Backing

Someone called CFI complaining Big Scott took too long backing into a truck stop space and he GOALed. Safety congratulated him lol

Yes, I was practicing as a new driver in an almost empty truck stop. I was trying to hit the spot I wanted in a row of empty spaces.

So, GOAL before you start your set up, GOAL after you set up and before you start backing, GOAL as much as you need.

When you GOAL walk all the way around your truck and trailer. Look for any obstacles and reference points, also look for overhead obstructions.

Remain calm.

Good luck.

Backing was a problem for me at first. But I gradually trained myself to anticipate moves. I also talked to myself. I really struggled with driving into a 250x150 pole barn and backing between poles in a mist of grain dust. But practice made perfect. I talked myself into being confident. You can do it too.

I will start my very first load by myself on Tuesday or Wednesday, I am still having a little trouble with backing. While in training, my mentor always took over or they wanted me to hurry up and park because other truck was behind us. I thought we were suppose to take our time no matter what. So what should I do?

Just take it nice and slow. And G.O.A.L

If you can see tracks of other trailers leading back to the dock, use those tracks to guide your tandems.

Wear a hat. Keeps the nervous sweat out of your eyes. Shut off the CB and your sound system. Roll down windows to avoid reflected glare off passenger side window. GOAL. You've got this... be patient. It will take hundreds more iterations, but you'll get it.

I just got my CDL in June and struggled with backing. I actually took a job at a local dairy as a yard driver and boy do we do some backing up! Isn’t exactly my dream 💭 trucking job but it is allowing me to sharpen my backing skills.

I have very little to offer in the form of advice, but as a new driver, I can tell you I share your feelings regarding backing. So, you are not alone. I am now in my 8th month and have found that if I can get my setup correct I’m golden. One exception - truck stop back into single slot where I need to hug the truck on drivers side and basically create an L with truck/trailer - just has not “sunk in” yet. And offers the greatest risk of hitting another truck! So, I pass on that whenever I can. Only other thing I try to make sure I have is nose room. Why they park empties in front of docks??? But they do. ... I agree with all the comments regarding “take your time, ask for help if available, GOAL, etc” Honestly, I read those early on, did little to quell sweat flops in the moment, but trust me, with time your emotions will level out. Lastly, I readily help another driver, just another set of eyes, I offer no advise at this point, just pay-it-forward from those that have helped me.

Most people aren’t naturally good at backing. The only thing you have very good control over when your new is your set up. If your set it up is good and the trailer is pointed at the hole your going to get it in eventually.

Cant be said enough. GOAL. I've been solo a year and a half and still stress over backs. Not sure what your situation is but I found starting my day at around 2 or 3am gets me wide open truck stops around noonish to end my day. With that you can practice for awhile then still get a nice straight shot out in the early am when you get rolling. My companies trailers have tails so I get two free get out and looks every time, lol. I'll usually close one and then purposely "forget" the other just so I can get out again. (In my mind they're not judging me) but I also still get out and look and when I get to where I know I'm good I get out one more time. (Yes I've had airhorns blown at me and I just wave like they're old friends.)