I'm new to tractor trailer driving and backing (have been driving class a sized phone utility trucks and trailers for 15 years) and I'm trying to understand the right setup and moves. this really helps a lot.
this is the best video I have seen, for teaching how to set up the right angle, I wish I see another video for backing up to the dock in this situation. last night I hit the mirror of the tractor nest to me, fortunately it wasnt a big damage, the guy was very nice and gave up. thaks
It took my 45 mins to do this manuever last time because of my bad set up I'm going to practice your setup technique thank you very much for this video!
Its been 10 years since I bumped a dock, but going OTR refer this summer and was trying to remember where I started my setup. In the back of my mind I thought it was 3 over, so thanks. Likely they will audition me before turning me loose with a shiny new truck. Moved hay last few summers, no docks or parking lots. Thanks for your diagram. Best way to illustrate that maneuver.
Thank you very much for making a video helping me to get a better understanding of the most difficult to master task for me as a driver.I've had my license since 2010 and I have yet to secure and keep a job due to my lack of proficiency in this skill.I will be taking another road test for a job soon and I am seeking out all of the help and advice I can find.Once again thanks and keep them comming(videos).Wish me luck!
I have always driven doubles out of school and just recently I got a position as a yard hosteler backing trailers. I'm frustrated and still trying to figure out certain backing angles, but this was helpful thank you.
thank you very much for this information John it was very helpful. Can you also do a video on how to line up for the kingpin and pick up a trailer. thank you.
thanks for the help i am in driving school and i already have my permit and 3 endorsements hazmat,tanker and doubles and triples but the alley dock is scary because if you hit the cones or use more then 4 pull ups you fail,but i have only been in school 4 days
blindside angles are the same, it is your perspective that is changed...I like convex mirrors on my blindside to help me keep the trailer in site...fender mounted convex mirrors are very helpful but never rely on them alone
That's actually wrong, every truck will be different. The pivot point is your king pin On the 5th wheel. So everything you said is correct but where you start your right hard turn. You should start when your drives are centered in the hole you want to back into or were the king pin centers in your spot you want to back into. Then go from there. A lot of drivers go wrong on this making what should seem easy back as a multiple correction doing it the way you explained. Using the king pin method brings all single axle, duel axle day cabs and roads trucks on the same playing field. Give it a try.
nice. I usually setup all random , I'll drive by an open spot and too lazy to hit reverse and come up close on the left and setup proper, half the time I'm 90 degreeing between trucks, works fine
You are backing up what looks like a 53 foot trailer, does the same technique apply if you are backing up a 26 foot trailer? Would I still go to the 2 open slot and then back up or go to the first open slot from the diagram on you picture. Thank you.
I just get my window to the middle of trailer 2. also my mirror is almost touching the trailers on the driverside before i cut it right and then left. When I do it I almost do a 90 but the trailer is pointing toward the hole. I may have to put a video up on here on how I do it
@ 1:09 , I drive for a smaller (compared to companies like Swift, C.R. England, Schneider, etc.), and haven't been driving all that long, but, I was setting up to dock one day, and I started too close, about 1 ft, when I swung out, the tail of my trailer ended up scraping another truck's grille, luckily the damage was very, very minimal and not too big of a deal, but I would say 2-3 ft is safe and close enough... Just sayin >_>
same principles as a car with trailer but on a much bigger scale, if your mirrors will fit then so will your load unless your oversize then it all gets complicated. my life long dream is to become king of the road but here in the good old UK it is now so hard and very expensive to pass all the driver training tests with the theory practical hazard perception driver CPC not to mention the tachograph training after all this there would still be no work for a newbie with little experience. at 44 years old my dreams are fading with age and I must face defeated soooo gutted I love the big rigs.
MrGlendragon don't give up because your age, I'm 52 and I'm on my 2nd week at the wheel 4 more to go before I'm done training. I'm sure someone will hire us even to move trailers on the yard before OTR , hahaha.
So you're backing in at about a 45 degree angle. At what point should you start steering back to the right? In other words, start making the turn that's going to get you from a 45 degree angle to straight in? When your rear tandems get even with the entrance to the hole? Just before?
+Marsbonfire You don't steer to the right otherwise you will close the angle and be in a jackknife. You want to cut all the way to the left until it straightens out.
my trainer is a young guy and is having some difficulty explaining and gets super frustrated when I make mistakes; he told me to turn when my drive tires are like mid way in the space I want; however you video suggests something a little different.....could you reply to my comment and tell me what you think? thanks for the vid
one thing...........towards the end of the set up, u have to be careful not to make your tractor go too close to the wall or object so that u cannot maneuver the tractor without hitting the wall...............do i make sense?
you should not get too close to the opposing obstacle ( the wall in the drawing ). you need room to maneuver your tractor...nice explanation of the basic technique though
Do you drive car? and how long it took you to become a normal driver to drive a sedan car. It is the same with big trucks, the more you drive the more you will get better and just remember it is all the same except it is bigger. So good luck.
