Backing A Longer Vs Shorter Trailer
Topic 3646 | Page 1
Hi, everyone. I was told by a trucking school instructor that its harder to back a 32' trailer vs a 53' since the 32' is more responsive to steering input. He told me that its easier to drive the shorter trailer around town but as far as backing, if you can easily back a 32' trailer then the 53' ones would be no problem, is this true?
I'm trying to pick a school I would like to go to but the one that I am interested in only uses the 32' trailer so I don't know if it would be an advantage or disadvantage.
Yes this is true. shorter the trailer the faster it responds. which can be a good thing or bad. depends on how fast you are backing the trailer.
Same difference as long drawbar vs short drawbar on a trailer you tow behind your car.
It's true that backing a shorter trailer is harder, but at the same time you really should be learning on at least a 48 foot trailer, preferably a 53 foot because that's what you're going to be pulling once you get out there. The timing of your steering inputs and how far you turn the wheel will be considerably different for a 32 foot versus a 48 or 53 foot trailer. The principles of backing are all the same, but the timing is going to throw you off a bit once you get out there doing it for real. You'll adjust perfectly fine, but there will be an adjustment period.
All else being equal I would try to find a school with at least 48 foot trailers but I wouldn't avoid going to a school simply because they have 32 foot trailers.
Thanks for all your input guys, started school couple days ago hopefully I will get my CDL without too much issues.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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Hi, everyone. I was told by a trucking school instructor that its harder to back a 32' trailer vs a 53' since the 32' is more responsive to steering input. He told me that its easier to drive the shorter trailer around town but as far as backing, if you can easily back a 32' trailer then the 53' ones would be no problem, is this true?
I'm trying to pick a school I would like to go to but the one that I am interested in only uses the 32' trailer so I don't know if it would be an advantage or disadvantage.