How to Back Up a Tractor Trailer

Driving a tractor trailer is a solitary life, and it takes attention to detail to perform all the little jobs that make up driving as a career. You must know how to keep a log, shift a transmission, watch and understand a dashboard full of lights and dials, and of course, maneuver the rig. Any professional driver will tell you that backing up a rig is the most challenging part of the drive.

Instructions

1. Drive by your target area with your final destination on the driver's side. Go around the block and plan your backing operation, if necessary.

2. Drive back to your target area, again keeping it on the driver's side and about 1 to 3 trailer lengths away. Stop when the rear of the trailer is even with the target, put the truck in neutral, and set the air brake. Get out and scan the area for vehicles, pedestrians or other obstructions.

3. Disengage the brakes and turn the steering wheel away from the target. Check your mirrors again for obstructions, shift the transmission into reverse, and let out the clutch.

4. Watch the back end of the trailer with your driver's-side mirror, with an occasional glance at the opposite mirror to check for obstructions. Turn the steering wheel in the direction opposite to the one you want the trailer to go.

5. Pull forward to straighten out the trailer if you get too close to an obstruction on either side.

Tips & Warnings

• Backing a tractor trailer takes practice. Be patient and try at it until you feel comfortable with your equipment.

• It is always best to have two spotters when you back up a rig. One spotter just to the side at the back of the trailer can give signals to the other spotter in front of your truck, who can signal you. If you can have only one spotter, he should stand close enough to the back of the truck so that you can see him from your driver's-side mirror, but far enough away to be safe.