Everyone is nervous about docking when they first start school, but the truth is nobody is born with the ablity to do it and anyone can learn if they practice and pay attention. I passed the dmv test, but I left the industry for a year or so, came back and had to start at square one. It's the type of thing where if you practice you'll become a pro. But if you don't, you'll probably lose the ability. Trucking isn't rocket science. Pay attention, practice common sense and safety and youll be fine
Tractor too close to wall, from parking spot (1,2,####) if make around 145 degree angle than can do much better and will get enough space for tractor too to make corrections for trailer.
question john : what have you done with the REAL - JOHN G. ???? the one from morton east,,,the guy i spent most of grade school, and all of high school with... do this for me - look at web site ' sawanow.com' , and in the 'art gallery' there is a 'contact me' -page,, take a minute and drop me a line..i've missed you man,,,VIA
WELL DONE JOHNE EXPLAINED IN PLAIN IN ENGLISH AND EASY TO UNDERSTAND NEW DRIVERS NEED MENTORS LIKE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm new to tractor trailer driving and backing (have been driving class a sized phone utility trucks and trailers for 15 years) and I'm trying to understand the right setup and moves. this really helps a lot.
Thanks a lot, for a very well explained tutorial, simple but good, the diagram did help me memorise he whole set up in my mind.
this is the best video I have seen, for teaching how to set up the right angle, I wish I see another video for backing up to the dock in this situation.
last night I hit the mirror of the tractor nest to me, fortunately it wasnt a big damage, the guy was very nice and gave up.
thaks
John great training, been driving for 20 years,always had problems with backing, good job
Raymond, Memphis TN
It took my 45 mins to do this manuever last time because of my bad set up I'm going to practice your setup technique thank you very much for this video!
konami hageri it took 30 min plus I had a line of trucks behind me and I would stop and drive around and try to resetup
Well done - I help new school bus drivers with basic skills, and this is just the kind of thing that helps them envision what they need to do.
Its been 10 years since I bumped a dock, but going OTR refer this summer and was trying to remember where I started my setup. In the back of my mind I thought it was 3 over, so thanks. Likely they will audition me before turning me loose with a shiny new truck. Moved hay last few summers, no docks or parking lots.
Thanks for your diagram. Best way to illustrate that maneuver.
This is much better than 90% of the other videos on the subject. (your diagram helps!)
Thank you very much for making a video helping me to get a better understanding of the most difficult to master task for me as a driver.I've had my license since 2010 and I have yet to secure and keep a job due to my lack of proficiency in this skill.I will be taking another road test for a job soon and I am seeking out all of the help and advice I can find.Once again thanks and keep them comming(videos).Wish me luck!
good advice even for me we use opposite lock in uk but plain advice pure and simple nice one
i've struggled with this for a loooong time until your video. Thank you!
Thank you very much! The first time someone explain to me how to do it.
This video helped me understand the dynamics, thanks👍🏾😁🚛
nice help i was having problem with alley parking its a big help keep it up with ur knowledge thanx
Great Job on explaining the process
I showed my trainer today it worked great!! Thanks for helping out all us new guys!
short and to the point thanks
Diagram are the most helpful to me thanks so much!!
I was wondering how it was done and this is the perfect explanation.
I have always driven doubles out of school and just recently I got a position as a yard hosteler backing trailers. I'm frustrated and still trying to figure out certain backing angles, but this was helpful thank you.
Now this is how you give instruction - THANKS!
you are
the first of many explained it correctly people to understand
Great info. 😊 thanks
Thanks buddy! Very helpful!
that makes more sense than most videos thanks for sharing and your time SW driver
Great job...good diagram...quick and simple...
Thank you . For you time special for the ones star the driver. This job like me thanks again
“Hey, it’s me.”
Thanks for your help very informative
Thx a lot that really helped me out.
great explanation,Thank you.
Well explained. Thank you
Thanks very helpful for us newbies
Good thanks for your help,good tip even if your steering wheel is on the wrong side .
thank you very much for this information John it was very helpful.
Can you also do a video on how to line up for the kingpin and pick up a trailer. thank you.
Good info to know for someone who is learning to become a truck driver.
Xzavier Espinoza pm
thanks
thanks for the help i am in driving school and i already have my permit and 3 endorsements hazmat,tanker and doubles and triples but the alley dock is scary because if you hit the cones or use more then 4 pull ups you fail,but i have only been in school 4 days
thanks that was really helpful
Great explanation!..
blindside angles are the same, it is your perspective that is changed...I like convex mirrors on my blindside to help me keep the trailer in site...fender mounted convex mirrors are very helpful but never rely on them alone
Nice job body keep up the good work
I appreciate, nice video
You are owesome!!
very usefull, thank you for the video :)
its very help full man tnx tomoro iwill try
That's actually wrong, every truck will be different. The pivot point is your king pin On the 5th wheel. So everything you said is correct but where you start your right hard turn. You should start when your drives are centered in the hole you want to back into or were the king pin centers in your spot you want to back into. Then go from there. A lot of drivers go wrong on this making what should seem easy back as a multiple correction doing it the way you explained. Using the king pin method brings all single axle, duel axle day cabs and roads trucks on the same playing field. Give it a try.
