Offset Backing Is Killing Me

So today I was out on my school's driving range trying to do the offset back. I had done it once last week with an instructor hanging on the door the entire time. Then tried a couple of times today and I just wasn't getting it. I got so frustrated with myself that I started crying. And then I got mad at myself for crying, so of course that made me cry more. (It doesn't help that It was like 95 outside and the sun was blazing.) I was wearing sunglasses so I'm hoping my instructor and partner just thought I was sweating since it was so hot. I was so exasperated that I just had to get out of the truck and let my partner take a turn. Another instructor came over to help me later and I did a couple with his help. But the thing is, I still can't do one without someone right there telling me what to do. I'm just so frustrated that I can't get this. Everyone else in my class seemed to pick it up so easily. This back just has my brain in knots. I get confused and turned around. By the time I'm in the middle of it, I can't even tell you where I'm trying to go or where I am! The thing is, when the instructor is telling me when & where to turn, I don't understand *why* I need to do that. I don't get the overall picture. I've been trying to watch my partner do it, and at the same time trying to think, "ok, he's turning this way now until he gets here.." etc. And I even bought a toy truck to see if that would help, and it's just not. On other skills, like the double clutching or the straight backing, I'm still very rusty, but I understand *why* I'm doing what I'm doing during the maneuver. On those, I can feel that I will get better with practice. Not with the offset though! I'll tell ya, these guys in my class are some rough, country dudes and I cannot let them see me cry! I'm the only girl out of 16 and because of that, they really pay attention to everything I do. I was seriously so upset today that I almost just left school and went back to my motel room. Please someone lie to me and tell me that you were this confused and that you are now and awesome offset-backer. :)

I have been there myself. It takes a long time to learn backing. I failed the driving test the first time because I couldn't do the 90 degree backing. Try this, when you are backing, back a couple feet, get out and look how your trailer is moving. Keep making small corrections and get out to look every few feet. Once you learn to direct the trailer where you want it to go, you will have a easer time. Even the best drivers suck at backing most of the time, at least that is what I see at the truckstops.

One more thing, never give up, and never worry what anyone else thinks when you are getting out and looking all the time. The other students where laughing at me because i was not backing good, untill I told them that they could help me or get out my way when I learned it. After that, I got a lot of help.

I was like you in a way when I was in school. Everyone else seemed to pick it up so easily but it took me multiple tries. Several things helped me. It's important to be set up correctly before you begin. Make sure you're nice n straight in front of your setup lane. Before I started to back, I would turn my steering wheel a turn and a half opposite the direction I want my trailer to go. So a blindside offset, I would turn to the left a full turn and a half and hold it there. Slowly backing toward your target lane, hold the wheel in place the whole time. I would watch my landing gear. Once I can see the middle of my gear, turn the opposite direction until you can see your trailer in the mirror in which you're going for ( blindside/driver side). If you've done everything correctly, you should be able to get under your trailer with minor adjustments.

Key thing to remember here is to use finesse when finishing your excersie. I made the mistake of turning wildly trying to get straightened out and only made it worse. It's not a competition, don't compare your progress to others. It will drive you crazy. I know I typed a wall of text but hope you can get something out of it. Good luck out there.

First, try to chill, when you are in school is THE time to make mistakes/errors. Just try to learn from each mistake/error, i.e. try not to just keep doing the same/wrong thing over and over again. And, keep in mind/keep telling yourself... YOU CAN DO THIS!

As to backing help/pointers... it's really hard to provide specifics but... maybe the following will help a little re your offset maneuvers:

OFFSET - When in school... I always started with my tractor and trailer straight... and my steers straight. Before I started backing, I would turn my steering wheel 1 and 1/4 turn, in the direction appropriate for the offset I was performing. As soon as I started backing, I would count 1-one-thousand, 2-one-thousand... up to 6-one-thousand (i.e. I would back 5-6 seconds). Then, very quickly, I would "catch-up" with my trailer (i.e. I would keep backing while I got my tractor and trailer lined up straight again). At this point, I would always GOAL. Also, at this point, it was pretty much just a "feel thing," re pushing the trailer into the hole. If/when I needed, I would use GOALs and "pull-ups" to get my trailer into the hole.

Remember turn your wheel away from the lane you are going to back into. Put a pen in your pocket. If you are backing into the left lane put the pen in your left pocket. That way you will know which lane you started in. After finding the V and getting straight, if you can't find the cone, pull-up until you see it. Then straight back. If you can practice on the skid plate. The slight up hill will help. Good luck you can do this!

Https://youtu.be/EqhfytkminA

This video helped me tons whilet in school. Just reverse the steps for the other side.

All trucks are different, so you may have to tweak it a bit

Https://youtu.be/EqhfytkminA

This video helped me tons whilet in school. Just reverse the steps for the other side.

All trucks are different, so you may have to tweak it a bit

It doesn't look like the link works properly. Check out "Chicken Mooney" on Youtube.

Https://youtu.be/EqhfytkminA

This video helped me tons whilet in school. Just reverse the steps for the other side.

All trucks are different, so you may have to tweak it a bit

It doesn't look like the link works properly. Check out "Chicken Mooney" on Youtube.

Damn phone !!! "Chick Mooney" not Chicken

Daniel C wrote:

Even the best drivers suck at backing most of the time, at least that is what I see at the truckstops.

Is that so...too funny. Maybe you're hanging out in the wrong truck stops or more than likely you are watching the wrong drivers. The "best drivers" don't give you much of a show cause if you blink, it's over and they are already locking their truck. Trust me...you haven't seen one yet.