How to back a Big Truck. backing a commercial vehicle condo cab with a 53' trailer into a parking space. The proper way to back into a truck stop parking space by www.online-safety-program.com
Great Video. Just what I needed. The problem that i had in the past is that the best instructors had no ability to communicate their thoughts effectively.
Great tips! Paying close attention the tandems position was always my "secret". In driving school, maneuvering was all about marks and pivot points. Once I was away from the training yard, all of that was gone. From then on, I had to basically relearn how to back up. Not all docks have nicely painted lines. Follow the trailer, visualize what you want to happen, be aware of your surroundings 360 degrees, watch your overhead clearance, don't be afraid to pull up and re-approach, bad setup=failed backing, GOAL, and when in doubt, get a spotter. Bottom line...just don't hit anything and life is golden. 😎👍
I'm new to the trucking industry, and I really appreciate this video. The way that you simplified the process was great, and it gave me a more clear understanding of what's going on.
Once again, I never have used a set formulae for backing, even in a predictable situation. Been doing this for 4 decades, every back-up is different, just roll down driver window all the way, even in heavy rain, (especially in heavy rain) for max visibility, never open your door, once you have gone beyond limits of hanging your head out of the window, switch to mirror view, it always works, every time, it only gets easier with practice, but not, even after 40 years, you can never, ever, let your guard down, do not hesitate one second to score a G.O.A.L., even 2 or 3 or 4 times I have done that, well worth the extra time to avoid a "swift" moment. Several times this past year I have had the pleasure of long-time truckers get out of their trucks to shake my hand and compliment me on a successful back-up in tight situations and ask me my secret to which I reply the standard trucker response--"I just close my eyes and hope for the best, or wait for the Boom".
40 years? DAMN ! I'm 42, & decided to give trucking a go. I wanted to do it 20 years ago, & regret not doing it back then. But better late than never, I pray that God will guide me every step of the way, & that I can be a good driver.
I think the problem for some folks is they don't know how to communicate what to do. This video gave me a better understanding and now have the confidence to park anywhere.
Great, been using this for the last 6 months. I will say when backing into the dock pull past 2 spaces to account for the extra room in between each dock space because many times 3 spaces is too much.
I went to a community college, and a Company run school. Neither explained set up and backing, any where near as good this. I would suggest you add a video on Truck Stop courtesy in regards to fueling, fuel pull ahead, and the use of reward cards. I have had to show new drivers how to use satellite pumps, and in one occasion, how to use a satellite pump to fuel a straight truck that only had a right side tank. God Bless you Driver. Excellent video.
Thanks alot for posting i tell you without it i would have ended up with no sleep that day lol amazing! Specially i seen driver trying to back and ripped his front bomber off i got scared lol but i watched this and backed it in from the first time
In the example above the truck made a big job out of backing up.There was a space opposite the truck nose there and reverse dead straight back the truck could maintain full view on both mirrors for reverse . You need to make it as easy where possible
Excellent video. This is what I have been doing for 43 years. And you're right, never open your door. That is old school before we had good mirrors. Use those mirrors ! What did you mean by seeing the top of your trailer? My mirrors are adjusted to the horizon. I don't give a rip about birds, airplanes or sky when I'm driving. I only need to see up when backing down narrow lanes etc. In these situations I just tilt my head a bit to see up. Didn't hurt a bit. Nice trailer roof !
Great advice. However, I have one concern... shouldn't you hold close to the line of your drivers door and NOT center of both lines? I have always known it to be holding the line towards your drivers door. This allows people more room when backing and is safer because they won't rip your mirror off or even worst... front fender.
I'll have to try this set up. It just seems like there would be too much "bend" between the truck and trailer and trying to get tandems lined up in the spot and a whole lot of pull ups. I was taught to either go to the middle of the spot I want or go to the line right before I got to the spot before I swung out. And then start backing. I just got accustomed to doing whatever I have to do to back in safely.
