Parking

I run a heavy haul chassis, with 20k steers. They’ve got half the turning radius than most trucks it seems, and my RGN has the axles all the way in the rear. I have a difficult time backing in tight spots, where you’ve got to jack knife in. I avoid these at all costs. One time I struggled getting into one, it took several stabs at it. Once done, I over heard two guys saying “see?, I told you lowbedders and flatbedders can’t back for ####”. If they only knew…

 

Well, the upside of reefer business is that you're delivering at 0300 + 2 hours = 0500 and that means by the time you get to the truckstop, all the smart guys that got there early, are leaving. Now you get the choice spots. win!!!

 

It sounds like you are quite normal. Bravo for trying to back instead of parking at the fuel pumps or parking in the driveway entrance like the useless drivers do. Take how long it takes. Even vets sometimes takes several attempts to get parked or backed into a dock door. While it seems everyone is in a hurry, especially when you are new, NOBODY wants you to hurry up and hit something. Inconveniencing everyone for 10 extra minutes is a LOT less hassle than hitting something or another vehicle in the first 30 seconds. When I was new, and I couldn't back very well there were several customer locations where it took me 30-45 minutes to get into a dock door, usually these were the only dock door they had in a particularly tight spot or difficult position. Even though I remember some of these spots today (almost 30 years later) and those tight spots were in the middle of winter, when I got finished I was soaking wet from sweating and my truck air conditioner was running at full-blast the entire time. It takes however long it takes. Back when 99% of trucks and drivers used CB radios you could tell that MOST of the time anyone waiting on your to back in was NOT frustrated enough to say anything on the radio. Now that 10% have a CB it is easy for the nicer new drivers who actually worry about being in the way, to think every last driver is cursing your birth and on the verge of beating you up for making them wait 90 seconds.

The ost you can and should do is practice backing every single day or multiple times per day. Each newbie has a magic number of attempts before they finally get the skill down. The more times you practice and the fewer times you avoid backing with some lazy and selfish replacement to backing the sooner you will be an "old hand". I always went to the least convenient, farthest parking spot, that would inconvenience the fewest number of people. Then I yielded to ANYONE around me that was driving or backing. Once I was my turn I took my time and I didn't rush. If I could get it in a few attempts I would pull out of the way or circle the parking lot, allowing everyone I was delaying to go on their way and then I would setup for another attempt. When it is your turn USE YOUR SPACE. It is part of the job.

 

I would rob banks before I pulled anymore reefer loads. I hate reefer mostly for the terrible customers and the massive outrageous delays. Many customers would do more good in the world if their business was hit by a asteroid, not that I have any strong opinions on the subject.

 

#1 rule, take your time.
Everybody knows what you're trying to do and most understand.
That said, don't be a dick and have to be perfectly centered. Get set, ready, go

 

The odd times I've delivered to grocery warehouses in a dry van, informs me that I could never do reefer. I would still be in jail.

 

I back up into the same spot on my dock at warehouse every morning and when I get home I back into the same spot in the shop every evening. Every single time it is in a different spot or angle. My OCD and attention to detail makes me have to have it in the same “calibrated” spot every time. Lol! Sometimes I have to reset sometimes not. Still get lucky to get it in my perfect feel good spot on first try.

 

Take your time, get out and look! If you got into your parking spot with out hitting anything, than you did a good job! You will get better at it the more times that you do it.