Question:
Do NOT be shy or afraid to post your questions here.
Yeah, most likely they've been answered before, but who's got 379 days to peruse the Archives?
Ask away! Yeah, you'll get some smartazzed answers, but ya gotta overlook them!
Look for genuine replies.
*** NOTE*** There is only one (1) stupid question.......and that is "one you've never asked."
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)

Answer:
Originally posted by Hoss:
*** NOTE*** There is only one (1) stupid question.......and that is "one you've never asked."
Thats right Hoss.
BUMP!
Randy Travis - What was that?
Patrick Swayze - A Mazda.
From the movie Black Dog
Answer:
Is trucking just a job or more of a lifestyle? Why and how? Thats it.

Answer:
Originally posted by StagnantVirus:
Is trucking just a job or more of a lifestyle? Why and how? Thats it.
To me it is a prefession not a job. A job is something you just do. Prefessional Driving is something I take great care in doing. To act professional and be professional in the eye of the public. But it's also a lifestyle. I prefer to me by myself most of the time. I have a hard enough time caring for myself that I cant see me haveing a family to care for too. Having my home with me suits me just fine. I am a dweller.
BUMP!
Randy Travis - What was that?
Patrick Swayze - A Mazda.
From the movie Black Dog
Answer:
Okay, here goes.........after having driven one ton and 32ft trailer, I am "used to" turning and correcting a certain way. On my second day in the tractor & 53ft trailer, I'm great on straight backing, pretty decent on the 45 degree thing, but my 90 degree...forget it! I either under shoot or over shoot!!! I get out and look & still miss! Any suggestions? After several attempts, I usually take a break to "chill" as this flusters the heck out of me! Trainer says "this is only your second day, you're doing fine" but somehow it doesn't help.
Thank you and God Bless,
The old gray mare

Answer:
Well, the longer the trailer the slower the response time. It takes longer to get it into the position you want, but then it also takes longer to correct it if you get off course. Go slow, don't pin the wheel on every steering correction, and get out and look. You kind of have to "think ahead" a little bit. When there is plenty of space, backing a 53' is much easier than backing a 28' or in your case a 32'. Don't get too bent out of shape about it. Backing those long trailers isn't difficult, it just takes practice. Once you understand what the trailer is doing and when it's going to do it, you'll be fine.

Answer:
95% of backing up is getting the tractor and trailer set up in the proper position before backing. Only experience will teach this to you. Listen to the trainer. The only way to learn backing is to back.
Like the others said, get out and look often. When you get flustered, stop and take a breather. We have all been where you are and often I get there now. Many of us "old-timers" have more miles in reverse than some newbies have going forward. It just takes time and practice.
Now-a-days when I get all screwed up, it's a slot that is easy and I get over-confident.
Daytripper
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." pogo

Answer:
I accidentally hit "new topic" instead of reply. Please forgive. Just wanted to say thank you for any helpful advice. I just get so flustered I never truly realized or understood the difference with these things. We have a straight truck (old old logging truck) that we now use for hauling hay, equipment etc. (oh yeah, you guys that pull flat beds....you got all my respect! fooling with chains, come-a-longs and tarps! ) Hoss, Westline, Thunderbolt and Maxmiddle...you're dolls! I appreciate any help! Maxmiddle, more in reverse that forwards? LOL LOL LOL Would you want to be my team partner!?
Thank you and God Bless,
The old gray mare

Answer:
{{ When there is plenty of space, backing a 53' is much easier than backing a 28' or in your case a 32'.))
Man you got that right. I just started hauling a 32 footer, and it sure is harder to back that thing.

Answer:
Something else to try. A couple of local farmer's wives wanted to get their CDL so they could drive the grain trailer trucks.
There is a property near here that used to be the K-Mart. The building is rented by another business that hardly uses the large parking lot. We practiced backing up in that big old lot (with nothing to hit or be afraid of). Then the gals went by themselves a few times. They passed with flying colors and handle their trucks like champs.
Hey, I'll team with ya anytime!! Hang in there and good trucking.
Daytripper
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." pogo

Answer:
Acouple things to keep in mind (If you don't mind)
When backing and manuvering. . .Drive the rear of the trailer first, then drive the front of the trailer, then when you ar3e happy with where they are going, manuver your tractor. . .the whole time, never loose track of any of them. Always be aware of your space.
th3e second thing. Anticipation. The trailer tandems will roll 12-15 feet before they respond to your input. When backing into that 90* spot, you are approaching at an angle, 12-15' before your trl. tndms reach where you want them to turn in, start turning. That is for forward and reverse. You must use the same anticipation in getting it straightened back out too, or you will blow right through tour space and over-cook it. Starting that manuver, and most other backing manuvers, start with a small arc and go into it gradually, the harder you try to cut it in the bigger the rodeo manuver you have to use to undo it. Small changes, relax, take your time and keep the wheel moving. If you're not steering. . .you're riding, not driving. Even very small changes gives you a "Feel" for what is going on. After "riding for 10 or 15 feet and doing nothing else. . .your instinctive move(which you don't have yet) will probably be wrong. Go slow, keep the flow. . . and cut the stress B.S., it'll come to you, it takes practice x days, not minutes. Have fun! D.
H.O. Wolding bound or bust.
Dodge Makes It, Cummins' Shakes It!
www.TurboDieselRegister.com
If you ain't Cummin'. . . your Strokin'


Answer:
Get the setup wrong, it will be difficult.
Get your setup right, it will be easy and that trailer will practically put itself in the hole. You'll just need to follow it around with the tractor.
I suggest newbies get themselves a toy tractor/trailer with working steering on the tractor... then play with it simulating backup situations. You will be surprised what you learn by playing with a smaller scale version... same principles apply with the real deal.

Answer:
You can get a tractor trailer with remote control at Pilot truck stops. Stand behind it while backing and you will get a feel for what needs to be done.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane.
Waylon Jennings