"Okay, Let's Back Up" - The Ultimate Backing Thread

Hey Friends,

Backing is a skill that constantly needs to be refined. Since I'm a new driver, what backing tips have you learned that have helped you to improve?

Some of the things I have learned thus far in this journey (mostly learned from the YouTube Channel "Advanced Truck Backing") and not in order:

1) The Offset Law. 2) Strive for the following: Tires, Sides, and Tractor, and make each parallel to the dock. 3) Assess the situation before starting. 4) Watch out for the danger zone. 5) Find out where is my dock. 6) Use Google Earth to look at the dock (this is not always a guarantee).

Other tips I have learned from others or articles I have read:

1) Be brave enough to ask employees to move their cars if the dock is tight. 2) Ask the supplier what is the best way to back into the dock. 3) Use all the space...yes, ALL THE SPACE AVAILABLE.

How about you?

Single biggest thing is the set up, especially where space is limited.

AMEN!!!

Single biggest thing is the set up, especially where space is limited.

Definitely plus one for setup. The thought process of Ill fix a bad setup with maneuvering is a fail most of the time and at a minimum is risky. I dont have to be married to a bad setup.

Situations that allow only one attempt at a setup need to be well planned out ahead of time. I personally do it during my trip planning before I ever release the brakes. There is no subsitute for pre planning. Lots of street view and sat imaging recon. Especially if its somewhere Ive never been before. Ill go into it knowing the following: Route in, setup, type of back(s), waiting area, egress (exit plans) and alternative routes in and out and if possible how to come back around if I miss the setup.

Single biggest thing is the set up, especially where space is limited.

This is so true. I’ve posted this idea before, but it bears repeating.

When I first started, I carried with me two small safety cones. When I had the time and plenty of space at a customer’s yard or truck stop, I would use the cones to create a space to back in to. Then I could practice setting up for the backing maneuver and if I missed, the only thing run over were the cones. I really learned a lot by using this practice technique.

Definitely plus one for setup. The thought process of Ill fix a bad setup with maneuvering is a fail most of the time and at a minimum is risky. I dont have to be married to a bad setup.

Situations that allow only one attempt at a setup need to be well planned out ahead of time. I personally do it during my trip planning before I ever release the brakes. There is no subsitute for pre planning. Lots of street view and sat imaging recon. Especially if its somewhere Ive never been before. Ill go into it knowing the following: Route in, setup, type of back(s), waiting area, egress (exit plans) and alternative routes in and out and if possible how to come back around if I miss the setup.

I will take this advice for sure...I think calling the supplier is the key because the last dock I went to had so many danger zones (e.g. parked cars near the dock, poles, a telephone pole near the dock). I went into the situation blind. Sadly, Google Earth could not show the dock.

This is so true. I’ve posted this idea before, but it bears repeating.

When I first started, I carried with me two small safety cones. When I had the time and plenty of space at a customer’s yard or truck stop, I would use the cones to create a space to back in to. Then I could practice setting up for the backing maneuver and if I missed, the only thing run over were the cones. I really learned a lot by using this practice technique.

Fantastic idea!

Relates back to my school days for this. I had gotten great at all the manuevers they had us doing in the yard. Offsets, Straight backs(duh), and especially, the blind side parallel park in the box.....Every time in practicing the moves.

Come test day, I, and 5 others got the head instructor, by chance. When it came to our parking stuff, after the in cab, and walk around. So, I was 1st of 2nd doing the manuevers. Well, when it came time for the blind side parallel, I get set up and begin the backing in......I get in almost fully, BUT, in my passenger mirror, I think I am going to be out of bounds, and am going to pull up and try to "fix it"

The instructor, yells, for me to stop, set the brakes and get out, and walk over to him at the bench, with the others. Then he says " Ok, you can TRY and fix it, BUT you will fail, OT you can take a 10 point hit, and pass!".....Of course, he is probably right, so YEAH gimme the 10 point hit,and a pass! Was the only points I'd gotten, so far, so duhhhh I'll take to 90 v.s. a probable fail..

After that the next 2 people, get into the same problem, and given, and take the same option as he offered me.....

Another helpful thing Michael has used is checking out Google reviews for a location as other drivers will often give tips (including how to set up), a photo of site map they may have seen in the office when checking in, etc. In one instance a location was newer than any of the Google Maps and Google Earth and someone posted a photo of the streets and distribution center layout.

Today he went to 7-Up DC in Vernon, CA which he mentioned yesterday is very tight. I saw he was there this afternoon so I checked out Google reviews and many drivers said that it is very tight with a sleeper and that you'll usually be required to drop the trailer at the dock otherwise you're blocking operations. Oh, and several warnings about the "Spanish" lady at the guard shack being very rude but a little bit of humor also as one driver wrote that she apologized for interrupting her breakfast by asking her where to go. The reviews for this DC do include a photo of the site map with yellow arrows on where to go. At least a couple of times Michael has been able to get the phone number for the place from the reviews when his papers had the wrong phone number.

GOAL = Get Out And Look as often as you need to.

Take your time, don’t feel rushed by other impatient drivers. Ask for help spotting the blind side.

An experienced driver recently reinforced this with me a couple weeks ago while he helped guide me through a challenging docking situation. He didn’t want me to hit his trailer on my blindside. He was very nice about it and supportive.