Alley docking tips!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by pharrari, Dec 15, 2012.

  1. pharrari

    pharrari Light Load Member

    175
    34
    Nov 21, 2012
    Sanford,FL
    0
    So, I'm at the final week in my class at TDI and I feel like everything was super rushed and I just can't nail the alley dock for anything! My skills test is thursday/friday. What on Earth am I gonna do? Any aids out there? The practice time is running out because there's a class behind mine and they are limiting it! Ugh I feel like these 3 weeks schools aren't even worth it! Ugh!
     
    Logan76 Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Quickfarms

    Quickfarms Heavy Load Member

    898
    236
    May 29, 2012
    Los Angeles, Ca
    0
    This has been covered several times, what are your issues? Where are you located?
     
  4. bumpa

    bumpa Bobtail Member

    30
    7
    Aug 28, 2012
    0
    how big is the trailer? i test next week, and the school im at has had us practicing with a 40' and a 53'. for the test we're in a 28'. after a few hours with the longer trailers, the 28' is cake. also, how many pull-ups and GOALs are they allowing? we get two of each. even the worst guy in our class can nail that.
     
  5. pharrari

    pharrari Light Load Member

    175
    34
    Nov 21, 2012
    Sanford,FL
    0
    I'm on the East coast. My issue is I either cut too soon and end up before the box or if I try again, I try not to over steer and I end up missing the hole. I don't know when I should cut hard versus only giving it a little turn.

    If I cut the steering wheel to the right a half of a turn I usually end up missing it too early or hitting the first cone before straightening out or I'll start all over and try cutting the wheel a quarter turn and end up completely missing the hole.
     
  6. blazer1

    blazer1 Light Load Member

    179
    90
    Sep 5, 2010
    so. jersey
    0
    This will sound crazy,,,, but go to you tube, there are plenty of videos there that show and explain alley docking. Good luck!
     
  7. pharrari

    pharrari Light Load Member

    175
    34
    Nov 21, 2012
    Sanford,FL
    0

    I have not found one that deals with the cones. Only into the actual real world experience or its someone taping someone doing it with no instruction.
     
  8. Palace37

    Palace37 Light Load Member

    121
    80
    Dec 11, 2012
    New Jersey
    0
    Don't let it get to you or you will screw up. My test was at Miller in NJ it's a 90% everyone lets it get into their head it's hard. My advice take it slow so you can correct. Also if you have to pull up only go about 5 seconds correct then back in this was from an instructor. And when you have it in and not sure if your good blow the horn let them tell you if your good or not.
     
  9. passport220

    passport220 Road Train Member

    1,463
    2,073
    Oct 9, 2012
    Des Moines, IA
    0
    My tip: Put more right turn into the wheel than left as u back-up, it is better to come up short on the box than long. Short is better as u can see from the driver side how to pull up and make your adjustment. Yes, if you are having a hard time just plan on making 1 pull up, that will still score fine and you will pass.
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2012
  10. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

    9,705
    61,612
    Jun 13, 2011
    PNWET
    0
    If tens of thousands of other ppl can do it so can you. It's better to under steer than over steer when backing. When I first started driving a P/D route I could not back up a short box w/ arm strong steering. An old timer said to me,"Do ya need some help?" That guy did me a favor. Cause after that I worked @ it till I was the best #### backer I could be:)and someday you will too.
     
  11. pharrari

    pharrari Light Load Member

    175
    34
    Nov 21, 2012
    Sanford,FL
    0
    We get 2 free pull ups and 2 free get out and looks. The problem with the pulling up is, the area to pull up is very little. I don't want to hit a cone or touch the line or its 3 points a piece. Sometime I end up in a jack knife. Does that mean I'm using too much turn? Also how do I snake back around so I'm straight so I can go the other direction so I can see the cones in the passenger side?
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.