Hi people as above I am ok going forward but when I need to reverse I seem to overshoot it ( ie I keep the lock on to long)
I know this comes with time but I really want to start getting it right.
I have been taking up all the room avaliable to me and I still cannot just get it right.
I seem to take multiple shunts but still put it in the same place I started with.
Sorry I should mention its in an artic.
Any advice please as I am starting to think maybe its me(well I know its me) does it just fall into place?
Thanks in advance.
As you said: practice, practise, practise.
Lock on too long? Take it off when youre absolutely convinced its too early, and see what happens. A little experimentation is not gonna be fatal. This ain`t brain surgery with a live patient. Keep at it mate.
Just keep trying and practice.Try taking the lock off earlier and you will see the the trailer move diffrent.But one day it will click and then you will think why did i worry so much we have all been there.
[emoji1312][emoji1312] as they say! Im lucky that I have a yard and a boss who lets me practice my reversing at weekends! I’ve done a couple of on the road drives since I passed my test in July. Just keep at it coz it will come!
The best drivers still make mistakes and need to take a shunt to get it right!
Take it slow. Really slow and don’t oversteer. I was always told don’t turn the wheel until it’s moving, then you can get a feel for how much to put in.
Once you put a bit in, let it commit to where it’s going rather than putting more on or going the other way.
I had this problem too, it sorted itself by slowing down and thinking about the steering inputs I was putting on.
Evil8Beezle:
And stop marking yourself on how many shunts you need, it doesn’t matter a jot in the end.
You’ll get marked by your boss on damage, nothing else!
Exactly, afaik there’s never been a case of a driver being called in front of the boss for “taking too many shunts at a delivery point” but there’s been 100’s, possibly 1000’s shuffling their feet in front of the boss trying to explain away a scrape or a ding
Dont worry, enough long term blokes stuff it up getting onto bays. take your time, slow it all down and as others have said, dont over compensate with the steering lock.
Some bays at Rdc,s and warehouses have a camber or slope in the ground so it messes up the reverse to the bay door or ramp .
Experienced drivers can mess it up.
The day you reverse in one go, is the day when nobody was there to see it .
With a blind reverse or in a tight place such as a MSA, it is only the foreign drivers that get out of their cab to help out to watch you in.
The English will just there gawping while rolling their eyes, shaking their head .
Then the sarcastic clap and laugh while the lad is struggling .
You would be better off asking a real person on site to give you guidance than asking for tips on here, being guided by some one outside the cab is far more educational, just don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask someone.
If you have been taken on by a firm with little or no experience, I doubt that they would say no to getting one of their old hands to give you 1 to 1 instruction in the yard.
This video is quite educational. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EkoMib4q4Y
As other have said start straightening up earlier.
Don’t put to much lock on in the first place if you can avoid it.
Don’t be worried about taking a shunt.
If you take a shunt, don’t be afraid to use all the space available.
weeto:
You would be better off asking a real person on site to give you guidance than asking for tips on here, being guided by some one outside the cab is far more educational, just don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask someone.
If you have been taken on by a firm with little or no experience, I doubt that they would say no to getting one of their old hands to give you 1 to 1 instruction in the yard.
+1
Also from reading the OP’s post on Direction Worries, I think he works for a company who are willing to help and has an understanding boss.
I was the same when I started. The best advise I can give you is take the lock of sooner than you think you should it goes against your instincts but I found it worked. Just give it a try you will definitely pick up in time I genuinely think I was 100% the worst in the world at reversing an artic when I started.
I am still crap at reversing, when I balls it up then get it right I either smile at all those watching or if I get out I take a bow, usually gets a laugh, chill and be have a grin at yourself
We don’t have to back onto bays thankfully as I have a ramp but we go to unbelievably tight yards and places but I find reversing in those places easier than a big rdc place
Open your window, take your seat belt off, lower the radio and look back out of the window at your wheels was the best advice I was given.
Reversing beepers can be switched off and it’s not legal or H&S requirement to use your hazard lights. You’ll find things a lot less stressful going backwards without all that lot going off.
If you’re in the habit of sticking your head out and backing up in that fashion,(which is fine) release the steering wheel lock and give yourself more room to move (especially if you’re a Billy Bunter type).
Over steering is probably the most common fault when learning to reverse artics. If you put less lock on when you start reversing it makes it easier to correct, either by putting more on or taking a bit off. Watch where the trailer wheels are going and try to imagine the line or arc needed to get it on the bay . Also look at the surface in front of the bay and see if there is a line worn in the surface by the tyres of previous trucks, it might give you a guide.
As others have said experiment a little. Watch what other drivers do And you may realise your not so bad after all
The best drivers still make mistakes and need to take a shunt to get it right!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That is an outrageous slur, I never have to take a shunt when blindsiding onto a bay. There just never happens to be anybody around…
Like when I did my first blindside at morning flake in Crewe, I smashed it first go, I also smashed the smoking shelter, car headlamp and most of the canteen
Take your time it will come to you eventually.
After 45 years of driving, until I retired, I still had the odd day where I made an “novice” look good,and if the truth is know many other “old hands” have but dont admit it. The worst time for the "fluffing it" is when your in your own yard and theres just about all the other drivers you work with watching and taking the proverbial.
Thankyou all I will take all your advice and put it to practice.
My boss said if I take a few shunts and start getting annoyed just get out and walk around it and see where I am positioned.
Thanks again everyone I really appreciate the help you are and keep giving
