Push the front part of the trailer so that the whole trailer rotates around the rear tires and keeps it pointing towards this tire path. Pick out something noticeable on the ground that will serve as a Tire Target along this predetermined path. A good starting plan of action:ĭecide on an acceptable path for your trailer tires that will lead to their final resting position on the ground. Because, using one mirror more than the other will deceive you. Don’t let yourself have a favorite mirror. Question: How do I know when I’m at the front of the kingpin if the kingpin is never visible?Īnswer: You will see the exact same amount of trailer in BOTH mirrors. That will just take some repetitions and careful observation. It will take some practice to learn how long it takes the tractor to get from the side of the kingpin, to the front of the kingpin. This is where the element of timing comes into play. Most new drivers fail to get back in front of the kingpin soon enough. Successfully pointing the trailer involves pushing against the front part of the trailer to make it rotate around the back tandems. Tire position is achieved by pointing your trailer towards the precise path. Successful Backing is really about tire position. An acceptable path must be determined during your set up and diligently kept in focus. Another big reason new drivers struggle is that they don’t pay attention to the ground. ![]() The trailer behaves very much like a wheelbarrow.Īdditionally, you need to be more aware of the precise location of your rear trailer tires on the ground. I ask myself, “In which direction does my tractor need to push the front part of this trailer (the kingpin) in order to make it rotate around the back tandems and point where I need the back tires to roll?”īe more mindful of the front part of the trailer. In other words, what is the general direction that the tractor is pushing against the kingpin? You can see this in a broader sense as being aware of the front part of the trailer. You should strive to constantly be aware of the angle of offset between your tractor and the trailer. Kingpin pressure is another crucial awareness. They have a firmer grasp of some simple fundamental principles. The main difference between an experienced driver and a beginner is knowing exactly where to focus and when. Pressuring the kingpin between 1 and 89 degrees: There will be various combinations of both Lengthwise and Rotational movement.Ī common theme in learning to drive a truck is simply developing new awareness. This will cause damage to both units and should be avoided at all cost. If your tractor goes beyond the 90 degree point you will actually start pushing the trailer forward as you back up. Because of the properties inherent to the Offset Law you could jack knife very quickly. Be careful here! You should minimize your time at the side of the kingpin. The tractor is pushing against the side of the kingpin. Pressuring the kingpin at 90 degrees- No Lengthwise movement. The tractor will be pushing against the front part of the kingpin and traveling straight backwards. There is no offset and the tractor and trailer are perfectly inline with each other. Pressuring the kingpin at 0 degrees- Maximum Lengthwise movement. The fifth wheel holds the kingpin.Īny move your trailer makes is a direct result of how your tractor pushes against the kingpin. Other than a couple of airlines and an electrical cord, the only place the tractor contacts the trailer is at the fifth wheel. So, if you want to influence the back of the trailer you must first go through a “middle-man”. There is no direct connection between the steering wheel and the back of the trailer. The tractor and trailer are two separate units connected at the kingpin. They are consciously trying to move the front of the trailer. They tend to blame themselves instead of the faulty method.Īn experienced driver is never trying to move the back of the trailer directly when he or she turns the steering wheel. These failures cause frustration and rob new drivers of their confidence. Once the tractor and trailer become offset from one another this will no longer come close to working. This may appear to work when the tractor and trailer are nearly in line with each other. Opposite thinking is believing that you can make the back end of your trailer move to the left or right by simply turning the steering wheel in the opposite direction. ![]() One of the most crippling problems I encounter is “Opposite thinking”. Most new drivers over focus on the rear of the trailer and the steering wheel. By carefully observing student’s behavior and asking them questions about their thought processes, I have learned the causes of many struggles. Many students struggle with backing because of some basic misconceptions. How you perceive the tractor and trailer in your mind is critical to your success or failure.
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