Reference Points For Backing

There are 3 backing maneuvers I do on a regular basis. 1) the 45 degree back. 2) the 90 degree back. 3) straight back with room to turn 90 degrees for the setup. I’m sure all drivers do these set-ups on a very regular basis.

What are your reference points for these 3 situations? I’ve noticed that there is some variation among drivers as to reference points and set up styles. For example, you are coming in perpendicular to a row of spaces. You want a specific space and can turn 90 degrees and have plenty of space to pull up and then do a straight back. You want to end up with the trailer tandems aligned with the space for a straight back. When do you start your 90 degree turn in relation to the space you want to back into?

I’ve gotten pretty capable of backing, (with 13 months experience. Yeah, I’m a slow learner, lol.) but like a lot of drivers, I’m still trying to refine my backing skills. I like to hear tips from other drivers in this regard.

For a 90, if I have enough space to do a u turn, I come in about 3 feet from the trailers on my passenger side. As my door reaches the middle of the trailer to the right of the trailer to the right of the space I need, I turn hard left until my trailer is close to contacting my cab extenders and watch out the drivers side until the trailer to the left comes into view, then turn hard right to straighten out. Keep watching your trailer. It will end up right in front of the space you want to put it into.

Practice and adjust your starting point until it works for you.

I spent a year setting up for a driver side back until I saw guys doing this and find it way easier to do it this way

There are 3 backing maneuvers I do on a regular basis. 1) the 45 degree back. 2) the 90 degree back. 3) straight back with room to turn 90 degrees for the setup. I’m sure all drivers do these set-ups on a very regular basis.

What are your reference points for these 3 situations? I’ve noticed that there is some variation among drivers as to reference points and set up styles. For example, you are coming in perpendicular to a row of spaces. You want a specific space and can turn 90 degrees and have plenty of space to pull up and then do a straight back. You want to end up with the trailer tandems aligned with the space for a straight back. When do you start your 90 degree turn in relation to the space you want to back into?

I’ve gotten pretty capable of backing, (with 13 months experience. Yeah, I’m a slow learner, lol.) but like a lot of drivers, I’m still trying to refine my backing skills. I like to hear tips from other drivers in this regard.

45 I do shoulder even with the center of the next space and do the z turn from there.

90 if I have the room, I put a slight 10 to 15 degree angle on it from the spot and drive forward til my end of the trailer is about 3 or 5 spaces past, then just back till it Jack knives on its own along a natural arc.

I don't really have a setup for the straight back, I usually just get it close enough and freestyle it in.

There are 3 backing maneuvers I do on a regular basis. 1) the 45 degree back. 2) the 90 degree back. 3) straight back with room to turn 90 degrees for the setup. I’m sure all drivers do these set-ups on a very regular basis.

What are your reference points for these 3 situations? I’ve noticed that there is some variation among drivers as to reference points and set up styles. For example, you are coming in perpendicular to a row of spaces. You want a specific space and can turn 90 degrees and have plenty of space to pull up and then do a straight back. You want to end up with the trailer tandems aligned with the space for a straight back. When do you start your 90 degree turn in relation to the space you want to back into?

I’ve gotten pretty capable of backing, (with 13 months experience. Yeah, I’m a slow learner, lol.) but like a lot of drivers, I’m still trying to refine my backing skills. I like to hear tips from other drivers in this regard.

I don't really focus on reference points and such. A lot of the places where I back, like in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and similar cities, there isn't enough room to do textbook backing. I generally go by feel in places where it's my first time or it's been a while. After that, it's muscle memory. I have found that what can really make or break getting that trailer in -- and the truck -- without too much wrestling is how well I steer going back. Too much or too little and I am doing 10 pull ups. A not-so-great setup can be worked with the right steering input, but even the best setup can be ruined by incorrect steering input.