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Message |
Bill 4104
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 205.188.116.13
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 8:40 am: | |
I feel I can back a trailer very good ,but when I get in a blind side situation I feel like Iam backing blind. Are there certain mirrors that help or some other tricks? I know there are some pro drivers out there, and would like your input. Thanks Bill |
Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member
Username: Bob_greenwood
Post Number: 92
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 63.233.40.238
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 9:47 am: | |
I have been in a LOT of blind side backing situations,here is my trick, if it's on a one way street,I come up the wrong way & DO NOT blindside,I know that sounds radical,but,WHY back up,when you can't see what you are backing in to.( flashers ON )
(Message edited by bob greenwood on August 16, 2006) |
Steve N. (N4rsn)
Registered Member
Username: N4rsn
Post Number: 93
Registered: 2-2005
Posted From: 71.157.170.90
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 10:24 am: | |
I have to agree with Bob. I will never blind side back, if there is ANY way to prevent it. Go up a 1 way street the wrong way, (safely, and slowly), anything. to get on the right side.
There are times you can not prevent backing blind. Go to the back and look. Than back that distance, than go to the back and look again. It may take you a while, but, everyone will wait, or get out and help.
DON"T EVER BACK WHERE YOU CAN"T SEE. You are still responsiable.
Just the way I do it.
Steve |
RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member
Username: Rjlong
Post Number: 996
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 71.195.113.23
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 11:41 pm: | |
One of the requirements for skoolie drivers here in CA when taking their driving exam at the CHP is the ability to parallel park their bus on the curb side.
You read that right - parallel park their bus on the curb (blind) side.
Not only do they have to do that, but they're given only an additional 8 feet of clearance to do so. In other words, they get 48' for a 40 footer. If they can't do it, they fail their exam and have to come back and try it again - with their wallet's lighter by another fifty-eight bucks.
Can it be done? Sure, with some practice and learning to adjust and utilize the mirrors correctly, plus knowing your vehicle.
Steve is correct, too. When in doubt - get out and look.
FWIW & HTH. . . |
John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member
Username: John_mc9
Post Number: 62
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 70.202.181.227
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 - 11:43 pm: | |
I dunno.... I guess I'm missin' sumptin?
With a trailer, there's a chance you'll be "blind backing",
since the trailer may be out of your mirror's range... It's
a real pain; BTDT...
With a bus, where's the "blind backing"? Your mirrors are
adjusted to properly see the rear corners of the bus, and the
bus can't bend (like a tractor-trailer)... So you can always
see the bus's rear corner under any circumstance..
And Steve's note:
"Go to the back and look. Than back that distance, than
go to the back and look again. " Is well worth the attention.
In dim light conditions, we'd leave the 4-ways or turn signal
on; It added extra illumination to the rear of the bus at night..
But "blind"? Never. |
John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member
Username: John_mc9
Post Number: 63
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 70.202.181.227
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 12:00 am: | |
RJ -
Absolutely! The NY test included parallel parking within 6"
from the curb (hitting it was a failure). It was "real time" and
in city traffic, with only enough parking spaces to fit into.
The notion always was: if you can't back a bus, you can't
drive a bus.
The best thing for any bus fool to do, is take the time to
drive the frikkin thing. Put yourself through the paces. Back
it up for long distances. Park it where you think it's impossible.
Forget being a part-time driver, and try to emulate the professionals.
Imagine 50+ passengers watching over your shoulder, as you
attempt to park the bus.... |
Bill Himebauch (Erthwrks89)
Registered Member
Username: Erthwrks89
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2005
Posted From: 152.163.100.138
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 7:26 am: | |
How do the over the road drivers do it??I know they try not to get in that situation but it happens. Bill 41040-4032 |
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member
Username: Jackconrad
Post Number: 476
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 207.30.189.80
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 8:48 am: | |
A policy that the Fire Department used that worked quite well was to always use a "back-up person". The apparatus was not moved until the driver could see the back-up person in one of his mirrors. If he lost sight of the back-up person, he was to stop until he could see the back-up person. If you use a back-up person, try to use your significant other so you both understand the signals or use 2 way radios. Watch and pay attention to only 1 designated back-up person (nothing worse than several people all wanting to help and using or giving different signals to the driver). YMMV Jack |
David Dulmage (Daved)
Registered Member
Username: Daved
Post Number: 130
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 142.46.199.30
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 9:41 am: | |
I always do a circle check before backing up, but ususally also use a back-up person, not so much because of any difficulty backing up but mainly to ensure that someone doesn't get in the path of the bus without me being aware of it.
