So im taking my test May 15th. I have all the maneuvers down well except for Alley Docking. Today was my first day attempting it and although I failed I did learn a lot and I feel confident I will have it within the next couple of days however I'm curious what tips can the guys who have been doing it for years give me.
Alley Docking tips, how can I get better at it?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Kingty9183, Apr 17, 2021.
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austinmike, Puppage and Trucker61016 Thank this.
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1...practice
2...patienceslow.rider, alds, Puppage and 2 others Thank this. -
3...new drivers tend to oversteer when backing.
4.... don't get in a hurry. take it slowslow.rider Thanks this. -
Proper setup
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Stop giving a rats ### about what other drivers think of your backing skills. I'm not saying block a lane for an hour if you can avoid it, just don't let the "trucker gaze" make you uncomfortable when trying to get it in the hole.
slow.rider, Kingty9183 and alds Thank this. -
Generally in school, you won't get enough "seat time" to practice backing. So, go rent a u-haul trailer (6X12) and spend the day practicing somewhere backing. Same concept as a 53' trailer. A big part of backing is which way to turn the steering wheel and how much to turn the steering wheel.
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Kingty9183 Thanks this.
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Linte_Loco Thanks this.
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In reality, some of the distance stuff depends on where your tandems are. The farther back the tandems are, the farther forward you need to pull up before you start to turn. But, that's in the real world, not the test environment. You probably will always have the same tandems spacing while in school and testing, so don't worry about it for now, just know once you get out there, it's a thing.
Getting that setup is at least 90% of it. I've gone around as many as 5 times till I got a workable setup on a tight dock. I find watching both the rear of my trailer and my trailer wheels helpful. Also found it better to turn around and look instead of just using the mirrors. I found that the mirrors can make it look like I have more clearance with the trailer on the driver's side than I actually do. So, important to look at it directly.
And, although you won't be tested at night, one thing I found helpful when backing in at night is to lower both my windows. Not having to look through the passenger side window at night will help you see that side easier and better.
Big thing is to get through the test. Understand you'll probably suck at backing for awhile. It simply takes practice and more practice to figure out how it will work for you. But, realize that all of us went through what you are, survived it and passed. So, have a bit of faith in yourself. I was guilty of trying too hard when I was in training. One of the instructor's pulled me aside, told me to relax a bit and ease up on myself. It helped! I gave myself permission to suck at backing for the time being and without putting the undo pressure on myself, I think it was easier to get past the sucking part (although on occasion EVERYBODY will suck at backing and if they don't admit it, they're lying!).
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