OK, sorry for the stupid question but after two weeks of my Class 1 career I’m slowly getting better at going backwards and can confidently reverse into most trailer parking spaces as long as the width is relatively generous.
However, I seem to struggle with the fine adjustments when I have to reverse more precisely onto a bay. I can get it close but then seem to struggle when I need to nudge the trailer 12 inches to the left / right. I can’t work out whether to pull forward with left hand down or right hand down and generally find myself reversing back exactly where I started. I get there eventually but it feels like I’ve got there more by luck than judgment.
So for the experts… can you explain to me your process for going from (1) to (2) on the attached diagram! Once I get the correct process into my head I can practice and I’m sure it will come quickly…
Drive forward, steer left to move over a few inches, then steer right to bring trailer back in line, then left again to bring cab back in-line with trailer. Use all the possible space plus nice and slow
I used a model/toy truck while at home to get my head around what happens to make little movements when learning.
What DAF_Daily says makes perfect sense. When I tried it that way I think I probably didn’t move forward far enough with my left hand down and ended up back where I started. I think I have a subconscious resistance to using all the space I have available.
But the other night I asked the shunter for some help and he said I should steer forward and right to put the rear wheels of the trailer at the right angle to move across the bay when reversing again.
Have been playing with toy truck this evening and can see how both ways could work.
It will b good in next 2 weeks time (reversing). Steer left then right pull slowly forward and then left again then reverse it slowly back. Its took me 2 months time to get these small things in my head when i started class 1 driving in 2020. Remember always reverse slowly.
