Need help backing

Hi all, New to this board and trucking industry. Just got my cdl 3 weeks ago and got a local job hauling mail, and today was my first day on the job. Went o.k but had problems docking any advice would be helpfull

Originally Posted by slayer34

Hi all, New to this board and trucking industry. Just got my cdl 3 weeks ago and got a local job hauling mail, and today was my first day on the job. Went o.k but had problems docking any advice would be helpfull

Welcome to the forum BTW why not register and become a member here?

Here is the way I taught my students when I was a driving instructor for a school.

When you get set up to back.........If you are straight line backing grab the wheel with both hands. Take a look out each window and then pretend you are playing a video game and your steering wheel is the controller and the trailor is what you are shooting at.
Each time the trailor comes into the mirriorr you are looking at turn the wheel slightly towards that mirrior and vise versa. This will allow you to back straight up. As you close in on the dock depress the clutch and use the brake to gently bump the dock. I would always then ease the clutch out a bit to put pressure on the dock and set the brake.

As for backing from the side always try to do this from the drivers side. Setup is the biggest factor in backing. If you set the truck up wrong you will spend alot of time trying to back in. If you have to blind side back then you really need to have someone spot you when you do this. Or you can always get out and walk around several times and keep easing back.

Always before you attempt to back up you should use GOAL which stands for Get Out And Look. Make sure you are not going to hit anything. Most accidents occur while backing up.

Did you go through a driving school to get your CDL's? This is something you should have mastard in school.
Just about anyone can manage to get a truck down the highway. Backing is gonna be alot of your job, you will learn to do it with expierience. Good luck!