Parking Challenge

I try to park in only the sight side back ins. Tha blind side ones are more likely to damage the truck.

 

Us old farts didn't have to think about it, we were used to putting something big in a small place.......

 

You ole.perv you.....haha jk man.

 

You couldn’t say it any better

 

The hardest back is when you have 10 football fields worth of space to straight back into a dock with no lines.

The rest is all situational, regarding what trucks are around, tail swing, etc. In general, 90 will have more difficulty than an angled back, but not always the case, especially if there’s blind siding required for an angled back.

Sort of unrelated, but this thread reminded me of one of my hardest when I first started. The ol’ blindside, no room on either side, barely room to pull forward special:

 

I personally think it's way easier to back at an angle. Initially, because you're new, you won't think so. They only teach to do the 90 degree alley dock in school. The angled parking will cure the one issue every new driver struggles with: over-steering. The picture you laid out, to park in those spots, you can't over steer. The only spots that will be difficult to get into will be the ones that require you to blind side back. If I have to blind side, I don't mind it so much in an angled spot. Usually, if I have enough space, I'll nose into those spots. That pic doesn't look like there's enough space to nose if the truck stop is full. I'd be hesitant to blind side back if it's late, and the truck stop is full. You'll have to use discernment and refrain from taking chances in those scenarios.

 

It has to be, cause every time I try to back straight, my trailer goes sideways...

Woes of a flatbedder

 

Man..you ain't lying there. I broke in driving flatbed. Backing that spread axle, that's where that angle backing becomes easier. Those spread axles have a mind of their own when backing.

 

To the OP, if you ever show up at a huge yard with multiple parking, practice backing up. I for one have a habit of practicing backing up on my “Blindside”. Keeps me in check when the time arises, and it has. Especially when backing up a spread axle.

 

I've been driving forward for 6 years. Recently I picked up two new customers that require reverse blindside entry from car lined streets, both on a slight slope favouring gravity. One then has an ally of cars down to the door, the other a S line through cars and building before a line to the door. The S line also has a fence to pass through.

Like these experienced guys are saying, just do it. Its like your first date in some ways, just don't blow it if you want to return.

Some useful tips however....
I drive an automated manual type of auto, found the Turtle setting for reversing much easier then just R. I also found it doesn't take long to get it together. Some are better than others, but like first date it can be a bit of a mess, but by your 3rd or 4th its pretty good.

Have a good look as you arrive for whats where.
Arc past the entry and pull up with the trail in a lane side closest to entry, but find the middle or opposite lane of the road with the tractor.
Over shoot the entry by half a trailer. Helps to get direction sorted and for a gentle turn in.
If you have to jackknife it because someone has parked right on the entry, definitely make sure you have the tractor centre of road, and look for a spot you can drive forward to straighten up after you have the tail in.
Don't care how many other cars or trucks you delay, they will probably be thankful its not them.
Make sure you have it in your head turning the steering wheel Right means the tail goes Left, and vice versa (single trailer)
Get out and check if you loose confidence of whats where.
Be professional, as others said its your job.

For the long straight reverse, if no lines pick a finish spot and imagine a line to the railer wheels. Do small adjustments with the steering giving the trailer time to swing, have faith it will do it. Much easier then over correcting zig zaging your way to the target.

You'll be right