Help me understand the 90 degree alley dock

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by DedicatedDriver, Sep 13, 2012.

  1. RALPHMANBEARPONY

    RALPHMANBEARPONY Light Load Member

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    May 25, 2012
    CLEVELAND GA.
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    A guy at Schneider gave me the best advice I ever got backing.
    He was a yard driver.He told me to drive the trailer,and follow your
    drivers side back wheels.Of course your gonna want to check cab
    for clearance in real life scenarios,but for your test,this will get the
    job done.
    Take the "bannana" set up,then drive the back tires looking
    out window,once you get the nose in,mirror it the rest of the way.
    Use your pull ups,and get out.And like others said,don't over analyze
    it.You'll be doing it eventually without even thinking about it.
    Drive those 2 back tires :biggrin_25519:
     
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  3. Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

    3,367
    5,644
    Jul 6, 2008
    Liberty, Missouri
    0
    I didn't read everyone's post so I could be repeating this. In the 90 degree move once you start look in your mirror, the second you see your landing gear, turn back the other way. Your trailer only moves back until you have reached that point.

    So, to review, set up at a 90 degree to your spot. With the back wheels 28 inches to 36 inches from where you what to go into the dock. Then turn the wheel fully to the clockwise direction. As soon as the land gear appears in your mirror turn counter clockwise until you are directly in front of your trailer. Continue backing until your bumper is between the two lines that are to be the dock or until your bumper kisses the dock like you would your poor Irish Mother.

    If this posting has been a help to you remember to post a thanks. Also money is being collected for a charity. Send it to me.
     
  4. DedicatedDriver

    DedicatedDriver Light Load Member

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    Aug 11, 2012
    Southeast
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    Wow thanks everyone for the advice. My 1st chance to test is tomorrow and I'm gonna use the 53' van. We had a few options but someone will be using the flatbed while I'm testing so van was my 2nd choice. Surprisingly no one else wanted the van? :biggrin_2556:

    I got some more practice in today with backing, especially the 90, and I am getting it! It really didn't seem so bad anymore, or as intimidating. I said heck with the convex mirror and just looked out the window. I didn't hang over it or nothin but just kept an eye on the trailer tandems. Turn them right to get closer to that first cone, turn them left to get away from it or move myself in between 'em.

    Wish me luck :biggrin_25519:
     
  5. DedicatedDriver

    DedicatedDriver Light Load Member

    61
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    Aug 11, 2012
    Southeast
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    Ok guys I did not get through the whole CDL test today... because I couldn't get the 90. :( I passed the pre-trip, straight line and offset, but the 90 just ate me up. I was coming in way too sharp an angle to the cones. Then, before I had to relinquish the truck, I had it in a much better position but couldn't finish b/c I had used up all my "points."

    So I spent the afternoon backing with NO help from instructor, when I actually needed them this time. They put one guy in charge who had passed his test today, gave him the walkie talkie and told him to monitor the 2 ppl backing incase they were to hit anything. Meanwhile the instructor is inside in the A/C playing on the internet. :biggrin_25511: I was getting very frustrated and didn't make much progress. :biggrin_25513:
     
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  6. Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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    5,644
    Jul 6, 2008
    Liberty, Missouri
    0
    You are turning the wheel too fast. Slow down and turn the wheel only until the landing gear appears in your mirror and then turn it back the other way. This way you get directly behind your trailer and can finish. It is just like a straight line back from that point.

    Your trailer moves back until it exceeds 45 degrees. Once you hit the 45 the trailer crabs. The landing gear appearing in your mirror marks the 45 degree point. As soon as you see the gear turn back the other way and follow your trailer into the hole.

    That is all you do. 45 in and 45 out. Total is 90. The rest is just timing the point to start your turn. Spin the wheel the same speed going counter clockwise as clockwise. Let the truck roll with as little accelerator as possible. You can do an angle dock. Just think of it as two angles put together.
     