FWIW
DaveD |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member
Username: Buswarrior
Post Number: 875
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 70.48.193.153
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 17, 2006 - 4:45 pm: | |
To the original question about the mirrors,
A good sized convex mirror, at least 5", the big 8" ones the trucks use are better for our aging eyes, as well as your flat mirror, is a good install on both sides of the bus.
Pretty much impossible to back around anything with only a flat mirror on the curb side. You can't see enough to get your bearings or to get yourself curving gracefully. Same with a small convex, you can't see the path you want to take in the tiny reflection.
As other posters have said: only way to get good at this is to do it!
Get a buddy to go out with you, if you don't want to embarress yourself in front of your significant other.
Whatever you do, have a relaxed spotter.
I might suggest the spotters only job is to tell you to stop, NOT guide you. You do the steering, the spotter's job is catch you if you are going to make an expensive mistake. All those wild arm waving directions just get misinterpretted anyway...
And the spotter sometimes is better off standing outside, off to the side, visible out the front, where they can see the back better than you, where they can get your attention, if you aren't radio equipped. How does the spotter signal for you to stop, if you are looking in the other mirror at that moment?
Sometimes conventional actions aren't the best ones?
Or, consider hiring RJ or me, "The Busnut Driver Trainers" to fly out and give you some excellent professional instruction in a personal setting! Confidentiality guarenteed! Bondable, and we bathe and shave too.
You won't need a spotter when we're done with you.
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member
Username: Bill_gerrie
Post Number: 33
Registered: 3-2006
Posted From: 72.136.170.153
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 7:07 am: | |
Buswarrior. I thought that you DO NOT BACK UP without a responsible person to guide you. Company policy must have changed since I was there. I know we own our own buses so things are different with us but a backup camera (even one from Sams for $80) works well for the odd time you have to reverse. Just had to get a dig in. Bill |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member
Username: Buswarrior
Post Number: 879
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 65.92.124.37
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 8:21 pm: | |
Yup, Bill, policy still the same, but I'm doing my own bit to fix the self-fulfilling prophecy:
If you don't practice reversing, they'll hit something for sure if they try by themselves.
One or two at a time, they learn how to reverse by themselves. What they choose to do with that skill has nothing to do with little 'ole me....
happy coaching!
buswarrior |
Mike (Busone)
Registered Member
Username: Busone
Post Number: 326
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 71.33.24.110
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 12:05 am: | |
Backing is something I had to learn to do with my skoolie. I have to back it into my drive unless I want to back out onto the busy street or turn around in the pasture. I would rather just back in than open three gates and deal with a bunch of cows.
I have to be at least 1' from the side of the pavement on the pass side or I cannot get out the door because of a big juniper. If I am over more than about 2' on the driver side my wife cannot get the car in between the bus and mailbox.
The first couple of times I had to pull forward and try again but I got the hang of it. I did hold up traffic for a few seconds. I did not want to rush and hit anything. If I was towing a trailer I would probably be turning around in the pasture. |
Roderick W. Chandler (Rod)
Registered Member
Username: Rod
Post Number: 18
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 66.55.230.104
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 8:49 am: | |
In the Army we backed without rear view mirrors on our armored personnel carriers. We were required to always have a ground guide. Usually one in front and one in back. |
Bob greenwood (Bob_greenwood)
Registered Member
Username: Bob_greenwood
Post Number: 99
Registered: 7-2006
Posted From: 65.150.44.140
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 9:55 am: | |
how realistic,something you can use in combat |
Dale Waller (Happycampersrus)
Registered Member
Username: Happycampersrus
Post Number: 226
Registered: 7-2005
Posted From: 68.65.122.187
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 11:34 am: | |
Bob, he said army.
Just pulling your chain Rod.
Semper Fi |
Roderick W. Chandler (Rod)
Registered Member
Username: Rod
Post Number: 20
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 66.55.230.104
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 1:21 pm: | |
In combat the Army only goes forward. No need for ground guide at that point. |
Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member
Username: Buswarrior
Post Number: 880
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 67.68.35.30
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 12:11 am: | |
You've seen that Gumball Rally movie, the Cannonball rip-off
"What is behind, does not matter"
as the "hired gun" rips the rear view mirror off the fancy convertible sports car at the beginning of the race.
Marines?
I work with one. We have to shout at him so he can hear us.
Seriously, he's a great fellow, met and married a lovely Canadian girl long ago and immigrated/emmigrated.
Went to 'Nam in '68 for his purple heart.
happy coaching!
buswarrior |