Modernized Basic Skill #3 Forward Offset Tracking

[@acoughlin30]

Omg thank you so much for this video. I take my test in a week and the forward offset has been kicking my tail hitting the left forward cone every time. Middle of the trailer. Thank you so much!!

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

Glad it helped!

[@LoisLaneMiami]

Why was it so difficult to find a video of this? This is the hardest part of the entire maneuver …. But I wish we could see the front of the trailer and when it turns back to the right so that it’s lined up straight Thank you ❤

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

This is the new Modernized test and not all states are testing this way because it's my understanding they have time to implement this new test. I understand your concern, but with that being said I try to show the angles that the driver looks at while in the drivers seat and using the mirrors. Pulling forward is easier than the backing portion, that's why I shot at that angle. Best of luck to you!

[@LoisLaneMiami]

Thank you! The forward was harder for me than backing - every time I pulled forward I ended up slanted rather than parallel but I could always fix it when backing for some reason. However this video definitely helped.

[@Orlandoloc83]

Video was useless All I got was a great a driver making all the right moves now if he was inside then this video would of been perfect

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

@@Orlandoloc83 Please watch the video again. The video show the steps as you do the maneuver from outside the vehicle. If the video was shot inside the truck I would have to film the mirrors and you wouldn't get the biggest visual experience. When the left side of the center of trailer passes the last solid line cone that's a turning point to the left. When the right side trailer tires start to cross the checked line it's a turning point to the right. Remember if you are having a difficult time gauging where things are you can get out and look, especially while you're learning. Keep an open mind and try it again. Thank you!

[@Orlandoloc83]

@@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest thank u

[@Jose11martinez]

I’m having a hard time but with a 28 ft trailer I’m able to get it out the box but I seem to not hit the line and my trailer ends up all crooked

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

With a couple of adjustments you should be able to correct this. Watch the last cone and when the center of the left side of the trailer passes that turn to the left.

[@ijustwannabeadrummer]

How much is a difference between the 48’ and 53’ trailers. I was training on a 48’ and always got practicing at my schools range but tested on a 53’ and failed. I can’t tell if this is a 48’ or a 53’ in this video. My rear driver side tandems hit that first exit cone on the left. I used a visual cue dash we had or just turned out when i got close to the two forward cones. An experienced truck driver and this video say to turn when that cone is on the halfway mark so thats what Im going to do!

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

It’s a 48’, as you pull forward don’t drift to the left, stay centered and pull forward as far as you can, then very slow speed but a hard turn to the left and bring it back just before the right side trailer tire/ forward axle approaches the zipper line. That should pull the trailer axles on the right side between the exercise box and the small line. Remember, you can also get out and look. You have two opportunities to do this so use them wisely.

[@lonesomecricket7721]

How about a 28 ft? Will it still be center of trailer for the turn?

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

The concept is the same but there are differences with trailer and truck lengths and the turning radius of your particular vehicle.

[@Fe4rLe5sxSk1LLz]

Are you guys able to provide steps that the driver can do in a slower pace to show how to get out of the box? I'm currently in CDL school :D

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

The 2x speed was only when the truck was going forward, nothing to really see at that point. Then the turning points were illustrated. The video is an introduction to the new Modernized CDL test and we did gave a couple of reference points as to when to turn. It takes practice because as you drive class A truck you need a sense of where your trailer is at all times as to avoid hitting obstacles. This exercise shows the examiner that you do have the basic knowledge for this. I think practicing this many time will help improve your ability to pull out and track correctly so the trailer tires hit the mark.

[@Nard91-w8j]

Mike, I couldn’t help but notice that you mentioned how pulling forward, in this case the forward offset, is easier than the backing portion. I have a question: after I make my first left going out of the box for the forward offset, what do I use as a reference point in my left mirror to know when I can then go right and get right between the line and the cone?

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

Turn back to the right just before the trailer crosses over the exit line. Perhaps the trailer will be a couple of feet prior to crossing the line.

[@Nard91-w8j]

When you say before it crosses over the next line, are you referring to the right side of my trailer?

[@Nard91-w8j]

Better yet, disregard that question; I have a better one: when it’s time to go right, do I give it a hard-right or just give it some right?

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

@@Nard91-w8j I would turn pretty hard because you don't have much space until you come to the forward boundary line. That will get the rig straight

[@PREilluminati]

Mike appreciate the content! Question when you pull out of the box it’s a hard right then hold it and then a hard left when your 4th axle crosses the dotted line?

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

When you’re pulling out of the lane it’s a hard left. Do that at the point where the middle of the trailer passes the cone which marks the beginning of the exit point/painted dashes. Start to turn right as the right side of the trailer approaches the exit line and turn back to the left to get the trailer straight and through that area marked with a small painted line. That’s also a grade point in the exercise. I hope this helps, best of luck!

[@Twoonit]

@@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest i have a test tomorrow i hope i pass i failed before

[@theKobaltPossum]

I am in cdl school and i am struggling with this maneuver. After i’ve turned right, how do i know when to countersteer to straighten myself out? I’m really frustrated by it.

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

Watch your right side, when the trailer tires approach the checked line you want to steer back to your left to straighten it out. You need to do it a little in advance because it won’t react immediately.

[@Motti88]

Question is this maneuver best done slow…slow…slow ? I was told that it’s best done super slow . And actually I was told that on all maneuvers go very slow .

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

Yes, go slow. On the forward stop you can’t stop until you feel like the front of the truck is in the box. You can do it in the lowest gear.

[@ijustwannabeadrummer]

I got dinged for going too slow. The tester told me I was supposed to simulate going thru traffic so me being too slow was considered a stop to him. I was testing in a 10 speed. Next time I'm gonna go slow but keep it moving no wishy washy scared to move just keep a steady flow thru the offset.

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

What gear were you in? I'm not in total agreement with the statement you are in traffic. This maneuver is a test to see if you are aware of where the front of your truck is by looking out the windshield in any situation because you sit a lot higher than you're used too. That could be a parking lot, in traffic and a multitude of situations.

[@dez7957]

I’m always crooked instead of parallel anytips on what I’m doing wrong

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

The more you do this the better you’ll be. The front of the vehicle looks different than the back. It’s very long and it’s going to be a process of figuring out how to pull forward. Also get out and look so you see the difference between inside the vehicle and outside.

[@youngblacc4609]

Great video but im learning more in tha comment section

[@mikelogan99CDLClassAskillstest]

Although the videos are a pretty good example on how to do the exercise, I believe the comments are an extension of the videos and also a chance for more clarification. I try to give an answer or response to all comments. Thank you for your comment!