Thanx for the responses,I'm not a driver (yet),I have a feeling the place I'm working right now is on it's way down and when that happens I think I will give trucking a try.
Just trying to find out as many things as I can about this profession.

 

Give me a hole that’s 4-5 spaces wide and I fumble about like a spaz, taking 4-5 pull-ups to get square between the lines, but give me a tight one that has trucks hugging the lines…that’s when I’m able to slip it in the first time, go figure

Go ahead, put on the pressure, that’s how diamonds are created. 8)

 

When I first started driving, I was having a helluva time getting into a door. There was an older driver there, he pulled in just behind me. He gave me plenty of room, and when I finally got backed in, I walked over to thank him. He said to me, "Son, you want to know the secret to getting it in on your first shot every time?"

"Well, of course," I said.

"Make sure there's nobody around to see you. As soon as someone's watching, it might take all afternoon. But if no one's around, you'll slide her right in every time."




One of the keys is to just not get nervous. It's not easy at first, but you'll learn to feel it - you'll know when it's going to be right. Turn down your CB - if you're having a tough time, the last thing that's going to make it easier is some jerk talking smack to you. Take your time with it, don't let anybody rush you. It takes a lot less time to get out and check if you're not sure than it does to fill out the paperwork if you hit somebody else.

 

Generally I avoid backing in at truck stops at night. It could because I just came off of a long drive or the spot looks too tight. My second week otr on my own, I came to a Pilot in South Carolina, I can't remember the city. There was only one spot available in the entire truck stop and backing in was my only option.

The pressure was on me as a rookie driver. There were alot of drivers sitting in their cabs looking at me and then there were a few others standing around talking and wondering how long and how many pull-ups it would take for the rookie to get in that spot.

After about 10 long minutes I got it in there perfect and I never felt so relieved after it was over. But, personally I avoid backing at all causes unless I really have to.

 

Lot of drivers are like that because they are so used to having a narrow slot to get into. I know I am, I park every day at my yard by backing in between 2 trucks. When one is not there I tend to drift towards where that missing truck normally parks. The tighter it is, the better I focus and make it happen.

I had a delivery to a jobsite where a worker refused to move his car even though he was waiting for me to get out of the way so he could leave the site. Roll-off dumpster on my left and this 4 wheeler on my right. Backed her right in between both and made my drop. I actually had to step up onto the dumpster to get out of my truck, so yeah it was tight. If I had gone out the passenger side, I could have easily used the butheads car roof to get out.

 

for me the worst part about getting to the truck stop late (after 1800) and all the easy spots are filled is that I am usually tired and have a bear backing in sometimes.
Just turn off the CB so you don't have to listen to the peanut gallery and do what you have to to get in the spot. Just remember sight side is easier and straight truck and trailer is the best way to start.
That being said, all the sight side spots with enough room for good set up will already be taken if it is after 1800.

 

I can relate to that...... 8)

Thats right, and practice makes perfect....or nearly so. 8)

Whats really fun is blind side backing into a "chemical loading rack"..... with pipes all over the place.... 8) 8)

 

Thats funny, I have the same problem when given too much room.

 

I know this feeling well. Pulled into a shipper that had 20 doors and no other trucks in the yard.....took me 15 minutes to hit the door straight. :roll:

 

I back in where I have to, sometimes I have more trouble than others. For the most part it's usually not a big deal. I will say though, that give me a pull through and I'll take it over backing into a spot regardless of the time of day. If it's late at night and it's really tight, I'll use whatever works best for me, whether it be backing in or pulling in. I get plenty of practice backing into spots. Turning down a pull through just to show off my manly skills by backing into a tight spot doesn't interest me much. Maybe I'm weird, but I rarely ever worry about what others in the truckstop are thinking about me when it comes time for me to shut it down.