So I'm Gonna Train Newbies... Tips??

Ok, reference points. Example I can relate is the 45 degree backing. When I was first in training, I was taught to pull up until my left shoulder was midpoint to the space next to the parking spot I needed to back into. That was my “reference point”, I always had difficulty with this reference point. Then a new instructor taught me to pull up about 10 feet further to a new reference point and that made a great difference. Reference points can be used for straight backing. Most distribution centers have docks in line with lines across the way, if that makes any sense. Use these spots as reference points to get aligned straight to back into the dock. I hope someone more articulate than me, like one of the moderators or experienced drivers can elaborate on reference points. This concept has been very helpful to me.

If a driver can identify the reference points that work for them, then it becomes a matter of repeatability. Can anyone else help to explain this more clearly?

Oh yeah that totally makes sense now thank you. I remember being taught that years ago but I forgot all about it. I just kinda use my instincts now when setting up for a back but new drivers don’t have that achievement unlocked yet lol.

I’d love to hear more about what you and other drivers use as reference points. I’m sure that would be helpful for teaching setups.

On setups, thats where you position the tractor and trailer before you start to back it. A way that it was explained to me that made sense was where you put it before you put it away. If you ever watch a border collie herd. They put the sheep in an area a specific way before they put them into the hole. If you can find something she identifies with, see if you can find a parallel and use an analogy.

For reference points. drawing off of set up, they are simply visual cues on when to start turning or stop turning. Picture for a minute in your mind a perfect run of the mill set up for a standard 45. using a z turn. I look out my drivers side window and when my head and shoulders are even with the next spot past, I start my z turn, hard right. The next cue is that my tractor is facing straight ahead of the spot, or 12 oclock as we put it. So thats another reference point, it tells me to turn all the way left. Which brings me to another reference point, Im looking straight out the windsheild and im parallel to the dircetion I started. Now I can look back at my trailer and I notice its roughly at a 45 degree angle to the spot Im going for and in additon the tractor is roughly at a 45 degree angle to the trailer. (Tractor is the little spoon, Trailer is the big spoon)

Other reference spots would be the line (if there are any). I know you worked in construction as I did. Not sure if youre familiar with offset lines and grid lines, but we always used a 1 foot offset line of the actual grid line. So in this. Obviously I dont want my tandems directly on the line parking spaces, but its going to be pretty much ballpark of where I want the tandems and trailer end to arc to. I actually want them to hit about 6 inches to a foot off the line.

On the racetrack, we call any visual points markers, For instance you have braking markers, turn in markers, apex markers and exit markers. The simplest explanation is that they are simply signs that tell you when to do something like apply brakes, begin your turn, apply throttle, end your turn etc. The same thing applies to backing. They are simply points that when the trailer or tandems get to them, you do certain things, maybe tighten the turn or loosen the turn, Maybe get under it more or less. Backing is very fluid and dynamic, thus hard to break down into little segments. but basically over time, I break it down into setup, creating an arc with the tandems, and then into the hole and finally the straight back portion. Its just how I naturally ended up tackling backing when I struggle with it.

Keep in mind from a teaching standpoint, learning is defined as a sustained change in behavior. You can only plant the seeds and concepts, once she understands the concept, time becomes the teacher.

Get a toy truck to use as a teaching aid.

Get a toy truck to use as a teaching aid.

One thing I don’t hear being discussed much is what one instructor termed: “directing the front of the trailer”. For example, if you get the tandems of the trailer into the hole, you may not be straight in. The front of the trailer might be too far to the left or right. If the front needs to go to the drivers right, then the nose of the tractor needs to be pointed to the drivers left so as to move the front of the trailer to the right and get it parallel . As PackRat suggested, this concept can be very easily visualized by using a toy truck and trailer.

Quick question: Some of you have mentioned reference points for the "z" maneuver. When you say you wait until your body is parallel to the spot next to the hole, do you mean the beginning, middle, or end of the spot next to you? I'm getting a decent "feel" for when to cut it, but some standardized reference points might be helpful too.

As a trainee, the main thing I would say (as have others) is patience. I stay pretty calm under pressure, but my trainer does to, calmly re-directing me or explaining what to do differently. This takes the pressure off, and pressure, as Turtle says, causes distraction. After a backing maneuver, we'll often talk over what went well and what didn't, and he'll use his two hands to visualize the tractor and trailer. He also mentions about being as parallel to the hole before you enter the mouth of the hole in order to stay safe. That I have found helpful... I'm not aiming for "the hole" but rather a spot somewhat in front of the hole.

Lastly, with trainees other than your girlfriend, living together 24/7 is a huge challenge. I have gone above and beyond (I think) to be considerate and helpful; and I appreciate that my trainer often tolerates well the challenges of having me there, not complaining about the noise I must make when I (by necessity) climb into the bunk later than him, for example, little ways that he has shown kindness, etc.

Get a toy truck to use as a teaching aid.

Thanks I definitely will do this. I think by far this will be the best way to show her what I want her to try without actually doing it for her.

Mountain Matt:

Lastly, with trainees other than your girlfriend, living together 24/7 is a huge challenge.

Bruh 😂 It’s challenging even WITH your girlfriend. I’d say we’re doing really well with it all things considered but there are some times we want to kill each other lol.

I’ll try to respond more when I have time but gotta get moving right now. Thanks for the advice, I’m taking it all in 🙂

Pianoman,

Lol--I get that! I was being... optimistic! I actually can't imagine whether being in this closet with a significant other would be better or worse. On the one hand, you should like each other already (haha), but I guess with a stranger there is (ideally) some formality and politeness built in. I've probably spent more time with my trainer by now than some of my ex-wives! LOL

Matt, when I’m doing the 45 degree setup, I pull up 2 to 3 feet from the front of the space (perpendicular to the space). I used to use my left shoulder at the middle of the next space to make my hard right but an instructor showed me to go a little farther to the far side of the next space to make my hard right. That worked better for me.

The whole point is to try a reference point and practice it. If it works it’s great and then you can use it all the time. If not, adjust the reference point to your liking and then you have a repeatable method. It’s like applying the “scientific method” to backing.

Thanks for the clarification, Bruce--that's helpful! As I mentioned, I'm getting a "feel" for it, but a more repeatable method would be helpful. I'm getting "decent" (thick quotation marks) at adjusting my arc going back, but sometimes my trailer isn't far enough past the hole, so I suspect I would benefit from the same adjustment you made.

Matt, when I’m doing the 45 degree setup, I pull up 2 to 3 feet from the front of the space (perpendicular to the space). I used to use my left shoulder at the middle of the next space to make my hard right but an instructor showed me to go a little farther to the far side of the next space to make my hard right. That worked better for me.

The whole point is to try a reference point and practice it. If it works it’s great and then you can use it all the time. If not, adjust the reference point to your liking and then you have a repeatable method. It’s like applying the “scientific method” to backing.

Center of the spot as the default point as well for me. I adjust based on several factors.