Backing Plateau

Hello, question for you drivers that have been at it for a very long time or those drivers who are really “into” backing.

I’ve been class A licensed for almost 2 1/2 years and been doing LTL P&D most of that time. I sucked at backing at first, now I’m plenty competent and extremely safety minded. Despite the fact that I back all day long, I feel like my backing has hit a plateau. I see older guys in their 60’s or older just pop right into docks sight side or blindside. Sometimes I wait too long to get the tractor back in front of the trailer and I have trouble squaring to the pads on a 45 or 90 if there are no paint lines. Any advice on getting to the next level?? And do you experienced vets set up a 45 tractor trailer straight in line with each other or slightly angled?

Hoping to get and apply your wisdom.

Thanks!

A reminder, I teach this stuff. I point out to my students the main thing is to get the tandems in a line with the target the correct path the tires will roll once they get into the "slot". (Mindful of the angle of the trailer to the "slot" you are heading for - more parallel to the target slot, less of a big angle.)

Usually you are backing to the left, where the driver can just look out he window. Rules to keep in mind:

• Turning right gets you:
  • Tighter turns toward the inside the curve
  • More of the trailer turning into/tighter in the turn
• Turning left gets you:
  • Less turning into the curve
  • Less turning and more rolling back

Just adjust your steering in and out of the turn to get the tandems into that line to go into the slot, then immediately work to get the trailer lined up.

Stay "high"/more aimed out of the curve than in, because with a simple twist of the wheel to the right, you can drop the trailer into the target zone.Going the other way (widening the turn) is nearly impossible.

I describe this as juggling a tennis ball, a bowling ball and a chainsaw. Simple as that.

Eric, I certainly understand the “plateau “ feeling in relation to backing. I’m at the same point and have been thinking the same thing.

I’m a big fan of watching YouTube videos of backing. They can be helpful, but also they can be confusing because every driver has their own technique.

So, when I have the right opportunity and location, I just do some practice backing to try out a new suggestion or just to hone my own skills. I used to carry a pair of small safety cones with me but I don’t now because I don’t have room for them. Now I just use a pair of orange gloves to mark the space I want to back into for practice.

I have seen some drivers who make backing look like child’s play. Me, I’ve come to realize that I’m not one of the “naturals”, so with over two years in, I still have to work at honing my skills. Am I embarrassed by this? Yes, sometimes, lol. But I still GOAL on a regular basis and I am determined not to hit anything. And if I can get the trailer in the right place and not hit anything, then mission accomplished as far as I’m concerned. Practice is what makes perfect.

Hello, question for you drivers that have been at it for a very long time or those drivers who are really “into” backing.

I’ve been class A licensed for almost 2 1/2 years and been doing LTL P&D most of that time. I sucked at backing at first, now I’m plenty competent and extremely safety minded. Despite the fact that I back all day long, I feel like my backing has hit a plateau. I see older guys in their 60’s or older just pop right into docks sight side or blindside. Sometimes I wait too long to get the tractor back in front of the trailer and I have trouble squaring to the pads on a 45 or 90 if there are no paint lines. Any advice on getting to the next level?? And do you experienced vets set up a 45 tractor trailer straight in line with each other or slightly angled?

Hoping to get and apply your wisdom.

Thanks!

Next time you see one of the experienced guys make it look easy strike up a conversation and ask him how he does it. As for the 45, I like my tractor to be parallel to the dock when I start.