Question:
Watched a fellow with one of the "training companies" try to back into a spot the other day.
Simple set-up, front row, straight shot, straight back.
Instead, he pulled across at right angle, jacknifed back, then began making wild side to side swings with the tractor in an attempt to get straight with the space. Finally, he gave up and left to try to find an "easier" spot.
His errors?
If he had swung to the right, instead of pulling across, he would have been almost straight with the spot he was trying for.
Second boo-boo. The wild side to side swings of the tractor.
Now, I don't know if this is what they teach in schools or what, but you don't need to move that tractor very far to make the trailer take quite a walk.
You've got, on the average, 42 or 43 feet from the kingpin to the back axle. Moving that kingpin 2 or 3 inches to the side can translate into 4 to 5 feet of movement at the rear of the trailer.
When backing up;
1. Get as straight as possible with the place you are backing into.
2. Make minor corrections to the wheel. Those wide side to side swings will just throw you farther and farther off. You get frustrated and that results in more and more mistakes.
Lining up as much as possible, small corrections, patience, AND GETTING OUT TO LOOK IF YOU HAVE THE SLIGHTEST DOUBT, will get you into a space with the least hassle, and more importantly, NO DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE OR ANY OTHER OBJECT! Such as the truck next to you.

Answer:
...what he said.
And back-up SLOWLY. "Walk it" in a low gear, and hit the clutch to pause once in a while after you've turned the wheel, so you have time to see what's happened before it goes too far and you have to over correct.
Learning how to back in a straight line is an ESSENTIAL part of any training. It really teaches you about how slight corrections magnify into BIG changes in direction -- as WC explained. I don't know why more instructors and trainers don't start with straight backing first, since THAT'S the way to learn how to fine-tune your sterring adjustments and get the trailer where you want. Oh well...practice usually makes perfect (or something close enough). But it sure takes longer if you haven't learned the basics.
good stuff WC

Answer:
Thats some good advice. When I was a newbie I did the same thing backing with the side-to-side thing. It basically came down to not having the truck in the right position to begin the back, or that I was trying to back to fast, causing the oversteer.I use to have a thing with my nerves, if I knew someone was watching me back. The sweat would just pour off of me. I wouldn't get out of the truck to check things out because I thought it wasn't cool thing to do. Well things change with time, I take my time and get out and look as many times as it takes to get into a hole.
PS If your having someone helping you back into a place, its still a good ideal to get out and look for yourselve. Because if you hit something, its your fault, not the person helping you.

Answer:
When you see someone backing-up too fast, you come to understand this is probably someone who's new and very insecure about their skill. They try TOO HARD. You're right. Take your time. The fewer the corrections and pull-ups, the sooner you'll get out of the way. It's the mark of a good professional craftsman.
Measure twice -- cut once.

Answer:
Very true and good post!!! Patience is what's needed in just about all driving situations,especially while backing.Take your time and you'll be a whole lot better off.

Answer:
"Power Steering" has ruined the "art" of backing.
Drivers used to put more thought into it.
What say you Wuzzy?
Mike
Answer:
Rabelam
You're very right!
Armstrong steering stopped many a mistake!

Answer:
Remember drivers
Nobody is impressed if you can back a truck fast!
It's if you can do it safely!
(Or, actually do it!)
*******************
Indiana RoadRunner
A legend in his own mind!
To soon old.
To late smart.

Answer:
"... It's if you can do it safely! (Or, actually do it!) ..."
Yeeeeeeuuup.

Answer:
Watch the tandems, not the back of the trailer.
Plus, not getting out to look is idiocy--normally, when you get out to open the doors, you can scope things out. In a truck stop--most drivers already parked will breathe a sigh of relief--not give you trouble--if you get out and look.
May you be well and happy!

Answer:
"... Watch the tandems ..."
Forget bout the tractor. Think about the drives, as the trailer's front steer axels. that's what they are. The truck's steer axels are just a device to turn the trailer's steer axels.
Same thing when you're rolling forward -- you're using the tractor to turn the trailer's steer axels. But when you back up, you get to look back and watch them more -- the trailer's steer axels.
Your front wheels are just devices to aim the trailer's steer axels (drives) which do all the trailer's steering.
[This message was edited by Shuffler on March 02, 2003 at 15:14.]

Answer:
put a 25' jeep hooked to your tractor with a 65' expandable trailer hooked to that and a 105' long concrete pile on that and all your backing is opposite to the way you normally do it. After a while you get used to it then you go back to regular trailers and goof up.
Such is the life of a trucker in Hawaai.

Answer:
Originally posted by ErikMoore:
Watch the tandems, not the back of the trailer.
Sure, watch the tandems. Then listen for the CRUNCH as the back of the 53' trailer hits something. (Remember tailswing??)


Answer:
Originally posted by Part Time Dweller:
Originally posted by ErikMoore:
Watch the tandems, not the back of the trailer.
Sure, watch the tandems. Then listen for the _ CRUNCH _ as the back of the 53' trailer hits something. (Remember tailswing??)
It is only good if your axles are at the BACK of the trailer. Then there is not much tailswing
If you have sliders, and they are forward..... watch out.....crunch....
Ya, I know all about that "Armstrong steering". It will definitely keep you from swinging truck back and forth too much
1959 B Model Mack

Answer:
" Get as straight as possible with the place you are backing into." Best advice there is right there.
Now someone tell me why?. If I get a real easy hole with lots of room it seems to take forever. No room, tight spot in between two new large cars and right in I go. Just kidding but some times it seems to work that way.
Good Stuff
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"