Thanks buddy
Simple and perfect
nice. I usually setup all random , I'll drive by an open spot and too lazy to hit reverse and come up close on the left and setup proper, half the time I'm 90 degreeing between trucks, works fine
great presentation but we were taught the alley dock was a 90 for tight places get it ALLEY
I just watched ur vid and I realized thats my truck bro
Great Job on explaining the process
but what if bobtail is in the way at a truck stop or shipper etc.
Great diagram.
You are backing up what looks like a 53 foot trailer, does the same technique apply if you are backing up a 26 foot trailer? Would I still go to the 2 open slot and then back up or go to the first open slot from the diagram on you picture.
Thank you.
Can you explain how to set up when you take your skills test at DMV with the cones?
Trainning at school for the test is different
SAME CONCEPT I USE, EXCEPT I COUNT 3 SLOTS WITH 53'S AND 2 WITH 40'S
Nice
Thank you very helpful
I just get my window to the middle of trailer 2. also my mirror is almost touching the trailers on the driverside before i cut it right and then left. When I do it I almost do a 90 but the trailer is pointing toward the hole. I may have to put a video up on here on how I do it
@ 1:09 , I drive for a smaller (compared to companies like Swift, C.R. England, Schneider, etc.), and haven't been driving all that long, but, I was setting up to dock one day, and I started too close, about 1 ft, when I swung out, the tail of my trailer ended up scraping another truck's grille, luckily the damage was very, very minimal and not too big of a deal, but I would say 2-3 ft is safe and close enough... Just sayin >_>
Mastery is Not a mystery it is the Consistency 💒
thanks!
same principles as a car with trailer but on a much bigger scale, if your mirrors will fit then so will your load unless your oversize then it all gets complicated. my life long dream is to become king of the road but here in the good old UK it is now so hard and very expensive to pass all the driver training tests with the theory practical hazard perception driver CPC not to mention the tachograph training after all this there would still be no work for a newbie with little experience. at 44 years old my dreams are fading with age and I must face defeated soooo gutted I love the big rigs.
MrGlendragon don't give up because your age, I'm 52 and I'm on my 2nd week at the wheel 4 more to go before I'm done training. I'm sure someone will hire us even to move trailers on the yard before OTR , hahaha.
So you're backing in at about a 45 degree angle. At what point should you start steering back to the right? In other words, start making the turn that's going to get you from a 45 degree angle to straight in? When your rear tandems get even with the entrance to the hole? Just before?
+Marsbonfire You don't steer to the right otherwise you will close the angle and be in a jackknife. You want to cut all the way to the left until it straightens out.
thanks alot
If your tandems are way forward, worry about your rear bumper ALOT!!!
Please tell how to make straight trailer,when one side back of the trailer at dock door has space one inch or three inch
my trainer is a young guy and is having some difficulty explaining and gets super frustrated when I make mistakes; he told me to turn when my drive tires are like mid way in the space I want; however you video suggests something a little different.....could you reply to my comment and tell me what you think? thanks for the vid
i just failed my test because of the backing.....hate those damn cones
Verygood
This is one of the things that scares me about my CDL test
Thx
one thing...........towards the end of the set up, u have to be careful not to make your tractor go too close to the wall or object so that u cannot maneuver the tractor without hitting the wall...............do i make sense?
HEY MR. JOHN I NEED YOUR HELP ,I HAVE A TEST ON ALLEY DOCK BACKING A 53 FT TRAILER ON THE BLIND SIDE ON A SLANT THANKS.
+Chris Colbert OUCH!
you should not get too close to the opposing obstacle ( the wall in the drawing ). you need room to maneuver your tractor...nice explanation of the basic technique though
if i have avg. intelligence how long should it take to be a descent driver thats not super trucker just a guy who can getrdone.
Do you drive car? and how long it took you to become a normal driver to drive a sedan car. It is the same with big trucks, the more you drive the more you will get better and just remember it is all the same except it is bigger. So good luck.
Haha! I learned how to drive a car in a week! Took me 2 weeks longer then usually because of the backing of a semi trailer
😂 it’s been 4 years since you wrote your comment. So how long did it took you?
Everyone is nervous about docking when they first start school, but the truth is nobody is born with the ablity to do it and anyone can learn if they practice and pay attention. I passed the dmv test, but I left the industry for a year or so, came back and had to start at square one. It's the type of thing where if you practice you'll become a pro. But if you don't, you'll probably lose the ability. Trucking isn't rocket science. Pay attention, practice common sense and safety and youll be fine
Would this be called a 45 degree angle back ?
Ncon00i Plus1 NO 60° angel
show blindside angles too on paper
Last name Buddies
Tractor too close to wall, from parking spot (1,2,####) if make around 145 degree angle than can do much better and will get enough space for tractor too to make corrections for trailer.
Can u show it by actually driving pls
question john : what have you done with the REAL - JOHN G. ???? the one from
morton east,,,the guy i spent most of grade school, and all of high school with...
do this for me - look at web site ' sawanow.com' , and in the 'art gallery' there is a
'contact me' -page,, take a minute and drop me a line..i've missed you man,,,VIA
show blindside angles too on paper