Parallel Park is ##### Me Up

Just finished my first week of the hands on portion of my CDL course. We covered the pre trip, straight backing, offset backing and today we worked on parallel parking. I've done great, been ahead of the class for the most part. But today I struggled with the parallel park. The instructors gave us marks to look for to know when to turn, and even when I'm following them, I'm hitting the entrance to the box too late and if I try to cut farther in my initial cut to correct it, I wind up coming in at too sharp of an angle and blowing out the side of the box. I got it a couple times but I felt like it was purely by chance.

I know it can be hard to describe the situation completely without a visual, but hopefully I was clear in my explanation. Any ideas how I can correct this?

 

So give me the secrets! lol

 

Thanks, I agree correct setup is everything. If I get the angle right and I enter the box at the right point, I can easily get the last two turns and get it in straight and without blowing out the back of the box. Its the first and second "setup" turns that I'm messing up.

I watched that video earlier today. I won't have class again until Monday but I will definitely try their method of making the first cut until you see the cone line up with the corner of the box.

Currently my instructors have me aiming for a different target and maybe switching will help. Thanks.

Also practice makes perfect, I've only practiced this maybe 10 or 12 times.

 

We are allowed to use pull ups and GOALs. I've tried to avoid using them as I've found that if I make many direction changes and adjustments I end up getting confused and losing track of what I was trying to do in the first place.