I'm having trouble with following the trailer. It's my 5th hour driving truck only but it feels frustrating. I did it perfectly first 2 times then I blew it.
blitz king , true the old drivers or "veteran " know everything but don't take the time to explain the new generation how to back up , but take the time to criticize who's doing it........i been driving for 19 years and this is the best example of backing I ever seen so far
my dad has friends that have been driving 30+yrs and they open the door I've been driving 10yrs and I open my door so yeah do what ever makes it happen safely don't listen to just the mirrors talk if your not comfortable doing it dont!
If you have your mirrors adjusted to max you will never need to open your door. That is old school (1955ish) when mirrors were small and there were no safety convex mirrors. These days you can back anywhere with just mirrors. Don't look like a dork with your door open. Fall out or rip your door off and your boss will not be happy.
Thank you for making this excellent instruction video. Hopefully I will get to that level where I will be able to back with such skill. Right now I'm taking my class 1 training. Can someone give me advice on how to back up very slowly and smoothly. When coupling a trailer I find when I start backing during coupling my start is too sudden and fast. And I have trouble stopping in time to have the 5th wheel just touch the trailer. How can I do it with a slow smooth start. (Am I on the foot brake too hard? Should I not be on it at all?)I need to do it right for my upcoming road test. Also advice and tips about centering the jaws and kingpin....I'm far from centered. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm learning on an older 18 speed manual "International" with 53 foot trailer.
To line up your trailer to couple, make sure you are idling back straight, (no throttle!) and watch both mirrors. When the trailer is even on both mirrors you are perfect. Touch the 5th wheel (and clutch if not sure) and just back right under. Clutch just before lock up. You will just feather the clutch to lock up. When you touch the 5th wheel your instructor may want you to hook up your air lines, but I never bother until lock up. Good luck !
omar colchado Colchado... yes me too and I move forward enough to see my trailer tandem on my mirror them turn the wheel all the way and forward again till i see them at the mirror again there set-up should be done.......i hope this help someone out there
Or then just drive the truck so far that you can see where you are going to back it up and then start to aim at the spot while reversing and if you do it wrong take the truck a bit forward and aim again. Its so useless to get as close to the spot as possible and then expect it to go there with the first try
never GOAL ???... this is the first time to ear something like that !! Can you show same parking, you driving ? !! with a 53" trailer and not with a toy !!
Because they're a clown company that doesn't care about drivers and doesn't even teach proper backing techniques because they allow people with 6 months experience to train.
+NOLAKID16 no. alley dock backing has no swing-out while in forward motion. not to mention that the truck was on the left(driver's) side of the travel area. alley dock would require a more centered approach.
Yeah ... do that as fast as you can because you need to go to the toilet. Then, on the way to the toilet, you see how easy and fast, the small cars parking are designed ... one slow, pull of the wheel and you are parked, face front under a tree, in an angle.
I have witnessed, on more than 1 occasion, drivers who back up by putting the tractor in reverse, open their door, and stand all the way outside their tractor on the running boards facing the rear, steering with their left hand. I don't know WHO teaches this technique, but, it is about as dangerous a move as I can imagine, worse than opening the door to look out. I immediately warn dock managers of drivers making this kind of dangerous move. Get power mirrors, they help a TON if you are not yet comfortable backing.
+Mike Mascow I've seen this too, but I think those ppl who do this move truly know what they're doing. They must have lots of experience, otherwise, i'm sure, they wouldn't do it. So, maybe you shouldn't jump into conclusions, unless you've seen someone mess up doing so.
whaat?? dont open the window or door to double checkk when backing up?? im still a new driver and need to learn this but aint no wayy im relyin on just mirrors i thought its G.O.A.L. lol come on guy
ryan meana You need to open your window because your trailer will be at such an angle at times that you can't see in your mirror but never open your door or lift your butt off the seat.
ryan meana Hes also saying that if done correctly you will be so close to the line on your sight side that you will have plenty of room on your blind side. The point of GOAL is to see what's on your blind side, no point if you know its clean and have plenty of room.
3 spaces; 1 was told 1 and end up still pulling forward and out of my initial angle. Well meaning drivers will stop to guide me, appreciated but uneccesary usually..."little lady can't back that big rig" (LOL). So this will definitely help. Also the pivot once my rear tandems hit the white line.
