Questions about backing and parallel parking on cdl (a) test

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Lysander, Oct 20, 2007.

  1. thummper

    thummper Light Load Member

    55
    3
    Dec 12, 2006
    orange county, ca
    0
    go as slow as you like. safety first. you get three tries. [ california] three backing maneuvers. parallel, 90%, and strait. the parallel was first. I did it in a 6 speed IH 2 axle semi city tractor with a 30' drybox.[1 axle]
    my school had a black mark 3 feet from the front of the trailer on the bottom of the box side, designed to be seen in your mirror when you achieve the lock-to-lock parallel maneuver, [bending your rig 90% in two opposing directions to set the trailer over like a lane change---called side dock]. this is a trick the dmv doesnt care about. they have you maneuver in an open parking lot with cones. don't touch the cones or it is a dq.
    You position the truck with the trailer axle no further back than the first cone. you refer to the tread on the pavement[in your mirror] and shadows from the sun. before you move an inch, you turn the wheel to the left all the way to lock. Back up, looking in your right mirror until the tractor is at a perfect L to the trailer. That's when you will see the 3' mark on the trailer in your right mirror. stop. turn the wheel fully to the right and back slowly until the tractor is at a perfect L again. position the trailer evenly between the cones, and it's done. the 90 degree is simply done with practice, as you watch out the left mirror and out your left window WHERE THE TRAILER TIRES ARE GOING. achieving a consistent arc is something you just get a feel for. practice. In my current job, I'm getting better at backing a pull trailer. [the straiter, the better]
     
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