Backing with not much space tips.

[Rusk_Tuskins]

Rookie here,
My trainer was a weird dumbass and didn't really teach me how to back into a hole when there's not much space on the opposite side of the hole. (Imagine a packed truck stop with not a lot of room between the rows and you want to park in one of the last spots, if you will). I understand a 90 degree is the best and often only option, but I'm having a hard time with it.

Anyone care to share their method in such a situation? I'm mainly looking for a good, reliable set-up (like distance from the row of trucks, distance from trailer tail to edge of the space...etc.) The rest I can figure out. But feel free to get as in-depth as you like. Let's say I have tandems all the way forward.

Thanks

 

[Electric Chicken]

Set up depends on your truck wheelbase, front axle style, turning radius (how sharp that particular manufacturer steering can go), and where your tandems are set, what's in the way and where, and how much space you have between the front of trailer and back of cab/fairings in extreme situations.

There's really no "method" other than to pay attention to what your equipment can do and practice.

The most basic things are to hug the side you're parking at as close as you can, then cut to the right about 2-3 spots past the hole. Then cut to the left as close to the opposite row as you can while still giving yourself room to swing back to the right as you're backing without ripping your hood off.

 

[Rusk_Tuskins]

The most basic things are to hug the side you're parking at as close as you can, then cut to the right about 2-3 spots past the hole. Then cut to the left as close to the opposite row as you can while still giving yourself room to swing back to the right as you're backing without ripping your hood off.

I understand that as a good general approach, but Is that truly the best thing to do when space is pretty limited though? I've mostly observed other drivers in that situation just barely cut it to the right then left, or not even cut it at all and just immediately start jackknifing. In those cases they usually start out a decent amount of space away from the row of trucks/trailers though instead of as close as possible...

 

[Duck]

Have your tandems about halfway through the range of adjustment. Too far back and your turn radius is too big. Too far forward and you'll have tail swing to worry about.

 

[Mike]

Drive the trailer, not the truck. To take this further, drive your tandems, not simply the back of the trailer.

One primary key is to be as close to the side you are backing into as possible when you begin your setup.

That said, the further forward you are running your tandems, the further away you will have to be to allow for the tailswing. This is because with the tandems forward, the tandems may be in track for hitting the truck beside you when the back of the trailer looks perfect.

When you angle the trailer into the spot, you want to be putting the trailer as close to the drivers side of that spot as possible as you enter it. This allows you to get as much of the trailer into the parking spot as possible before you begging getting back underneath the trailer. This helps prevent you from being faced with hitting the trucks in front of you.

When getting back under the trailer, the key is to learn to be back underneath it before the trailer is cutting back toward the trailer on your left.

Major key in all of this is learning your truck and the turning radius you are dealing with. This will take some practice every time you move to a different type of truck.

YOU CAN NEVER GET OUT AND LOOK TOO MANY TIMES.

Finally, treat every parking situation as if it is very tight and focus each and every time on setup. Remember how far you go passed your parking spot before setting up your angle and do it the same every time once you get it down.

Two key facts to remember:

1. If there is room at the truck stop to get the truck into the spot, there was room to do it without any pull-ups, unless your pull ups are to compensate for a hood with horrible turning radius.

2. Tandems forward really doesn’t help you when backing in most cases. What can help in extremely insane backing situations is sliding the tandems forward once the trailer is angled into the spot and you find yourself with limited room in front of you. Cases like this are extremely rare.

 

[Mike]

I understand that as a good general approach, but Is that truly the best thing to do when space is pretty limited though? I've mostly observed other drivers in that situation just barely cut it to the right then left, or not even cut it at all and just immediately start jackknifing. In those cases they usually start out a decent amount of space away from the row of trucks/trailers though instead of as close as possible...

It’s preference.

Swinging out to set up your angle makes it easier when space is at a premium.

Those who don’t swing out and just immediately jack the trailer in will have to start out further from the spot than the person who starts out closer to the spot then swings out to create their angle. The end result is the same.

 

[Electric Chicken]

It’s preference.

Swinging out to set up your angle makes it easier when space is at a premium.

Those who don’t swing out and just immediately jack the trailer in will have to start out further from the spot than the person who starts out closer to the spot then swings out to create their angle. The end result is the same.

Yeah 55 feet or less between rows several times a day for years will teach you what works and what doesn't.

 

[Electric Chicken]

I understand that as a good general approach, but Is that truly the best thing to do when space is pretty limited though? I've mostly observed other drivers in that situation just barely cut it to the right then left, or not even cut it at all and just immediately start jackknifing. In those cases they usually start out a decent amount of space away from the row of trucks/trailers though instead of as close as possible...

In my experience, yes. I ran rail for 5 years with 55 feet between dropped trailers, and sometimes had to back in with trucks still sitting under their trailer across from me giving me even less space. Truck stops usually have 60+ feet nose to nose. I've done store deliveries to Costco, Walmart, and Sam's Club where you have to snake through the parking lot between tree islands because there is no driveway. I've also delivered to and picked up from small warehouses in New Jersey that predate the 53 foot trailer.