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  7. TWynette

    TWynette Bobtail Member

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    0
    Aug 28, 2012
    Visalia ,Ca
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    I am new to all of this. I am Currently in School in Visalia, Ca wanting to be come a truck driver, I am having problems with the backing, Alley and of set is there anyone out that that can help me
     
  8. DedicatedDriver

    DedicatedDriver Light Load Member

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    Aug 11, 2012
    Southeast
    0
    Hey TWynette, good to hear I am not the only one facing these challenges. I will offer you my advice on how I do the offset but please keep in mind I have only been backing for 2 weeks :)

    For the offset (sight side) this is how I do it in the 53' trailer:
    -pull up straight to the cones, keep your steer tires straight
    -position your steer tires all the way to the right before you start backing. once you start moving, count 4 seconds. When 4 seconds have passed, turn the wheel all the way to the left and quickly. *note- for shorter trailers 3 seconds will work. I have usually had to hold it til 4 seconds in the 53' trailer.
    -get ready to stop the truck when you see the rightmost cone/flag in your right mirror. At this point you will see the leftmost cone/flag in your left mirror.
    -turn your steer tires straight and straight line back to the cone on your right about halfway, then turn the wheel left to make the trailer turn right to loop around the cone.
    -once the tire tandems have passed the cone, turn your wheel hard to the right to straighten up the tractor with the trailer.
    -always STOP when your tractor is straight with your trailer to prevent oversteering. then straighten your wheels and straight line back.

    Oh yeah if you ever need to make a pull up, always pull up in the direction of the cones you started from.

    and I noticed that if the nose of the tractor is pointing too much to the right hand side, you're doing something wrong.
     
  9. roaddoggsteve

    roaddoggsteve Bobtail Member

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    Jun 17, 2011
    Hagerstown,MD.
    0
    i just have a couple of tips for backing, i was taught by a trainer who could get a 53' in any hole. Firstly, when u pull up to a hole try to pull up as close as safely possible, cut it hard right when ur shoulder is directly in the middle of the hole, now here is the trick, cut the wheel back to the left just a hare before u can see the rear of the trailer, keep the wheel cut to the left until ur trailer is in that "bannana" shape about 10' or so till the rear of ur trailer is past the hole. Than u wanna cut ur wheel hard right remembering not to start ur backing until the wheel is cut all the way, as soon as u start tracking towards the hole come back out of it early, remember u can always cut ur wheels back to the right to adjust ur tracking. hope this helps
     
  10. saxologist

    saxologist Light Load Member

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    Sep 6, 2012
    Pompano Bach, Fl
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    I'm just out of school for several weeks. At school the instructors will teach how "they" do it. From there I worked at it myself until I figured out several things.

    There are no cones in the real world.
    There are on markers to show you when your trailer wheels hit that mark to turn the steering wheel the other way.
    I didn't pay attention to any of that, I just practiced/drove as if the cones or markers were not there.

    First, MOST IMPORTANT for me was the"setup". Doesn't matter if it's parking, ally dock how I did the initial setup for that maneuver was the key.

    Second, my main objective is to get the trailer wheels were I want them. In my mind I know where I want those wheel to go I maneuver the steering wheel, whichever way that may be-left or right, to get the trailer wheels into the spot where I want those wheels to be. For alley-dock I will start with looking into the mirror but then I will stick my head out the window and watch the trailer wheels.

    Third, there is no "one" set of rules that one can learn. You simply learn the basic concept that works for you and go from there. Practice what works and learn from what doesn't work.

    Banana works wonders.

    I think the best practice 'on the cheap' one can have is if you have an SUV or a car with a trailer hitch, go rent a trailer at Uhaul or something. You can go to shopping center and practice and practice. Very inexpensive and the only difference is the size but the backing practice you get will be invaluable. Then you apply what you have learned to the Big Rig. The driving and maneuverability is the same you just have to apply it to the larger size as you would going from a 20' trailer to 53' trailer.
     
  11. Azcannon

    Azcannon Medium Load Member

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    Jan 24, 2010
    Phx.AZ
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    I know other people on this thread can back well , but this is the money shot right here.

    I hate the thought of adding something to such an elequent post, but he is right, the trailer doesnt turn - the truck does. As far as the nervous thing goes, practice some breathing. Get out of your head and drive your truck slowly use your skills and don't doubt yourself ,if you fail you will keep doing it until you get it.

    Every 'typical' driver has gone through it , thats why NOBODY should be criticizing or judging you. Some get it faster than others, so that only leaves you beating yourself up - give yourself a break .

    on a funny note , wouldn't it suck if the trailer blew to smithreens on the 100th failed attempt , I mean really suck.:biggrin_25515:
     
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