Artic Test Soon

Westwood

Hows it going. I have my artic test coming up in a weeks time In Leterkenny Donegal, Ive done about 8 hours so far and another 4 hours to go till test. (its all I can afford) Seemingly ive to reverse it both sides around the corner, and finding it a bit of a challenge still. I have to think about the wheel before I manoeuvre it, need it to get it second nature each time.......
Just wondering if anyone has done it recently and has any tips.

Grimpeur

It's not an easy manoeuvre to do and not easy to explain either.
This is what I did and was lucky enough to get it.

Check your mirrors and blind spot before beginning the reverse.
Half a turn of the steering wheel in the opposite direction to the way you need the trailer to go.
Move slowly but try to keep moving.
Make sure your steering wheels don't touch the kerb.
Watch trailer wheels in your kerbside mirror as they round the corner.
When you begin to see the suzies in your other mirror, straighten your steering wheels.
When the trailer is beginning to come parallel to the kerb, bring the tractor unit in line with the trailer.
If you've over or under cooked it slightly, pull forward and line up properly.
Reverse straight back.
You are allowed at least one pull forward but I don't know how many you'll get away with.
Try to keep about the width of the average gutter between truck and kerb.
You may not have to reverse from both sides, I didn't.

Best of luck on the day.

donkey balls

take your seat belt off lean out the window with one hand on the steering wheel look at the wheels of the trailer(remember a tamdem axel trailer turns a lot quicker than a tri axel trailer),Turn the stearing wheel slowly both ways while reversing and make sure that your front wheel does not mount the kerb,As for reversing on your blind side make sure the wide angle mirror is set to the correct way and watch the kerb side mirror for the steering wheel on the truck not to mount the kerb and give your self plenty of room.
oh and if the cab has a window at the back pull back the curtain this will also help you gauge the turn on the blind side.

Wishbone Ash

As the others have said go easy on the steering wheel. Remember "a little on - a little off". If you turn too much you'll end up having to pull forward again but if you turn very gradually you can fix any potential mistakes without having to stop and move forward. When reversing, once the rearmost wheel clears the kerb, the others axles will follow.

Unless it's changed since I did it in Finglas, you won't be asked to do both sides. The off side is easier as you have better visability. The nearside is a bit trickier. Remember the reversing manoeuvre is as much about you observation of other vehicles/pedestrians/hazards as it is about you ability to physically perform the manoeuvre.

Good luck.

PS- where in Letterkenny do they do the artic reversing?

Faith+1

donkey balls wrote: »

take your seat belt off lean out the window with one hand on the steering wheel look at the wheels of the trailer(remember a tamdem axel trailer turns a lot quicker than a tri axel trailer),Turn the stearing wheel slowly both ways while reversing and make sure that your front wheel does not mount the kerb,As for reversing on your blind side make sure the wide angle mirror is set to the correct way and watch the kerb side mirror for the steering wheel on the truck not to mount the kerb and give your self plenty of room.
oh and if the cab has a window at the back pull back the curtain this will also help you gauge the turn on the blind side.

Are you allowed take the seatbelt off?

donkey balls

I presume your allowed faith even if you do a driving assesment with most companies you can take the belt off while reversing and looking out the window and those assesments are like a driving test.

Wishbone Ash

Faith+1 wrote: »

Are you allowed take the seatbelt off?

Yes - the wearing of a seatbelt is not mandatory when the vehicle is reversing.

Faith+1

Well they say you learn something new everyday and I just have! I don't intend on going for my Artic any time soon though, Couldn't be arsed!
Cheers Donkey&Wishbone.

Westwood

Thanks for the replies lads, Ive been sticking the head out the window without the seat belt watching the back wheels, Never knew I could pull forward if I overcooked it thanks.

My first two lessons consisted of me trying out the below sequence of tips which wasn't of any help really, the kerbs in OZ are a lot bigger and I wasn't listening to the instructor much, thought I knew it all. :rolleyes:

Btw This is the only video on the net for reversing around a kerb.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMlY_68j-7w

The other tip of when the suzies come into view will be tried out on todays lesson, hopefully it wont throw me off like the above video did....

I have a rear window in the cab and the mirrors are set good. Its a tri axel trailer and its not likely the cab mounting the kerb when swinging as the area is big enough thankfully.

The reversing is done in Dry arch business park letterkenny beside the NCT test centre. Pretty busy alright so I need to keep the eyes peeled.

Faith+1

^^^^^

That guy makes it looks so easy!