Hi, all. Maybe some can give me advice what I’m doing wrong? Just come back from my 1st time artic reverse training… And was bad, really bad. 
I just can’t get it right (meant straight line truck with trailer) Bending like a snake from 1 side to other and in the end I’m in so much mess that I cant even drive trough the cones. I just can’t adjust the steering the right way. Wile I’m thinking which side to turn already to late or turning already to much opposite way. Then I shunt forward and try again. It’s good for couple of metrs and then it goes again… 
A bit worried now. Any help much appreciated. Thanks.
Who is your training provider 
How many different ways did your instructor try to explain it
ROG:
Who is your training providerHow many different ways did your instructor try to explain it
I’m in NI with Ken Irwin school. Outside of cab walking with me and giving instructions. I think it’s not his fault, I just seem not to get how far to turn. It’s like- now right, now left, but I have no clue what I’m really doing and what actions drives me where…
ricelis:
Outside of cab walking with me and giving instructions. I think it’s not his fault, I just seem not to get how far to turn. It’s like- now right, now left, but I have no clue what I’m really doing and what actions drives me where…
Explained one way or in various ways
Did he let you have a play on your own for a while
Right to bend Left to mend
But be careful not to go too much as what you turn 1 way you have to take off the other quite quick just slow 1/2 turn at a time
A few very basic helpers:
It only takes a tiny movement of the wheel to get the bend on - it takes a lot more to straighten out again.
If you’re not sure which way to turn, 90% of the time you’ll do nothing wrong by steering “into” the trailer ie if you can see the trailer in your left mirror, steer left. And obviously the same principle for right.
Having done the above you must watch for the whole outfit coming into a straight line. At the point where the outfit is straight, the wheels must be straight or it will immediately bend the other way - and you rarely want that.
There’s a lot more to it than this, but it might help. I suggest that you get your trainer to demonstrate it. Also that you spend time practicing reversing in a straight line. Harder than it sounds!
Good luck with it, Pete 
ROG:
ricelis:
Outside of cab walking with me and giving instructions. I think it’s not his fault, I just seem not to get how far to turn. It’s like- now right, now left, but I have no clue what I’m really doing and what actions drives me where…Explained one way or in various ways
Did he let you have a play on your own for a while
There in yard was quite a lot of trainees, and all just sits in and take a few tries to park in parking bay and then change over for next to go (two tracks going round and round). So, not much time to try things. But it’s for free and every sunday and for everyone. When real training starts it’s different story, instructor works with you directly (I know- I pass with them class 2). But reversing is most important in 1st class, so just wanted to get used to it bit more, before I even start training (start date not yet discussed).
And thanks everybody for advice. Trying to remember- if trailer in right mirror- right hand down on wheel, left mirror- left hand down… Next sunday going to give it other go…
Peter Smythe:
A few very basic helpers:It only takes a tiny movement of the wheel to get the bend on - it takes a lot more to straighten out again.
If you’re not sure which way to turn, 90% of the time you’ll do nothing wrong by steering “into” the trailer ie if you can see the trailer in your left mirror, steer left. And obviously the same principle for right.
Having done the above you must watch for the whole outfit coming into a straight line. At the point where the outfit is straight, the wheels must be straight or it will immediately bend the other way - and you rarely want that.
There’s a lot more to it than this, but it might help. I suggest that you get your trainer to demonstrate it. Also that you spend time practicing reversing in a straight line. Harder than it sounds!
Good luck with it, Pete
Thanks, Pete, really helpful advice. Thanks a lot.
I wouldn’t worry too much about making a hash of it to start, especially with loads of people watching…
It comes with practice, and you’ll soon pick it up! 
Evil8Beezle:
I wouldn’t worry too much about making a hash of it to start, especially with loads of people watching…
It comes with practice, and you’ll soon pick it up!
Ouu, I hope so. Thanks, mate. Lets see, how I will do next time. Now watching youtube videos, one shared a bit earlier today seems really good learning video… Yes, when profs do it, it looks really easy and straight forward, but in real life when your self behind wheel, all is 100x harder…
When reversing put your head out of the window to watch the trailer and you’ll find the hand movements come easier , also move dead slow as that gives you more time to move the wheel if you need to .
i think of it this way. i use my left hand on the bottom of the wheel whilst reversing. my fingers point towards the windscreen. if i want the trailer to move to the left, then i know i need to point my left palm to the left (turning the wheel to the right) and if i want it to move right then i know i need to move my left palm right (wheel turns left). I hope that makes sense. I quite often got mixed up when doing the reverse, but i just stopped, straighten out the wheels and use the above method t sort myself out.
like others say, small movements and give them time to work rather than steer more.
Is it a manual and are you using the accelerator
Take your seat belt off (It’s allowed) and put your head out the window. You can use your palm to turn the wheel.
You only need to make small turns of the wheel. Check your left mirror a minimum of three times during the reverse but do not rely on it. The trailer will never be straight in the left mirror.
I cannot stress enough, get your head out the window and let your brain work the steering wheel.
The amount of time spent on the left mirror should pretty well equal any time spent with head out of the window. Otherwise expect to fail for observation.
But, yes, I encourage folks to do this when it helps (which isn’t always the case).
Pete
The circs you describe of being with a group and attempting to get in a parking bay when you’ve never tried anything like that before, its hardly surprising you hadn’t a clue.
This is going to sound really daft, but a toy model artic, with steering, and an afternoon playing with it will show you in the comfort of your home the way opposite steering, and how much or little of it, works.
Borrowing someone’s car and trailer (large as poss, caravan?) and spending a few hours on an empty car park is another good learning curve, such a short trailer will be different to a semi trailer as faster steering movement to keep up will be required, but in no time at all you’ll be steering the right way and have fathomed out that steering inputs have to be reversed when you use the mirrors instead, then its just a case of adjusting what you’ve learned to the long wheelbase of a semi trailer…course if you decide to train in a lorry and drag combination instead, that will be more or less the same as a large car and caravan combo regarding steering.
It would be in your interests to do this, the short training schedules these days trainers do not have time to spend near enough a day manoeuvering, which i and others benefitted from when an artic course was standard 10 working days long, they will have to concentrate on teaching you to pass the test reverse and i’m not moaning at them for that for i have no doubt they’d love to have a trainee for 10 days out on the road and have time to do more things in depth.
Thanks everyone for good advices. Taking in count all of them. Now I’m more confident for continuing to learn. Unfortunately have a kind of sports car without towbar. So will go sundays to yard and keep practising with real staff for as long as needs. Maybe next week will be less people wanting to drive and will have more time for me. Any way, 4 hours every sunday, sooner or later I get better… 