Algebra & The Offset Manuever

Remember back in 8th grade while sitting in algebra class thinking, "how could I ever use this in real life?". Some may have even been as bold as me and directed that question at the teacher. To tell the truth; I haven't used algebra since 8th grade.

Yesterday was my first day at the truck driving school for a refresher course. Straight line backing was a piece of cake. The other students in the class never backed a 53 foot trailer before so I did have a leg up on them. I think I spent more time coaching than practicing backing. Anyways, the instructor sent me forward to the next manuever- the offset.

Mind you, I took my cdl test almost 2 decades ago and I don't recall doing this manuever. The instructor rambles an explanation on how to set up and what to look for in the mirrors... he stays with me for one go and then walks away. ..

This is what I learned: set up is the key. You need to begin with the rig absolutely straight with one of the holes in order to end up with the trailer in the right place with the center hole cone. If you don't begin the manuever in the right place the recipe for success will elude you.

Well, during my practice yesterday I fudged up and ended up all discombobulated. I had a heck of a time trying to get back to the proper starting position to try it again. Remember, there's only 180 feet to straighten out a tractor with a 53 foot trailer. Curses!

The school also hosts a heavy equipment course that goes on right behind the 2 holes for the offset. There's no way to go around and pull through one of the holes to begin straight again. Arrrrrrrrr. ..

Anyways, what I'm trying to get at is this... how does the offset manuever relate to real world everyday business?

On a side note: I already have a cdl. As a refresher student I wish they would take me to some real docks to get real practice. I'm not retaking the test.

The offset is for when the shipper or receiver says to back in a door and you do and then they say opps back in the door next to you.... You will be surprised at how many times you will need to do a offset

Is this a quiz of a rhetorical* question?

Algebra: 3t - 3t = 0
Truck: Turn the wheel LEFT 3 turns, back up, turn RIGHT 3 turns, back up the same amount, presto! an offset LEFT backup!

*Rhetorical questions don't need or sometimes don't have an answer. Mom to son: "What am I ever going to do with you, Harold?"

The way the instructor told me to do it for a left hole:

Turn the wheel 1 turn right. Back it until the center cone disappears behind the trailer in the convex mirror. Spin wheel full lock left. Back until tractor and trailer is straight. The center cone should be lined up and then it's almost a straight back.

My point is if the rig isn't in the proper starting position no matter what you do it won't end up in the correct place without some improvisation.

Errol, if you begin a left offset turning the wheel left won't the trailer start moving right?

The offset is for when the shipper or receiver says to back in a door and you do and then they say opps back in the door next to you.... You will be surprised at how many times you will need to do a offset

That's what I'm looking for! Thanks!

Mr St James corrects:

Errol, if you begin a left offset turning the wheel left won't the trailer start moving right?

You are correct, sir. Well, you want the nose of the tractor going left, so the steering goes to the right as you back up.

Now noobies on the range will get confused anyway, about the left and the right. There was a camel driving school noted in the Old Testament:

Jonah 4:11 NASB

Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?"

BTW the equation I used works for the angle dock. In an offset, the steering goes all the way to the other side, so it's

3t - 6t + 3t = 0

(Can't help it. I taught 8th grade math.)

After some thought, the equation made sense to me. Sometimes I'm a little slow on the uptake, but when it clicks it sticks!

I have been having a blast at the refresher class. I have a relaxed and knowledgeable yard instructor now that explains everything clearly. Yesterday was Lionel Ritchie Sings Real Loud day. I picked up the parallel parking manuever pretty quick. The instructor gave me a couple pointers to tweak it and the trailer darn near goes in the box by itself.

Today is the day I waited for all week: 90 degree alley dock. Whoot!

I'll be honest about one thing. Knowing that I won't be tested on any of the manuevers took alot of stress off me. It's all fun & games!

It breaks my heart that you dont think you have used alvebra since the 8th grade. as soon as they showed us the offset manuever i immediatley thought geometry. as an engineering major with math being the hugest art of it. your doing a 12 foot offset. you ut the truck at a 45 degree angle twice with the ca 40 in a cascadia with a cascadia in a coule days i can do,the math and what not then if i can ever get a hod of,a coule,different,trucks i can take fotos and show you how to do,the math actually give a,a couke days and if,i have time ill get the wheel base for all,the trucks and write,out the formua,and show you where to,lug in what for secific foot offsets lol. bjt a cascadia at 4 with a 53 foot trailer the trailer doe,st matter a whole,lot its the wheel,base bjt you have to,cinsider the length of the trailer and be sure you wil not encroach on your neighbor... its a 12 foot offset with 2 45s and it rolls its all math. when you figure your gas mileage its algebra when you che k your bank statement to see if you ha e enough money to,go,to,walmart its algebra when you set your alarm clock its algebra when u say i only need one,cu so i make half a ot of coffee its algebra when you decide to floor it or slam on the brakes at a orange red light its algebra

It breaks my heart that you dont think you have used alvebra since the 8th grade. as soon as they showed us the offset manuever i immediatley thought geometry. as an engineering major with math being the hugest art of it. your doing a 12 foot offset. you ut the truck at a 45 degree angle twice with the ca 40 in a cascadia with a cascadia in a coule days i can do,the math and what not then if i can ever get a hod of,a coule,different,trucks i can take fotos and show you how to do,the math actually give a,a couke days and if,i have time ill get the wheel base for all,the trucks and write,out the formua,and show you where to,lug in what for secific foot offsets lol. bjt a cascadia at 4 with a 53 foot trailer the trailer doe,st matter a whole,lot its the wheel,base bjt you have to,cinsider the length of the trailer and be sure you wil not encroach on your neighbor... its a 12 foot offset with 2 45s and it rolls its all math. when you figure your gas mileage its algebra when you che k your bank statement to see if you ha e enough money to,go,to,walmart its algebra when you set your alarm clock its algebra when u say i only need one,cu so i make half a ot of coffee its algebra when you decide to floor it or slam on the brakes at a orange red light its algebra

.............

I'm speechless

..............

...Remember, there's only 180 feet to straighten out a tractor with a 53 foot trailer.

Only 180 feet? What I would give to have that much room to maneuver at times. (Just kidding, I know it is a school thing).