Why When I Back.

I have this problem when I’m backing up I think I’m about to hit the truck or whatever is behind me. I get out and I’m 15 feet away still. What is wrong with me? 48 foot spread axle flatbed trailer. Is there a trick to this or something I’m not getting. It’s not every single time I back but about 1/2 the time I just can’t judge my distance with any accuracy.

Rubber Ducky, there is no problem stopping 15 feet away from the dock or whatever you are backing against. 15 feet is a perfect place to do a GOAL. Then you gauge your distance, get back in, pick a reference point out your drivers window and try to back up the same distance. But if you have to goal at 15 feet, 10 feet, 5 feet, all that proves is that you are a safe backer. Gauging distances accurately during backing takes experience. And experience takes time. Always better to be safe than sorry.

I have the same issue with the distances. I’d rather stop short than bump into someone else’s trailer at the truck stop, though. When I’m home driving cars and pickups, I drive fine but my parking is terrible.

I just GOALed twice not ten minutes ago on a 53 step deck for the last ten feet and meh, only ended up needing three of them.

Great golfers still use range finders. Expert contractors still use tape measures. Truckers use GOALs.

Last week I delivered to a dock that was on a slight incline. I am in an auto and I was sure I was in the dock. I go back to chock the wheels only to see the forklift operator laughing at me with the trailer about 3 feet short of the dock. Said it happens all the time. I looked closer and noticed that there was a raised section of concrete that the front wheels were pushing against. it was only about an inch higher but with the incline it was enough to feel like the dock.

I do it too. Lol

I do the same thing. Even at a truck stop when you can somewhat judge where you need to stop by looking at the trucks next to you.

Hitting something, is WAY MORE EMBARRESSING, then stopping and GOAL multiple times.

Just like "measure twice, cut once" - you can stop "too soon", a number of times - you can only stop TOO FAR ONCE.

Rick

I also have problems with judging distances, but my biggest concern is is that I seem to not be straight in the docks half the time. It's embarring to have to keep fixing my position. I was so crooked last week that I pulled up and kept making it worse!😂 It took forever to get myself straight in the dock.

I also have problems with judging distances, but my biggest concern is is that I seem to not be straight in the docks half the time. It's embarring to have to keep fixing my position. I was so crooked last week that I pulled up and kept making it worse!😂 It took forever to get myself straight in the dock.

I used to have that problem, how I usually use something as a reference point either on the ground or something on the wall next to the dock. A few times when there was nothing to use as a reference point, I made my with something either lying on the ground or something from my truck. That way I can line my wheels up to the dock door based off my reference point.