Where to put tandems for alley dock?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by brettw77777, Nov 22, 2019.

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  1. brettw77777

    brettw77777 Bobtail Member

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    I am curious as to what do you all think about tandem location for an alley dock, in particular the one you have to take for the CDL test and you know how tight that is! In school, we had it at the 41-foot mark which is pin hole 7 on our truck but my trainer and I have been having a discussion that it might make more sense to slide them all the way back because it won't be as much trailer swing so I'll be interested to hear your opinions for a newbie in this situation. Thank you
     
    brettw77777, Nov 22, 2019
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  2. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    If you have a choice I would think all the way forward, however, in places like Maryland watch that backswing. Know the laws of the state you test in!
     
    Moose1958, Nov 22, 2019
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  3. 12 ga

    12 ga THE VIEW FROM MY OFFICE

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    Your trainer is an idiot. Can't have much experience him/her self.
     
    12 ga, Nov 22, 2019
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  4. truckdriver31

    truckdriver31 Road Train Member

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    too much forward and you will turn too sharp
     
    truckdriver31, Nov 22, 2019
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  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Somewhere in the middle.

    Your trainer has been in the sun too long, pardon the expression. I have had run sick trailers that wont take a slide from all the way back in MN a couple of times to shop and those things ate up a disgusting amount of ramp room, merge room etc.

    Maryland indeed is nazi with that trailer swing. Normally I don't pay much mind to it. But because Maryland being Maryland, watch your ###.
     
    x1Heavy, Nov 22, 2019
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  6. Tx Countryboy

    Tx Countryboy Road Train Member

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    Never had them up front on steers. Lol
     
    Tx Countryboy, Nov 22, 2019
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  7. HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    If you have the fancy new air activated pins, practice with the tandems in different positions. If you have the manual ones...it's easier just to learn where they're set...LoL

    People look at me all crazy-like when I spread out close set tandems on a step deck. It's just easier for me to reverse a spread axle than a close set.
     
    HoneyBadger67, Nov 22, 2019
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  8. otterinthewater

    otterinthewater Road Train Member

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    Put it at the length you’re used to.
     
    otterinthewater, Nov 22, 2019
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  9. Cattleman84

    Cattleman84 Road Train Member

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    Learn to back in with tandems set in any position... Saves alot of time and heart ache.
     
    Cattleman84, Nov 22, 2019
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  10. FlaSwampRat

    FlaSwampRat Road Train Member

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    Personally I think it's easiest with them all the way back if you have the room. Bit take @Cattleman84 advice and learn with them everywhere because you never know what you will be up against out there.
     
    FlaSwampRat, Nov 22, 2019
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