Are the any training aids/simulators available to help with reversing artics? Please can anyone help?
Thanks
I borrowed my mates car and caravan for a couple of days,
not exactly the same as a artic but it gave me
a better understanding of the way things moved. 
Even if you borrowed a car with a hitch then
rented a cattle traier,
every bit helps.
i thinks its called an artic and a massive space of open ground
**:D :smiley: :smiley: Welcome Tweets :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:**
If you click the link in my signature it will lead you to an index where you can access a lot of info which may be of use to you for C+E ARTIC 
To book any LGV training I suggest the trainee-to-be, visits the training school, meets the head person(s) and has a quick look at the truck BEFORE parting with any money.
Using the site Search facility at the top of this page and putting the words TRAINING AND WHERE you wish to train may turn up some recommendations. 
The main trick is to take it SLOWLY
You can always put yourself right if you are going slow but going too fast is hopeless.
As for training aids - as was mentioned before the best training aid is the artic itself.
If you are starting your training then your instructor will explain it all to you.
If you have already passed but still struggling then just keep practising.
Whast is your main problem with it.
Maybe we can narrow it down for you.
I found the reversing very hard to get a grasp off when I was learning and the instructor was usless, he just told me to do the opposite of what I would do in a car? I think there’s a little bit more to it than that.
Anyway, I changed to a differnt training company and got a decent instructor and the first thing he tought me was to be able to reverse in a straight line which was a massive help. I think its because reversing in a straight line you are making lots of very small adjustments and it gives you a good feel for how to control it.
Sceptic:
I found the reversing very hard to get a grasp off when I was learning and the instructor was usless, he just told me to do the opposite of what I would do in a car? I think there’s a little bit more to it than that.
Anyway, I changed to a differnt training company and got a decent instructor and the first thing he tought me was to be able to reverse in a straight line which was a massive help. I think its because reversing in a straight line you are making lots of very small adjustments and it gives you a good feel for how to control it.
That is exactly the way I teach it - explain the principals first then a straight line reverse about 2 to 3 feet away from a line and getting the trainee to make small adjustments to move the trailer to the left or right.
ROG:
[
That is exactly the way I teach it - explain the principals first then a straight line reverse about 2 to 3 feet away from a line and getting the trainee to make small adjustments to move the trailer to the left or right.
Wow!! Here’s me agreeing with an instructor for once. 
- Reversing in a straight line is harder than round a corner, so is very good control practice.
- A car and caravan is an artic and in many ways more difficult than a 13 metre trailer and thus again good practice.
In fact as a general rule the longer the trailer the easier it is to reverse, watching a driver reverse a 60 or 70 footer may look very impressive but in reality he has plenty of time to rectify small mistakes.
Naturally, that is only if there is enough room for a big’un. 
using a kids toy shows you which way to push the trailer.
Reversing in a straight line is harder than round a corner, so is very good control practice.
Agreed. After trucking for 20 years I still have to straight line it REAL slow
A car and caravan is an artic and in many ways more difficult than a 13 metre trailer and thus again good practice.
Yes and no. The caravan will spin round quicker than an artic, so in some ways is harder to control - although you can take the darn thing off and handball it if you lose your temper but you cant with an artic trailer.
In fact as a general rule the longer the trailer the easier it is to reverse, watching a driver reverse a 60 or 70 footer may look very impressive but in reality he has plenty of time to rectify small mistakes.
Yes, agree again with this one.
Mothertrucker:
[A car and caravan is an artic and in many ways more difficult than a 13 metre trailer and thus again good practice.
Yes and no. The caravan will spin round quicker than an artic, so in some ways is harder to control - although you can take the darn thing off and handball it if you lose your temper but you cant with an artic trailer.
[.
Errr, I think you misunderstood MT, that is what I said.
So we agree completely then. 
Although there is no way I would admit defeat and handball any kind of trailer, if I can’t reverse it in, it ain’t going in. 
back in '83 (god i sound like an old timer now ) my instructor told me …
Dont STEER the trailer, just CORRECT it.
worked for me although 25 years later i still ■■■■ it up, usually when backing onto a loading bay in a straight line with an audience.
Never get any problems on tight farms with machinery lying in long grass, muddy potholes, low wires, dogs trying to bite the tyres, etc etc.
Usually no-one watching then though
toowise:
back in '83 (god i sound like an old timer nowDont STEER the trailer, just CORRECT it.
worked for me although 25 years later i still ■■■■ it up, usually when backing onto a loading bay in a straight line with an audience.
Never get any problems on tight farms with machinery lying in long grass, muddy potholes, low wires, dogs trying to bite the tyres, etc etc.
Usually no-one watching then though
This is the best post on this subject. Most new drivers make the mistakes of using too much steering lock and get taffled up with all sorts of wierd angles.
