|
Post by rwillmob on Aug 22, 2004 20:47:59 GMT -5
i need help
today i started my first day of backing.. and it did not go well... every one in my class mastered the straight line back but me...i look in the mirror and i don't see the trailer drifting and when i do, its either to late or i turn the wrong way.
I have struggled with all the skills to now but always thought that i could master them if i just hang in there and keep trying.. but backing is a diffrent story.
the head instructor at my school suggested that trucking may not be for me. but i want this more than anything in the world.
I may have to leave the school (a 3 week program) because of lack of progress.
Questions:
1. If I keep trying will I be able to learn to back and sharpen my other skills or is it true that "some are not made to be truck drivers"?
2. I I don't learn it here.. could i try another school and becuse of diffent type of instruction.. pick it up easyier?
what should i do
thanks
|
|
|
Post by Pelicn on Aug 23, 2004 20:32:40 GMT -5
Boy can I identify with you! I just graduated trucking school (2nd try). It took me twice in order to get the backing skills down. I don't know what to tell you that will work for you, but I can tell you what worked for me. First off: If the trailer is drifting left, turn left, drifting right, turn right. OR...if you want the trailer to go to the right, turn left, if you want the trailer to go left, turn right. It's the same thing, but some people need to think about it in a different way. When adjusting your left west coast mirror, adjust it so that you see the the back edge of the trailer (not the front edge) Literally, just a thin sliver of the trailer on the inside edge of the mirror. That way, when you see the trailer starting to fill the mirror or the trailer disappears, you know it's drifting. Also, while backing don't watch the right west coast mirror. I don't mean don't look at it, but stop before looking that way and get your bearings. You can see how the trailer is lined up to the hole, but if you use that one to back it will make you move all cattywampus! It does take time to figure out what you're "seeing" in the mirror. Get out of the truck and look at it from the ground that might help too. Good Luck
|
|
polly
New Member
Posts: 5
|
Post by polly on Aug 29, 2004 14:02:52 GMT -5
Man do you need my instructor! My school will not give up on a student. They will train one on one. I had trouble with the alley dock. My instructor kept on working with me and I never heard anyone say trucking may not be for me. Heck they kept telling me I could do it. And I did it. What a bummer have a dumb school tell you that!
|
|
|
Post by truckertom on Aug 29, 2004 14:14:42 GMT -5
Pretty good advice so far, one thing is that you have to keep the rig straight. When the trailer starts drifting, you have to catch it when it happens...not 20 feet later. That said, many use the side of the sleeper as an aiming tool to compare the trailer with, some use the tires. If your tractor tires are following the same path backwards as the trailer tires, you must be backing pretty straight.
Another problem students have is the don't understand that when you turn the wheel to get straight with the trailer, you have to return your wheel to the middle when you do get straight with it. If you don't, the trailer just keeps headed the direction you are sending it. If your trailer is left and you turn left to catch up with your trailer, that is fine. But when you do get the trailer straight and you are still turning left, your trailer is going to go to the right. So your backing tracks look like a drunk snake going backwards.
You controll the trailer, you don't let it controll you. You have a brain, the trailer doesn't. You will figure it out, and when you do you may wonder why you were making so hard at first. Keep up the hard work, sweat it out and you will make it! One day, you may be charging other drivers to back their trailers in.
|
|
|
Post by Fozzy on Aug 30, 2004 12:01:24 GMT -5
ADJUST THE MIRRORS:
you should be able to EASILY see the trailer sides and preferably the tandems on the trailer while sitting back in the seat.
USE YOUR NECK!
Insure that you move your head! check each mirror every couple of seconds! Staring in one mirror is the biggest cause of drifting. If you can catch the trailer moving, you can do something about it.
Do NOT become "mirror dominant" If you find yourself staring in one mirror while straight backing..tape a peice of paper over that mirror for a few tries!! This forces you to look into the other mirror! (all of these things should have been tried by the instructors).
SHUFFLE THE WHEEL:
While straight backing small adjustments should be all that is needed to keep the rig straight. If you see the trailer wheels on BOTH sides of the trailer as you back, you are going straight! If you start to loose the wheels.. go find em!
TALK TO YOURSELF!!!
"Wheels on this side, Wheels on that side" "Wheels on this side, Wheels on that side" "Wheels on this side, Wheels on that side" "Wheels on this side, Wheels on that side"
AIM FAR AWAY! Look for an object far away to sight in on, Use tire marks or lane lines, or lines in the concrete to keep referrance.
Move your focus from side to side and you can beat this.
Hope this helps
Fozzy
|
|
|
Post by truckertom on Aug 30, 2004 20:08:47 GMT -5
"tape a peice of paper over that mirror for a few tries!!"
