Any tips on offset manuevers?

Posted by ExternalityXV@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 9 comments

Hi friends, I've been a hostler driver for a year and 8 months. Previously my company required you get CDL, but they ended up cutting that program. Fast forward to recently and they finally decided to send me to get my CDL.

I have everything down, pre-trip in and out, straight backing, I've even already driven on the road. I don't know what it is about offset but it is killing me. It doesn't help the school they've sent me to is awful, you're basically fighting to get in the day cab all day. Not enough vehicles, not enough instructors, half the time they'll start coaching you to do a maneuver and then walk off to help someone else.

I'm just feeling alot of pressure because I have this week and next week to get and down and pass, otherwise I get kicked off the transportation team regardless off the fact I've went this long without a CDL. Any and all advice would be appreciated, I'm really just struggling to understand when and where to turn. The place I'm driving is literally just a gravel pit so I have no other visual markers than the cones.

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Alarming_Star_6549@reddit

Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel, whichever way you move it that is the direction your trailer is gonna go. Dont over steer. Create an imaginary line from your tires to where you want them to end up and dont over steer

J9Dougherty@reddit

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mytruckingskills.v1

ignoreme010101@reddit

I know it's difficult to get time but fight for as much as you can get (maybe even see about being there early or at end of day to get an extra time or two)

Go slow, cannot emphasize this enough. GOAL(get out and look).

For standard 90° dock technique, do you know "standard" setup? Because this is VERY important....proper setup before any maneuver really matters but especially for this maneuver, nailing the setup can easily make or break success and dictate your progress all day. So.....assuming you want on a dock, let's imagine the dock is ahead of you and on the left, you approach it, you go past it slightly about 1 truck width (i go past it until my body/window is lined up with the driver who is on the dock after mine), turn to the right sharply and go until you're facing 90° from starring position, then sharply swing that wheel all the way to the left and go drive until you are facing same way you were when you initially approached the dock. Now it's just a matter of backing up and watching the direction/progress of the tail of your trailer and adjust accordingly.
LOL that was brutal to write and imagine far worse to read. YouTube for this, I am sure there are thousands of vids on this maneuver. Don't forget how critical your setup is, that cannot be overemphasized.

[PS, get your trailer tandem axle setting around the middle, maybe closer to the front. I liked having it near the front when I was newer, but now I prefer it a bit further back maybe 5 holes from the front which is like 1/3rd of the way back on my trailer]

BrattySubSam@reddit

When backing, the top of the steering wheel is N. When you want to back to your left, turn the wheel to the right (east). When you want to back to the right, turn your wheel left (west). The more you turn the wheel, the more drastic the angle

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B-8ndLQvq7Y

This is a good video

Sparks_PC_Building@reddit

Or. Just move your hand to the bottom of the wheel. Want to go left? Move hand left. Want to go right? Move hand right.

If your hand is at the top of the wheel however, watch your trailer in the mirrors. Trailer getting bigger in the left mirror? Turn towards it. Same for trailer getting bigger in the right mirror. Small movements, no over corrections.

FJB_2024_@reddit

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-wVobD4Juhc&si=MhzmKAM37YGYa6U5

steveteeg1@reddit

I picture it from overhead like playing pool

Libiido@reddit

Depending on how far ahead of the first turning point they have you start. Count up to three to four seconds when you start reversing. On that three or four mark start your turn. {Remember that when backing you want to complete one circle(turn) at a time then check your mirrors. You shouldn't turn the wheel a lot unless you need to.} Once you start your slow and slight turn. Try to get whatever side of the trailer you are ENTERING the parking zone with pretty close to that first cone, but the back of the trailer in behind the first line in your blind side mirror(dont go over it. If you have lines.) Once you do that and the back of your trailer has reached the cone. STOP. Straighten the wheels(look out the widow at your wheels if you need to) and the straight line back until the opposite side of the back of your trailer reaches very close to the first cone on it's side. STOP. GET OUT AND LOOK at your blind side and back of trailer to check your room and space. If you are good. Reset wheels and do a one turn in the opposite direction to start correcting. If you need more you will know. Always look at mirrors! ALWAYS. Hopefully this helps. Goodluck!

CakewalkNOLA@reddit

I used the cross members of my landing gear as a reference point for when to turn. I just don't know how to put it into words for you though. Whatever you do, take your time, don't let anyone rush you and don't be afraid to get out and look. You've been a yard jockey, so you've got the knowledge. You've must got to find what works for you.