How to Safely Back Up Your Commercial Truck

Commercial trucks aren't known for being small vehicles. Their large size allows them to carry a large amount of cargo in one trip, but it also can make backing up a challenge. Use the below tips to make reversing into a loading bay, driveway, parking lot, or garage easier and safer.

Follow the G.O.A.L. Approach

The "Get Out and Look" strategy is a great one for commercial truck drivers to implement.

With this process, you will park the commercial truck a bit away from where you will be reversing it. Then, get out of the vehicle and walk around the area you plan to go. Look for slopes, uneven terrain, and other obstacles that can make reversing your commercial truck more of a challenge. Make your action plan, get back into the cab, and slowly back up into the spot.

See If Parked Vehicles or Equipment Can Be Moved

There may be parked equipment or vehicles blocking your way or making things much harder for you. In either case, it's fair to request that they be relocated. Besides, their owner will much rather have the mild inconvenience of moving than have to deal with damage caused by a commercial truck!

Know When It's Not Feasible

In some situations, there won't be a realistic way to get your commercial truck reversed into that spot. When that happens, use a backup plan. Find a safe space to park your commercial truck, then utilize the help of forklifts or hand trucks to load/unload the cargo.

Are you in the market for a commercial truck? Check out the selection at Empire Truck Sales. We proudly serve those throughout Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.