I have had to hang a jacket over a mirror that has a student staring at it at times.
|
|
|
Post by Fozzy on Aug 31, 2004 5:24:25 GMT -5
"tape a peice of paper over that mirror for a few tries!!" I have had to hang a jacket over a mirror that has a student staring at it at times. That works! I saw A guy one time at a Ranger Survival School who was made to rappell left handed because he was being a putz! LOL He finally realized that he had two hands... Fozzy
|
|
|
Post by rwillmob on Aug 31, 2004 20:23:56 GMT -5
I want to thank every one for their responces. now for the good new and the bad new... the good is that i did master the straight line back. and did get to move on... the bad news is that i could not master the 45 degree back and i was "release from the school" the instructor told me that "we could keep you for another 7 weeks and i really don't think you could get it" needless to say, I WAS CRUSHED!!! it felt like my whole world is crashing in on me.... at this time, i'm sitting at home (after a LONG bus ride) considering all my options. still i want nothing more in my life than to get my CDL and get out there on the road.. even now since i went to school with some the the nicest class mate in the world.. boy i miss them.. I know there are alot of nice and great people out there in the trucking world... I can't wait to get out there with you... any ideas on what schools could help me and how i could pay for them? any word of encouragement/support and advice will be greatly welcome EVEN FROM RECRUITERS!!! thank Ronn
|
|
|
Post by wheelwrangler on Sept 8, 2004 14:59:17 GMT -5
How Sad that is......... I would never recommend a student to a school like that. (instructors, I hope You are Listening), Sounds like they just want to put in the least amount of work for the day.... People should take pride in what they do and be grateful when a challenge comes their way so they can prove how good they really are. Taking a student that has problems and working extra with them (after class if needed) is the mark of excellence, and something that puts you head and shoulders above the rest. It also gives you bragging rights when the raises get handed out... and other positions become open...
I had a boss once who gave me some excellent advise that has served me well ever since:
If your going to be a driver...........Be the best driver If your going to be a mechanic.....Be the best Mechanic. If your going to be a Dispatcher..Be the best...........
you get the picture............
My advice........ Start asking around for someone who had an excellent instructor and go there. Hope you didn't pay for that instruction yet. I would let them know that you are going to go to someone else who will finish the instruction that they started because they are not living up to what they promised. If you paid for the instruction in part or in full, tell them you will send them a bill for it. I wouldn't pay a plumber for a job half finished and you shouldn't pay a school for the same... File a claim in small claims court if you have too. and perhaps you can get the names of some other students they did the same thing too. Get them involved as well, or at least get a statement from them so you can show this is a pattern with this school.
|
|
|
Post by skyraider on Sept 8, 2004 20:24:54 GMT -5
IN Tennessee u can go to the Vo-Tech schools here and the training is 12 weeks,,cost us about 1200 bucks,,whatever state ur in ,,try the vo-tech schools there,,,,Sky.......good luck
|
|
|
Post by Tinman on Sept 9, 2004 10:50:58 GMT -5
WOW... Tinman
|
|
|
Post by Scott on Sept 11, 2004 8:01:15 GMT -5
What's a "raise"?
|
|
|
Post by truckertom on Sept 12, 2004 13:07:10 GMT -5
I cannot believe schools give up on students so easily.
I have this to say about many stories I have heard from students here who have had to nearly teach themselves how to drive while their instructors drank coffee in the truckstops: If you do not learn a basic skill, there is no reason to continue until you do. You do not build a house on a foundation that has not been built yet. So many instructors shuttle their slower students along with the faster ones, even though they have only done something once or twice and may have only gotten lucky.
Example: I will call this student Bart. Bart was having one hell of a time learning how to drive. As the lead instructor at our school, he went with me for a day or two befor I gave him back to his instructor that needed a break from him. I know Bart was going to be a tough one, he was one of those that seemed to start at day one every moring. After every instructor working with him and Bart having to stay over a week, on Wednesday the light went on.
His instructor Richard comes in and tells me that Bart did excellent that day. The Next day, Bart goes down to the DPS (DMV) takes the driving test and makes a 96 on it!
Students are human beings, they are not numbers. They have feelings, they have a communication system that the Instructor has to use to the best of their ability. Rwillmob, with the attitude you have displayed here, you must really want this! You would make a good addition to the trucking community and I hope you don't let this discourage you into giving up. It can be done, you can still be a good driver without being an expert backer. I have found that drivers that are great backers become too sure of themselves. It is more important that you become a "Safe Backer" than a fast one.
|
|
|
Post by Pelicn on Sept 15, 2004 20:13:27 GMT -5
any ideas on what schools could help me and how i could pay for them? Ronn If you're in NC you could go to NC Truck Driver Training School. It's sponsored by the state and costs less than 600.00 for an 8 week course.
|
|
|
Post by Pcuthbert on Sept 16, 2004 10:05:26 GMT -5
Ronn;
Until you decide which school you are wanting to join, give this idea some thought.
Head on down to a warehouse/ distribution center. Stand off to the side somewhere you can see what is happening.
Watch the drivers and see what they are doing and where the trailers are going.
If you hang around for a couple of days, try to get to know the donkey driver. See if he will let you ride with him for a few hours and explain what he is doing. Jump out and connect and disconnect the air lines as partial payment.
Buy lunch.
Hang out at a truck stop with handsful of coffee money. Buy coffee for several drivers. tell them where you are at and where you want to go. You will find that many have been there and will offer advice. Some of it will be bogus, but you would be able to detect the gleam in their eye when they tell yo something.
You will gain knowledge of different companies. You may meet some friends. You may even find a driver who will open his rig up to you for some bootleg training time.
Pat
|
|