Why is offset parking the hardest obsticle

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by platinum, Mar 20, 2011.

  1. platinum

    platinum Road Train Member

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    Aug 18, 2010
    Fort Worth, Texas
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    I can parallel park Both sides, 90 park, and straight line in one truck, but straight line or offset in another is a pain in the ###. Whats up? I get in one Freight truck and it's like driving a Daewoo, the other like driving a Garbage truck. Seriously, the first day I did everything great second day offset gave me a hard time, Paralle parking is super easy at this school!
     
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  3. bigdog007700

    bigdog007700 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 29, 2011
    Cincinnati , Ohio
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    Anytime I mess up while straight lining if I stop and think for a min. I find its because my mirrors vibrated loose and wandered a little or they weren't adjust right to begin with. Its all in the mirrors my friend. Take your time and don't take the simplicity of backing straight for granted. its the
    Base of all maneuvers
     
  4. Sequoia

    Sequoia Road Train Member

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    Dec 4, 2010
    Tampa Bay, FL
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    I don't know what's so difficult about straight line backing. Just look in the mirror and watch the end of your trailer. If your tires are lined up with a line on the ground, watch that primarily and glance up every couple seconds to see how close you are to whatever you're backing up to.

    Offset isn't terribly difficult. Think of it as 2 45-degree backs. You're essentially going to do one driver side 45 and then one blind side 45 right after it. (or vice versa, depending on what offset you're doing)

    Don't get too caught up on mastering a 90 degree in one attempt, the only person you'll impress is yourself. I can also count on one hand the number of times I've needed to parallel park this thing. It doesn't happen much in my experience.

    I really don't know why they only allow you 2 get out and looks on these backing tests. Out on the road, you're not penalized for getting out to look too much.
     
  5. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    >>>>I really don't know why they only allow you 2 get out and looks on these backing tests. Out on the road, you're not penalized for getting out to look too much.

    Xactly, better chance of getting penalized(receive repair bill) for NOT GOALing!
     
  6. rocknroll nik

    rocknroll nik High Risk Load Member

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    Oct 18, 2008
    can't read the sign
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    My problen at the schools backing was always finding a point of reference...like a dock to back into OR worrying about hitting that SHINY Peterbilt or KW........I think that angled docks and parking spaces are harder to hit because your point of reference to get to is angled away from you......it's a geometry and depth perception thing

    and to the original poster....no two trucks are the same...even if they are the same year make and model
     
  7. badcompany

    badcompany Heavy Load Member

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    Sep 26, 2008
    cullman,alabama
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    I'm good on backing as long as the knuclehead beside me isn't crooked then I'm in trouble:biggrin_2556:
     
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  8. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    Jan 18, 2011
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    STOP making such a big deal about it! From the tone of your post IMHO you are OVERTHINKING IT! and then dwelling on it the rest of the time--
    Just chill take it easy and enjoy--your new you are in school--it is day2--RELAX!!!
    Just my $.02:biggrin_25525:
     
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  9. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Jan 20, 2010
    Hesperia, Ca.
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    Try blind side backing up/parking, its a piece of cake, btw, with a sleeper and no back window, your turn.........
     
  10. wulfman75

    wulfman75 Road Train Member

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    Jul 15, 2010
    Athens, GA
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    i can offset no problem, it's the #### alley dock that gets me lol
     
  11. walstib

    walstib Darkstar

    I think having brick/concrete walls and/or other people's trucks on both sides helps make you better!...There is something psychological about cones in schools that make people mess up more than they would in the real world...Probably the fact you can mess up, in the real world, you'd take your time more and GOAL more often...

    Never THINK you can make it, KNOWING is only a 53' walk!
     
    Injun, chralb and wulfman75 Thank this.
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