Anyone Else Have A Bit Of OCD With Backing?

I've been thinking about this for awhile now. I frequently will have the trailer almost all the way in, and sometimes completely parked and then pull up and reposition it. Sometimes several times.

I find that I have a really hard time letting it go. It drives me nuts if the lines aren't parallel and if the trailer isn't centered and parallel to both the trailers next to it and the lines.

I had the problem from day one in training and still today. It can't be healthy. I've still had times where other drivers asked me why I pulled out. All I could say was that I just didn't like it.

May sound comical but I literally have to breathe and concentrate on just accepting its good enough where it is. I can manage to about half the time, on bad days though, I've wasted a lot time.

Hey Davy. I don’t think your habit is unusual at all. Many drivers consider what you do as a sign of professionalism. Getting it centered and parallel is important to a lot of drivers My philosophy is to never worry about other drivers when backing. I will take as many GOAL’s and pull-ups as necessary because I’m super paranoid about hitting something. Sometimes I know I irritate other drivers, but they will get over it.

As we gain experience this will change. I’m a mediocre backer now, but in another 6 months I’ll be better. So will you and then you will be able to back it in just right almost every time.

I have a hard time letting it go too. It has to be as close to parallel as possible and when I'm bumping a dock, it has to be completely against the building with no gap (other than the dock plate gap).

Totally normal and preferred over the lazy driver’s approach if not my problem anymore. Eventually you’ll perfectly split the lines without thinking about it and typically with no additional pull-up.

I don't have that issue. I back it perfect every time on the first shot. J/K of course. Its not even an OCD thing. I like to center the space I'm dropping in. If everyone took a few seconds to do it things would be easier. Ever pick up a trailer and have to ask the yard dog to move it because some lame driver dropped his 3 inches from yours and the landing gear handle can't turn? So have i and it sucks. I feel its more a matter of respect and common courtesy for your fellow drivers. Something this industry lacks enough of IMHO.

Not unusual at all. I do the same thing. I will be courteous and not make guys trying to drive past wait on me too. If I'm in a spot and even if it's not centered, I'll back in enough to let trucks past then do my pull-ups after they have gone through and it's clear. Not saying you don't do it that way, but I have seen guys who will hold up an entire truckstop trying to get themselves perfect.

Professional Courtesy... I wish everyone practiced this. Good read JakeBreak, setting the good example.

Not unusual at all. I do the same thing. I will be courteous and not make guys trying to drive past wait on me too. If I'm in a spot and even if it's not centered, I'll back in enough to let trucks past then do my pull-ups after they have gone through and it's clear. Not saying you don't do it that way, but I have seen guys who will hold up an entire truckstop trying to get themselves perfect.

I just figured I was a finish carpenter for too long. The world I lived in was determined in the 32nds of an inch. What I mean by that is everything had to be precise but done in lightening quick time.

I struggled for a long time in thinking that a 45 back meant the trailer had to be at 45 degrees from the hole. I still today talk to myself and tell myself think Arc after Gtowns advice early on. I appreciate the validation on it.

I'll keep on my existing path with backing. I need to work on some other things with it, mostly have had a few close calls when swinging back underneath it on the passenger side, so I want to eliminate that, but I'll get it. Most days I'm pretty comfortable with backing though. I don't think I could just drive off with it looking bad, courtesy as you guys said, pride in craftsmanship too.

I do the same thing lol. I think I’m a little less of a perfectionist than I used to be but I still like it straight and centered.

Just kidding I’m a flatbedder so I don’t back anymore 😂

I do the same thing lol. I think I’m a little less of a perfectionist than I used to be but I still like it straight and centered.

Just kidding I’m a flatbedder so I don’t back anymore 😂