One thing I notice is the drivers are not looking at the important bits. If the cab is getting further away from a post or a fence, why look there? look in the other mirror and watch where your rear lamp is heading. Have a shunt, have a dozen short shunts.
have a dozen short shunts.
but not on test - you are only allowed two forward shunts at any point once you have started from the forward A cones
ROG:
have a dozen short shunts.
but not on test - you are only allowed two forward shunts at any point once you have started from the forward A cones
On the test yes, but once you have passed and have to actually do the job, you will not always be reversing into an S shaped bay with an apron 3 times the length of your vehicle.
Neither will you be driving an empty vehicle, so even pushing a loaded trailer round a corner will be very unfamiliar.
Wheel Nut:
ROG:
have a dozen short shunts.
but not on test - you are only allowed two forward shunts at any point once you have started from the forward A cones
On the test yes, but once you have passed and have to actually do the job, you will not always be reversing into an S shaped bay with an apron 3 times the length of your vehicle.
Neither will you be driving an empty vehicle, so even pushing a loaded trailer round a corner will be very unfamiliar.
Was not ‘knocking’ your post Wheel Nut but felt that I had to point out the differences for the test as this is in the NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE) forum
ROG:
Wheel Nut:
ROG:
have a dozen short shunts.
but not on test - you are only allowed two forward shunts at any point once you have started from the forward A cones
On the test yes, but once you have passed and have to actually do the job, you will not always be reversing into an S shaped bay with an apron 3 times the length of your vehicle.
Neither will you be driving an empty vehicle, so even pushing a loaded trailer round a corner will be very unfamiliar.
Was not ‘knocking’ your post Wheel Nut but felt that I had to point out the differences for the test as this is in the NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE) forum
More the reason for you going off banging your drum with the powers that be and making the test more realistic
I realise it was the newbie forum but just followed the flow, as the OP is too timid to post again. Come in, we dont bite, unless you ask us to
Rog. I was thinking more of a reversing exercise like we all have to do, reverse round a blind corner between 2 posts, off road of course but more like a road layout.
Hi
Well i aint even sat in an artic never mind reversed one but i’m pretty darn expert at reversing my camper trailer, and that thing bucks and bends at the slightest twitch of the steering wheel…and it took some getting used too. like everyone has said take it really slowly, first of all put the opposite lock on to which way you would think you want it to go, then get the logical other lock once its steering the way you want it too, and along the way you can make slight adjustments to keep things in check. It makes no-sense but believe me its true !!
I hope this helps. I know its not an artic but i would imagine the similar priciples.
and just to spice things up a bit i fully understand what your first instructor meant when he said, do the opposite of what you would in a car, THAT IS SOOO TRUE WHEN YOUR TOWING ANYTHING ! next time just take a deep breath and do the opposite of what you think you should and just watch that trailer get the steer in it to move in the correct direction then you can straighten it up and get the other lock on.
ThunderCat:
HiWell i aint even sat in an artic never mind reversed one but i’m pretty darn expert at reversing my camper trailer, and that thing bucks and bends at the slightest twitch of the steering wheel…and it took some getting used too. like everyone has said take it really slowly, first of all put the opposite lock on to which way you would think you want it to go, then get the logical other lock once its steering the way you want it too, and along the way you can make slight adjustments to keep things in check. It makes no-sense but believe me its true !!
I hope this helps. I know its not an artic but i would imagine the similar priciples.
and just to spice things up a bit i fully understand what your first instructor meant when he said, do the opposite of what you would in a car, THAT IS SOOO TRUE WHEN YOUR TOWING ANYTHING ! next time just take a deep breath and do the opposite of what you think you should and just watch that trailer get the steer in it to move in the correct direction then you can straighten it up and get the other lock on.
Sorry to take issue with you on a couple of points TC, but a car and camper trailer is an artic (articulated vehicle). It bends in the middle and the principles of reversing are the same.
Second point. I know this thread is about artics but before you lead new drivers astray you shouldn’t make a sweeping statement like the one above in capitals. It isn’t true. A-Frame drawbars are different.
Wheelnut:
More the reason for you going off banging your drum with the powers that be and making the test more realistic
A breath of fresh air, if only driving tests reflected the real world.
Sorry for delay responding and thanking you all. I’m still getting used to how the site works. All your tips and hints have beeen fab… thanks again.
I’ve been having lessons with a good company, so understand the basic principles. I just need to get some more practice, but obviously it is really expensive. I’ve been trying to make a scale model so that I can get a better understanding of how the trailer reacts to the tractor. (But this is not as easy as it sounds… most toy lorries have fixed front wheels… any ideas?). I’m going to take a few more lessons and another test but I thought there might be some sort of simulation software out there. (You can get simulators to fly planes, drive racing cars etc, etc but I can’t seem to find one for reversing an Artic!!). I’m going to try and sort out a towbar for my car and try reversing with some sort of trailer. Anyway thanks once again, (especially you Rog, your links have been really helpful) and please keep the hints coming. I’ll keep you informed.
All the best Laney