same technique with a full sleeper in school. Just watch for the midddle point of the landing gear where the two beams meet and go a little past. While your in class you shouldnt be worrying about getting out and looking like you wiill on the test so I would suggest that. Watch your mirror until that point then get out and look at everything. Your trailer should be lined up with the lane you want. Now just get back under your trailer and get out and look again. Then slowly wrap it around that cone.

Dont be ashamed to hop out of the cab and look at whats going on. If your at home cutting your grass you dont just assume the lawnmowers working you check your work.

Strictly for the cdl test left offset, we were taught: pull all the way forward to your boundary line or cone, turn your wheel all the way to the right, back until you just barely see the down tube of the right side of your landing gear come into view on your West coast mirror (sitting Straight in the seat), stop, turn wheel all the way to the left, back until your tractor is straight with your trailer, stop, you should now see the right front corner cone in your right West coast mirror.

From here you now have to use your right convex to get your tandems past and around that cone. Might have to back up straight a few feet before turning the wheel left to start your trailer turning. Just go slow and don't oversteer. The slower you go the faster you can catch your trailer when you need to and leave yourself more room to correct if needed without a pull up.

I just noticed this post. Ben, please don't double post. I, among others, also answered your question here on the General Discussion page.