Backing Help Needed: Turning Front Vs. Back Of Trailer

"Road rage" is not part of a trucker's job description.

"

Please do not run the two thoughts together.

Yes, we laugh at "It sucks being you" and "should have left earlier." That is actually confirmation that I own my space which, unfortunately for him/her happens to be the big slow truck in front! Even confirms I know they don't like it. But the "moves" he taught were designed as space management and had NOTHING to do with road rage.

Interesting discussion about what is correct, safe, proper... what safety and LEO might say/do, etc. but the intent was clear and proper IMO.

Road rage was never a part if it!

The road rage wasn't on your end, however, what about the smaller vehicle following you? He may have the opinion that you're purposely blocking him, or causing a problem. This could escalate it to an actual road rage situation, Marc.

The road rage wasn't on your end, however, what about the smaller vehicle following you? He may have the opinion that you're purposely blocking him, or causing a problem. This could escalate it to an actual road rage situation, Marc.

Agreed, PackRat. That was something I hadn't considered. Thank you for pointing it out!

Pretty sure the intent was to either give the driver an easier passing opportunity or us more space.

What they thought, if they thought anything at all is hard to guess!

These drivers do some stupid stuff! Actual thinking on their part sometimes rarely occurs at all.

Weekly, just when I think I've seen the supposed dumbest thing ever, some other driver unfortunately moves to the top of the list.

Marc, was the 55 mph "move" on a 2 lane road? The way I handle 2 lane roads is I will hug the right line to give them a better view and maintain my speed. If they decide to pass they have a better view due to where I am in my lane and I will slow down a little if needed once they move over to pass. I'm not trying to dictate what they do, however if they try to pass when it isnt safe chances are I would get caught up in a wreck if one would happen so I may as well back off a bit.

It seems like things are going well for you, keep it up!

Marc, was the 55 mph "move" on a 2 lane road? The way I handle 2 lane roads is I will hug the right line to give them a better view and maintain my speed. If they decide to pass they have a better view due to where I am in my lane and I will slow down a little if needed once they move over to pass. I'm not trying to dictate what they do, however if they try to pass when it isnt safe chances are I would get caught up in a wreck if one would happen so I may as well back off a bit.

It seems like things are going well for you, keep it up!

Thanks. Yes Rob. 2 lane, 55. Portion of pictured route coming out of Escanaba, running along the lake. Tried "giving them a look" multiple times (while trying to avoid getting scolded or needing to "tell on myself" for a lane deviation. I do realize tailgating is often a sign of a desire and intent to pass in such situations. Also... there was no one ahead or behind him/her during most of this interaction. Just no valid reason to be riding my ass! Sun was high and bright and vehicle was often so close I couldn't see its shadow!

Yes... generally going well, I think. Hoping to make significant progress this week!

View from my Office Window twice last week:

I like to watch how the trailer is drifting and adjust. Naturally if you've got the cab at an angle to the trailer and back straight up, the trailer will drift further and further to the side. I use this to drift the trailer into the spot.

As I'm passing my intended spot I'll turn to the right and pull my trailer tandems just past the spot. Then turn left just enough to get my cab on the left side of the trailer at an angle. Usually now my cab is perpendicular with the spot while my trailer is at angle pointing towards the top of the spot or just slightly in front of it. Now I'll start slowly backing straight back and watch how rapidly the trailer is drifting towards the spot. This is where I will use "Steer towards trouble". If it's drifting to fast towards the driver's side I'll turn the wheel towards the driver's side. This will reduce the truck/trailer angle and reduce the rate of drift. Alternatively if it's not drifting enough and headed towards the passenger side spot, I'll turn wheel towards the passenger side to increase the truck/trailer angle. After making an adjustment I return steers to center to continue backing and again observe how it's drifting, and make further corrections if needed. Get the angle right and the trailer puts itself right in the spot.

It's a more gradual method. I dislike putting the truck/trailer at 90° or similar "jackknife" angles.

