Help! I’m The Worst In My Class At The Reverse Lane Change!

I’m doing alright now. I moved on to parallel parking, which I found drivers side to be much easier, and 90 degree alley dock. I did alright, took coaching pretty well and was able to get it in with no pull ups and no cones hit. Then I hurt my left knee somehow and was in so much pain I had some rough attempts, a few successful, but I had to just sit down for the last hour. I’m very worried about keeping healthy for this last week. I can’t miss any time maneuvering and I still have a few hours of required road driving. I’m having trouble staying centered in my lane. The time we took the auto Volvo for familiarization, I had no issues, steering is very precise and it felt like a car. But I’m on the manual course, so now I’m driving the 10 speed freightliner and the steering has a good amount of slop. I’m constantly rowing back and forth. Nothing like a car, or my Toyota pickup! I NEED to get this, I’m GOING to get this! My wife thinks I’m trying to say I don’t like it, but that’s not true at all. I really like it and I want the trucks to like me back!

Congrats on the backing progress. The more you do it the better you’ll do. Just keep your eyes on your tandems , your reference points & then your trailer to make sure it doesn’t hit anything. Slow & steady.

As far as lane control is concerned? It could be a few things. I just went out in my truck for the first time & it was squirrelly as all get out. Constant correction from side to side. When I got back to Sprimo, I asked the alignment guy about & was sent to the tire techs who balanced & rotated the tires.

We’ll see in a few, when I head out, that did the trick. What’s crazy is that this is the newest truck I’ve driven, an ‘18 Freightshaker with 93K. Oh well. Continued success going forward. Try to be more patient with yourself. Each vehicle will behave & respond differently. It’s not about the truck “liking” you, it’s about just breathing, planning & executing. Some days will be over the top good, others will be a struggle. Doesn’t make you any more or any less a human trying to learn a new skill set! You got this!!

Thanks Splitter!

Brett wrote a humorous blog article on backing:

Learning to Back a Truck; Like Clown Soup for the Soul

Thanks G-TOWN, that pretty much describes my progress. 😂

As far as staying centered in the lane while driving, look for that darker line down the center of the lane. Keep that under the big toe of your right foot or under your right butt cheek. That will help.

Another thing to keep in mind. The wind plays games with us too. It may not appear windy on the outside but you’ll get tossed around without any visible sign of wind from the landscape.

Thanks again, and I'll try that, Big Scott!

I found this video really helpful when I was in school. Don't give up, we've all been there.

Just an update. I got the offset pretty good and moved on to alley dock. It may take me five pull ups, but I’m getting it every time, lol!