Concerned over backing skills ( or lack of )

Go Johnny Go, You can do it, Yes you can, You can do it! If you can't do it no one can!

Ok Now that the cheer leaders have left the room, if you are going to Roehl to go out with a trainer then you will be fine, Now I'm not sure what training you will need or what skills you will need for the PA DOT to give you your license? But this may be where you have problems, I don't know if you can take a permit to Roehl and then test out from there for your CDL? I guess you will have to figure it out.
Backing take a lot of time and practice, No one is going to hit their mark every time they line up to back into a dock, but the thing is we learn what we need to be doing and we learn that the set up is the most important thing to back into a spot, Oh sure there are super truckers out there that have been driving the same truck for years and they can hit it pretty good, they can do any type of an alley or anything else you want them to but for the most part the main thing is to practice. You will only get better by practicing. Good Luck You will get it down after a while.

 

get yourself a model tractor and trailer. Play with it until you understand that you are only pushing the trailer into a slot. Once you understand the follow up in your backing, all you have to remember is to turn your steering wheel the opposite direction than what you want your trailer to go in the begineing. It just takes understand the mechanics of the process of backing and practice. Remember, after 30 years, I usually hit the hole the first try but still had days that I couldn't hit a barn. Keep at it. You will be alright. We all started somewhere.

 

I was probably the worst backer in CDL school. Now my backing is superb. I had a good trainer and spent a lot of time reading about backing here and that's helped a LOT. There's plenty of advice/threads about backing, do a search and don't sweat it. It's an acquired skill, nobody's born with it.

 

We all were the same way when we started.

 

indeed, backing will come with time dont worry

 

Remember the " little engine that could" just keep chuggin

 

The DMV will fail you if you cannot back and have to retake the next testing day.Can't answer about Roehl,but I do know some companies won't make you take the backing part of the test until your training is over.

 

I've said this a million times. Backing comes with time. It's illogical. Turn left to go right. It took me a year to get comfortable with backing. Nobody gets it right away. It's all about your set up and tuning out distractions. And don't think we don't have our off days. Some days you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn and you've been doing it for 20 years. Same dock too. Don't get too excited. Be careful. Take your time. And don't listen to those who give you hell about taking too long. You'll get there

 

I hear ya, I found myself at times turning my steering wheel the wrong way while backing up bobtail. LOL It's all habbits.