Backing Nerves

So I am two weeks on the road and still really nervous about backing into truck stops. The mechanics are there, as in I understand which way the trailer is going to go, however my set ups are still really bad. Thanks for letting me vent.

I am two weeks on the road and still really nervous about backing into truck stops.

Welcome to the club! Guess what? You may still have those same anxieties in two months. They may even persist for two years.

You know why we have those nervous moments don't you? That is our internal safety net telling us, "Take care and be cautious. This is a situation where you can easily mess up!" Backing into a spot at a truck stop is definitely a time to get nervous. Remember to G.O.A.L. Don't try to be a super trucker and make yourself look good to the other drivers. This is not the time to be cavalier. Backing is where most of us make our first mistakes. Being nervous is good. Panic is bad. Overconfidence is bad. Getting nervous just means you need to be extra careful and pay close attention.

Be glad you have something warning you to slow down and be extra cautious. It is the drivers who either don't have that warning system, or just ignore it, that get into big trouble. Take it slow and easy. You will learn to set up for your backs, but it will take a year or two. You are doing fine, just stay the course and find the easy spots to park in. I am actually glad to hear that you are getting nervous. That gives me hope for your future! Cautious truckers are in it for the long haul. Just keep on being careful and you will eventually get the feel down for how to set up properly.

Thanks for letting me vent.

That hardly counts as venting. It is a common experience for all new truck drivers. It takes a long time to build some confidence in going backwards and getting parked in tight situations. I will let you in on a secret. I am really good at backing into tight spots, but it still makes me nervous every time I make an attempt. I have been driving big trucks for a good while. I still go backwards with great caution.

Thanks old school. I sucked up the embarrassment and asked a passing driver to spot me when the “panic “ began to overtake me. I have been fortunate enough to keep running into kind human beings.

Oh, don't worry about that. Just don't hit anything and try not to take forever; just be safe. The horns, CB chatter, gestures, etc.? Ignore it! Nobody was born a Super Trucker, nor a Super Backer. It takes time.

Night before last at the DC, I held up five other Crete trucks and a yard dog while I struggled to get into a sort of tight spot. Oh well. I didn't hit anything and the sun rose the next morning.

Even after such a long time from 2000 I still have nerves tied up when backing in into tight spaces) GOAL is a useful thing, even I "think" I'm fine, I use get out and look. And yes, if you are not able to get in on first 3 tries, don't. Go else where..

Nobody was born a Super Trucker

I'm sorry to entertain, even though I am a Super Trucker, born, marked and baptized... I still take it easy;).. Because it is what SuperTruckers do)

Ppl forget, it is a job, not a rush to a BBQ party, main thing is to deliver a load in one package, that was put on your trailer.