I can jack the shit out of my truck because I have as much visibility as you can get, a good 4 feet between my cab and trailer, and no fairings. I don't recommend doing what I can do in a sleeper. Especially a tucked up aero one.

 

[Phantom Trucker]

Take it slow, have your radio off and window down so you stand a chance at hearing something. (Some hollering or a crunch).

Second thing I’d say is practise as often as you can. Very few drivers spend time to practise their backing skills (or keep sharp) and it shows at pretty much every dock or truck stop.

 

[Rusk_Tuskins]

In my experience, yes. I ran rail for 5 years with 55 feet between dropped trailers, and sometimes had to back in with trucks still sitting under their trailer across from me giving me even less space. Truck stops usually have 60+ feet nose to nose. I've done store deliveries to Costco, Walmart, and Sam's Club where you have to snake through the parking lot between tree islands because there is no driveway. I've also delivered to and picked up from small warehouses in New Jersey that predate the 53 foot trailer.

I can jack the shit out of my truck because I have as much visibility as you can get, a good 4 feet between my cab and trailer, and no fairings. I don't recommend doing what I can do in a sleeper. Especially a tucked up aero one.

Right on...

Ill try sticking to that method best I can for now but practice the insta-jacknife method too whenever I can.

I think me usually having my tandems all the way forward has been the main cause of my difficulty.

 

[Rusk_Tuskins]

Take it slow, have your radio off and window down so you stand a chance at hearing something. (Some hollering or a crunch).

Second thing I’d say is practise as often as you can. Very few drivers spend time to practise their backing skills (or keep sharp) and it shows at pretty much every dock or truck stop.

Yep, I always have both windows down.
I mostly drive In California unfortunately and the truck stops there are packed pretty much 24/7 so It makes it hard to practice but I try whenever I get even the slightest opportunity. I gotta find a way out of this godawful state.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Right on...

Ill try sticking to that method best I can for now but practice the insta-jacknife method too whenever I can.

I think me usually having my tandems all the way forward has been the main cause of my difficulty.

Tandems forward does definitely make it harder. I usually go against Mike's good advice and drive the bumper on those instead of the tires.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Take it slow, have your radio off and window down so you stand a chance at hearing something. (Some hollering or a crunch).

Second thing I’d say is practise as often as you can. Very few drivers spend time to practise their backing skills (or keep sharp) and it shows at pretty much every dock or truck stop.

Nah leave it on. If you didn't hear it, it didn't happen.

 

[Mike]

Once you get past the point of inexperience, the main factors that will cause problems are laziness, fatigue, and darkness.

Fatigue and darkness often go hand in hand because you are tired at the end of the day and it is often dark. Fatigue can take your concentration away, and darkness can cause issues with depth perception and the ability to judge your angles.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Once you get past the point of inexperience, the main factors that will cause problems are laziness, fatigue, and darkness.

Fatigue and darkness often go hand in hand because you are tired at the end of the day and it is often dark. Fatigue can take your concentration away, and darkness can cause issues with depth perception and the ability to judge your angles.

Amen to that.

Cockiness too. Kinda goes with laziness. See a guy struggle and go "heh watch this I'll show 'em" and then you f up.

Another distraction can be your bladder. Hard to park when your eyeballs are floating and/or you're prairie doggin' it.

 

[Mike]

Amen to that. Another distraction can be your bladder. Hard to park when your eyeballs are floating and/or you're prairie doggin' it.

True, go to the fuel island first if you are at a truck stop.

 

[quillcom]

This is alright. But I mainly posted it to show you appoximately where the tandems should be.

Notice where his tandems are.
Notice how close he was to the row of trucks.
Dont be to proud for a spotters help where you can.



lol

Almost forgot this reminds me of what just happened to me a few weeks ago. A sleeper helped me back in a tighter spot than this. Then when He left he ended up nearly decapitating my mirror. I posted it on here, Luckily it just whacked it off track, no damage when I re positioned it.

 

[Rusk_Tuskins]

This is alright. But I mainly posted it to show you appoximately where the tandems should be.

Notice where his tandems are.
Notice how close he was to the row of trucks.
Dont be to proud for a spotters help where you can.



lol

Almost forgot this reminds me of what just happened to me a few weeks ago. A sleeper helped me back in a tighter spot than this. Then when He left he ended up nearly decapitating my mirror. I posted it on here, Luckily it just whacked it off track, no damage when I re positioned it.

Oh yeah he was suuuuper close. And cut it only one spot past the hole...

 

[Electric Chicken]

Nothing wrong with being super close to what you can see. It gives you more space from what you can't see.

I don't like to be perpendicular with the hole when I start to back in like that. However, the goal is to get it parked without damage. Any time you accomplish that you're fine.

 

[Electric Chicken]

Oh and don't freaking film yourself AND talk/narrate while you're doing it. It's a distraction. Same as having the radio on. Your brain can't focus on both at the same time.