Setting up for straight line back

Use a reference point that's across from the spot you're backing to.

 

Keep practicing, it's definitely not as hard as you're makin it.
After understanding how the trailer moves when the steering wheel is turned either way, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

This is excellent advice finfn that no one told me when I was learning.
I learned on my own too that successful backing is 95 percent setup. If you set it up right putting it in the hole is the easy part.

 

I found when in school other students that "snaked" when backing were turning the wheel way too much.
Keep an eye on both mirrors so you can pick up if the trailer is moving out of line and only turn the wheel a little to bring it back in line.

So you know I have been driving cars/vans/tow trucks with all different size/type trailers when I started driving so backing a T/T came easy to me in school, waiting to see how it goes out in the real world
Dave ----

 

Pull forward so that your trailer is following the truck exactly straight. Now stop & look at how your trailer looks in your mirrors, pick a couple of reference points to know what it should look like when straight.

Now, as you're backing watch your mirrors and recall your reference points. Make small adjustments as you're slowly backing to correct your course as needed. You can always pull back forward exactly straight again to get yourself straightened out if you get in too much of a hurry & get crooked.

Simple.

 

Drive the trailer. Put the tandems where they will end up dead in front of the hole when the turn is complete and the truck and trailer are aligned straight.

I don't think there's any "formula" for that, but you should get a feel for it with practice.

Make a "hard" 90 when you're "so far" past the hole and then straighten out. If the trailer ends up beyond the hole, you went too far that time. Adjust, take your time.

Watch others, and what goes on in your mirrors, you'll get the hang of it.

 

by setting up for a straight line back i am assuming you are approaching where you need to straight line back from a 90* angle?

because ideally to set up for a straight line back you want to be in a straight line with where you want to back into and back it straight up in a straight line.

if you are approaching your straight line back from a right angle drive past where you want to back into when your trailer get about half way past or maybe even a bit past center of where you want to back into cut the wheel hard. watch your trailer tandems and the arch of your turn and when your trailer tandems are nearing being lined up to your back start cutting the wheel back the other way and you should end up lined up with your back in a straight line truck and trailer straight to each other and a straight shot back in. then after that its just small movements don't over correct it drive the trailer in and follow it with the truck.

 

I'll assume I've entered a receivers lot and I spot my dock with plenty of room, since we're practicing a straight back...It really doesn't matter which side you approach from at a 90 degree angle but in this example, we'll assume the dock is on my right...When you get to and are centered on your dock, look to the left at what is straight out there and as soon as YOU clear the far edge of your dock, cut it hard left and aim at what you just looked at...

Keep looking in your mirrors and your dock should come into view and pretty close to lined up...Each truck turns a little differently based on wheelbase so it'll vary a little but that will get you very close so if practicing on same truck, you'll figure out exact time to start that turn, it may be a little sooner or later...

Once you do that 'slowly' a few times, you'll get in the habit of glancing out the opposite side for a point of reference and do it without slowing so much...Again, if enough room to do a straight back, this applies to setting up from either side, there is no difference...

If not straight you want to approach your dock with it on your left, unless in a day cab, than whip it all over and show off!...Hopefully that's worth more than you paid for it, good luck!

 

'Aim high' (as much as you can) when you're looking out the mirrors; you'll see smaller changes that way.

Keep your hands on the bottom of the wheel; that way, the trailer will turn in the direction of your hands and you will tend to make smaller changes.

Make small corrections and let the trailer move. Anticipate and lead the change.

Finally, practice, practice, practice.