Tips for forward offset tracking?
Posted by buzz_zap_boom@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 12 comments
Think I got everything else down pat, the only thing I struggle with is the forward offset tracking. I get so focused on making sure the back wheels pass between the cone and the line (that seems to be missing on this pic) that I end up passing too close to the front left cone entirely and nearly running it over. To me the solution just seems to be swing way wider when I get out of the lane and turn hard right to be parallel to the lane before my back tire passes the zone it has to go through, but the instructor says no. Any tips? I'm practicing on a straight job, 35 feet I believe
FriendNeeded31@reddit
Something I personally do for any turns moving forward is to go forward as far as I can and cut the wheel to turn. I never start turning early. Essentially pulling the trailer as far out as I can if that makes sense. Good luck
verysatisfiedredditr@reddit
When youre turning, theres an imaginary triangle between your truck/trailer sides, the hood mirror and the back end of the trailer. As long as the cone doesnt come inside that triangle youll miss that cone back there. Keep obstacles just outside that line. You can practice this casually with any marks or trash on the ground.
Just keep getting dialed in on where you imagine your front bumper is. Like straight down through the steering column is a good guess. But thats where Get Out And Look comes in.
Idk what helped me more than anything was slowing down just a little until i see exactly what i need to do, and the rhythm i need to do it in. Dont just go for it, slow down until you visualize it. For me its like balancing on a knifes edge, its unforgiving to get off course by much. Imagine the position of all three sets of wheels and how they affect eachother.
No ones gonna remember you for being too slow but theyll remember you for crashing. So dont create imaginary pressure and learn to be precise.
scottiethegoonie@reddit
Straight truck or combo?
buzz_zap_boom@reddit (OP)
Straight job
Much_Distribution635@reddit
You can't even do it in a box truck? Do you know what a straight truck is?
Sure_Try6958@reddit
Your cdl school should have trained you properly
UOLZEPHYR@reddit
Yes, they should have. But they didn't so theyre asking here.
Secondly, dont think you didn't have to learn some tips and tricks on driving/backing when you first started. Have some heart for new folks actually trying
UOLZEPHYR@reddit
Make the break towards your box. Get straight. Keep backing. Your targets are the end of your trailer and the cone . Put them next to each other as close as you can. Turn the wheel all the way towards that side. Get your truck into the box. Use all your avaliable space.
Back up amd make sure the nose of your trailer is inside the box and your trailer didnt go past the box at the back.
Honk honk when done
Cann1balHulk@reddit
You’re starting your turn too soon.
I used the last cone on the left before the gap as my reference point. I started my turn when the cone got to about the halfway point of my trailer. I’d swing my cab out so my front right tire is past the line on the left, and come back in. Once I started coming back in, I’d watch my rear trailer tire only until I knew I was gonna clear the box and then I’d focus on straightening out.
TLDR: creep until that cone is halfway down your trailer, start turning. Turn out until your right cab tire is clear of the line, then come back in. Track your rear trailer tire until you’re clear of the cone, straighten out.
MRLNRomeroMatt@reddit
Sounds like you're starting your turn too soon.
Ok_Special_1117@reddit
Watch your rear trailer tires and before they get to the cone start turning the tractor left. It sounds like your trailer might be bigger so it could be different on when you need to turn. After practicing a few times you should be able to figure out where you need to turn by watching your driver side mirror and where the cone is in relation to parts of the trailer. Shouldn’t have to worry about that cone once you find the sweet spot.
You’ll need to also practice when to turn back to the right and then straightening the trailer. I didn’t use anything to figure out when to do this so it’s hard to give you exact advice. I just thought I didn’t want to go out of bounds so I started turning to the right at some point and then back left to straighten the tractor and trailer.
Good luck just went through this practice makes perfect. Keep trying and I’m sure you’ll get it down.
IamRNG@reddit
i kinda do this one by feel alone without issue so my advice may be flawed. try turning out when your trailer is more than halfway past the cone you turn from maybe? i drive a 53 foot though