Another thing when backing between two trucks. Don't be afraid of getting close to the truck on your driver's side. It's better to be closer to the obstacle that you can see, rather than having a nice comfortable gap on your driver's side while decreasing your clearance on your blind side. This is especially helpful if your trailer tandems are far forward leaving you with substantial tail swing. I'll often back into a spot very close to the driver's side truck, then use a pull up to center myself now that I can clearly see the passenger side truck in my mirrors.

If at any time you are in any way unsure of your positioning, is time to get out and look.

Good explanation. And the 90 is good for really tight spots, not really for normal parking.

I suggested doing it in an empty lot as a way to see how the truck/trailer angle affects the rear of the trailer.

These drivers do some stupid stuff! Actual thinking on their part sometimes rarely occurs at all.

Weekly, just when I think I've seen the supposed dumbest thing ever, some other driver unfortunately moves to the top of the list.

Yes indeed! Also part of the fun! We got passed by an unmarked dark colored Charger. Guy ahead who flew by me apparently sped up because he didn't want to be passed. LEO pulled behind, probably ran the plates and lit him up!

This was @ about 03:30 on I-41, 2 lanes (divided) in each direction with almost no one out there.

Laughed about that one several times throughout the day!

The people cutting back and forth, crossing from far left in front of us to exit immediately, risking collisions and near misses to race to the red light or maybe the stale yellow they run continue to amaze. I am showing great air horn restraint and we even discuss it! Sometimes he asks why I didn't use my horn. One time we agreed I showed "great restraint" with 2 quick toots.

Again... we discuss what idiots they are and how we are being paid to drive and ride in this awesome machine.

So far... MOSTLY GOOD!

Marc wrote:

We both laugh. He gave me some "moves" for a tailgater. Slowed from 55 to 50. When that didn't work it was flashers and 45. He backed off a bit, then repeated it and so did we. After someone else passed us both he finally passed us.

I’d like to hear what Veriha’s Safety Director would say about the above “move”. I doubt “laughter” would be a part of his assessment.

It’s neither smart or safe; and can serve only to escalate into a potentially dangerous situation for you Marc. Our job is to stay out of trouble on the highways and interstates, not provoke or antagonize. Also realize that an overzealous LEO can write a citation for obstructing the flow of traffic if they observe something like this.

I encourage you NOT to practice this type of behavior no matter how funny it may seem and focus primarily on managing the space in front of you, next to you and not become distracted by a tailgating 4-wheeler or CMV.

Be safe.

I’m confused. Everything I have seen or have been told was to do exactly that when someone is tailgating me. Slow down to increase my following distance in case I have to stop, and to allow the tailgater to pass.

Also try looking for other trucks tracks. Snow or mud make it easier. Back in on their tracks.

Marc wrote:

We both laugh. He gave me some "moves" for a tailgater. Slowed from 55 to 50. When that didn't work it was flashers and 45. He backed off a bit, then repeated it and so did we. After someone else passed us both he finally passed us.

I’d like to hear what Veriha’s Safety Director would say about the above “move”. I doubt “laughter” would be a part of his assessment.

It’s neither smart or safe; and can serve only to escalate into a potentially dangerous situation for you Marc. Our job is to stay out of trouble on the highways and interstates, not provoke or antagonize. Also realize that an overzealous LEO can write a citation for obstructing the flow of traffic if they observe something like this.

I encourage you NOT to practice this type of behavior no matter how funny it may seem and focus primarily on managing the space in front of you, next to you and not become distracted by a tailgating 4-wheeler or CMV.

Be safe.

I’m confused. Everything I have seen or have been told was to do exactly that when someone is tailgating me. Slow down to increase my following distance in case I have to stop, and to allow the tailgater to pass.

Slowing to 45mph ??? No confusion there. It’s an antagonistic move, unsafe.

I stand by what I wrote and agree with Errol’s reply.