waynedl:
DAF95XF:
I was told by Lee G of this site to avoid it, steer towards it…If you’d met Lee G, you’d know he uses this philosophy when going forwards too
Yeah I’ve met him 
the firm were i worked the workshop shut down and went driving for them,loved the job but my reversing was a nightmare 
i would get into panic attacks,not good for your elf 
Keith
Only advice I could give is never to be afraid of bending the rig, its pointless sometimes trying to keep a gentle angle.
Scanner:
dar1976:
I’d rather drive a CF Manual than an auto anything.Makes reversing a lot easier with a manual box.
It’s not just me then! I’ve only been driving automatics since September and for the life of me I can’t get used to not feathering the clutch when reversing, it’s driving me bloody mad!
opticruise with a clutch…best of both worlds 
commonrail:
Scanner:
dar1976:
I’d rather drive a CF Manual than an auto anything.Makes reversing a lot easier with a manual box.
It’s not just me then! I’ve only been driving automatics since September and for the life of me I can’t get used to not feathering the clutch when reversing, it’s driving me bloody mad!
opticruise with a clutch…best of both worlds
Never saw the point in that…
DAF95XF:
commonrail:
Scanner:
dar1976:
I’d rather drive a CF Manual than an auto anything.Makes reversing a lot easier with a manual box.
It’s not just me then! I’ve only been driving automatics since September and for the life of me I can’t get used to not feathering the clutch when reversing, it’s driving me bloody mad!
opticruise with a clutch…best of both worlds
Never saw the point in that…
If you must have satans gearbox then three pedal Scania is definately the best for close manoeuvering control.
NBG at junctions or pulling away from rest (seen paint dry faster), but then none of them are any use except for Volvo’s well proven version.
Now ill prob go against most of th adivce here but when i first started i was told to get the doors of the trailer in the direction you want to go in when you drive in at first and then half the work is already done… That way if you have the room turnso the backdoors are facing the door on the dock n reverse her in making slight adjustmints. This wont work all the time cause space can be limited but i found it did help me out a great deal hope this helps.
have a look on youtube. There’s one by a USA driving school which is good
I’ve had mine 13 years and I’ll still balls up a reverse every so often. Best advice is if you balls up a reverse it’s easier to start over rather than try a save it.
The first time you reverse it perfectly into a impossible space, you notice that not a single soul was around to see it. With your new found confidence in your abilities you will blast into the yard, get the biggest easiest bay to back on to, and you’ll be back to 100 shunts to get it in while 50 other drivers stand and laugh. First time I had to reverse an artic in anger, delivering to some crummy hotel down in Christchurch that was normally done on rigid, I struggled for 20 minutes to get it in, only to be told as I climbed out the cab that artics don’t fit in there.
Its amazing what one can accomplish when one doesn’t know what one can’t do. 
Reversing a trailer is something that is simple to some but complicated to others.As has been mentioned the type of trailer makes a difference although with artics the basics are the same just that they react differently.
People can be taught to do the reversing manouvre for their driving test but after that is when they start to learn and the more practice they get usually the better they get.
A lot of good advice has already been given but taking your time and not being embarassed to get out and have a look are two of the best.
During nearly 20 years of training I trained all types to reverse including police dentists footballers binmen and 17 year old kids.
One of the best ever was an RAF 18 year old female who had only had a car licence for 2 months.She drove an artic like she had been driving for years.One of the worst was a 60 year old farmer who had been driving for years(illegally)and had 3 tests and to this day still has no licence.
If you’ve got a lift axle on the unit, lift it, then you will find it reacts quicker/easier than with all 3 axles on the floor.
Take your time reversing, take in your surroundings and concentrate on what you’re doing , use mirrors& or head out the window. . A banksman can either be a help or a hindrance depending on how good they are!, & what our for the helpful person who says they’ll watch / help you reverse , they may not be looking properly & you may ’ clip’ summat if they haven’t noticed, so get out & look yourself if you need to!
Take no notice of anyone else who might be watching or sniggering, everyone has had to learn at some time. Your reversing will get better in time, and don’t forget most everyone will have a bad day at some point 
The better you line it up before you start the reverse the easier it will go in.
Take it slow & steady, gentle turns on the wheel.
Ignore the morons around you who just want to stand there and take the p**s.
Don’t over-think it (the more you think about it or plan it, the more it will go wrong).
The heavier the load, the harder it will be to get it to turn, esp. if it’s a double deck with small wheels as as you reverse you tend to push the wheels rather than turn them.
Tomorrow you’ll do it perfectly, the next day you’ll make a right mess of it - so what, don’t worry about.
Everybody gets it wrong now & again (no matter what some may say!!).
Don’t rely solely on your mirrors, get you head out the window (even in the rain), and if need be, get out the cab and have a look.
An empty yard is harder to reverse in, as you have no reference points, going in between two other trailers is actually easier to do (in my opinion).
There is no right or wrong - you will find your way in time (that may be in 1 week or 10 years)
Get one of those DCPC cards ! it apparently turns you into a pro driver…thats according to a few on here.
I have good days and bad days sometimes a world beater sometimes an egg beater,if it goes wrong pull off and reposition,and take your time
Herongate:
‘…reference points…’
A side issue perhaps, but since bay line markers are arguably the ultimate, useful reference I often (and discreetly) raise a whinge or ‘safety concern’ (H&S, yawn, sorry) when they’re worn & illegible, etc.
We could be helping newbies every time we see them failing 
They’re there for the reason that - provided that adjacent trailers are ‘square’ - they’re a bullet-proof reference, and one can bet one’s ■■■■ that although they might not be needed on a fine, sunny day - but they certainly add mega-value on a snotty, wet winter’s night.
I suppose that a yard should fail a safety review if lines are knacked - but that’s a different story.
Not that I ever need them, of course 
If you’re asked to go to Dunelm at Leicester then throw a sickie !!
Happy Keith:
Herongate:
‘…reference points…’A side issue perhaps, but since bay line markers are arguably the ultimate, useful reference I often (and discreetly) raise a whinge or ‘safety concern’ (H&S, yawn, sorry) when they’re worn & illegible, etc.
We could be helping newbies every time we see them failing
They’re there for the reason that - provided that adjacent trailers are ‘square’ - they’re a bullet-proof reference, and one can bet one’s ■■■■ that although they might not be needed on a fine, sunny day - but they certainly add mega-value on a snotty, wet winter’s night.
I suppose that a yard should fail a safety review if lines are knacked - but that’s a different story.
Not that I ever need them, of course
I reckon the white lines are ‘Great’ in the snow (especially when the RDC doesn’t even bother to clear/salt it !) & the bay’s down hill that’s when you need to use the ‘Force’ to straighten the trailer. (Or just sit there, spinning the tyres to the amusement of the Depot Staff ) lol.
shytalk:
Get one of those DCPC cards ! it apparently turns you into a pro driver…thats according to a few on here.
LOL