having trouble offset and alley backing in cdl school in minnesota

Go to a local truck and watch. Good luck.

 

Just keep practicing. Some people get it right away, some don t. It took me awhile to get the hang when I first started. One of the easiest ways is to watch when your rear drive pass the cone or line and then go to 12 o clock position and out towards 9 o clock until you can see the back of your trailer, cone, or the line. Let the trailer roll back a few feet then turn the wheel opposite of where you want the trailer to go, once you got the trailer in the line or cone, get back under the trailer and straight back it in

 

I hope to pick up some pointers as I start ally dock this week in school myself. I think in 3 weeks I move on to the parallel parking.
The teachers are there to help you when you get out of shape. In my case if the field teachers cant help me there is one class room teacher that I can call on to point me in the right direction but hope I don’t need to.
Also what I think will help me is I have towed many different camp & car trailers over the years and never had issues with them.

Oh I have been checking out YouTube videos also.
Good luck
Dave ----

 

There is no way to describe a proper technique for backing, I've tried and even my kids knew I pulled the explination out my arse. Practice, Practice Practice.<---is the only way
But just for amusement, picture an overhead camera... pull the trailer out of the dock or alley, rewind and you have your answer.

After 15yrs I've got good days and bad, but ultimatly my backing ability (or lack of) is in direct proportion to the amount of people watching.
I wish you both good luck!

 

I went to walmart, bought 12 orange cones in sports section. Went to uhaul, rented a truck with a trailer. Went to a Kmart parking lot nearby (part of its parking lot was empty and nobody was parking out there) and spent a whole day backing up. First half of the day was messed up, but by the end of the day I was doing good. Went to school, rented their truck and trailer for 4 hours at $65 per hour, next day I passed the test from the first try. Even if uhaul trailers are smaller, it does not matter. Once your mind figures out how to back up a trailer, you can do it with a 53 footer with just a little extra practice.

 

One suggestion is take the test in a day cab if possible. I've been practicing alley docking for 3 weeks in a sleeper cab and was doing ok. Then I tried a day cab and it's so much easier to turn. You also have more space since its 5-6 feet shorter.

 

Use all of the real estate possible, For CDL school, Stop adjust wheel and move, Stop adjust wheel and move.
If i remember correct from school, it was 4-8 feet from tractors last axle then make your turnout with a Twin screw sleeper and a 53' van (site side )



In the real world, Leave yourself an out for the tractor ( swing outs ),Can always drop a trailer and re-adjust IF CRAP HITS THE FAN and pull ups is not embarrassing.

Find your target and play with that steering wheel. You win nothing if you forgot to open the barn doors ( me, several times )


( Blind Side )
Now doing LTL P/D, Doing multi stops at a dock/ where ever. Find your target and GOAL and leave yourself an out and adjust/clean your dang mirrors

 

Good and bad days, spot on. Out of the minimum 50 Bumping docks a week. No doubt going to have a self embarassing WTF moment