Need advice about Alley docking ( 45 )

Hahaha I remember seeing you post that in the other thread, and I already had this on my list of things to take to school...
I may be the only one with a toy there, but I intend to use every trick in the book to my advantage. Brickman, I think I'll
look for one at Toy-r-us with a Swift logo on the side... it may be more used to being abused... oh and tarps... vroom, vroom...

 

I had a really hard time with this, too, the first couple of days. Kept pinning myself in. I asked the state tester as he was strolling by if he had any advice. He said 'Watch the tandems'.

I tried to do that but something still felt like it was missing. The last day, all of a sudden I started doing it sorta like Wiseone said. I started watching the negative and positive space instead of the back of the trailer (or the tandems only). I started watching the space around the truck instead of just the truck. It sorta felt like a mind expanding experience. Also, when you are coming into the box, you only need to turn the wheel just a little to correct the aim. Once I got those two things I started getting it straight in.

 

Thanks Wise One. I Have The Same Problem As Everyone Else.in Fl. Were I Plan To Take My Cdl We Must Know Straight 100',straight Line,offset L.& R.. Alley Doc,parallel Driver Side & Blind Side Parallel, Which I Still Have Problems, Any Advice For Blindside Par. Jbcuda

 

Blind side parallel isn't really that much different from sight side parallel. Most of it has to be envisioned in your head--what the trailer is doing.

It's been a hell of a long time since I took the state skills test, and I'm not really sure what each state requires, but here's my explanation.

While setting up for parallel in the real world (i.e. Rest Area parking)--either sight or blind side, I always pulled up beside the spot with my whole rig until I was even with the proposed parking area, to make sure it was long enough. Eventually, you'll get to know when a spot is big enough, but until you do, it don't hurt to get out and look. Be sure to leave enough room for the other drivers to get out after you're parked.

I'd then pull forward until the back of the trailer was approximately 15 feet or so (approx. a quarter trailer length) beyond the parking spot with the whole rig at a very slight angle to the spot. Just before you reach this point, straighten the tractor until it is parallel to the spot--leaving the trailer slightly angled toward the space. If you were to sight down blind side of the trailer like a gun sight, it should intersect in the middle of the end parking spot using an imaginary line (picture a truck parked behind the spot... shoot for the grill).

Sight side or blind side, the procedure is the same from here... I'll use blind side as the example using a typical 53 ft van with the axles set at 48 ft.

Start backing, keeping the tractor moving parallel to the spot you are backing in to. Because your trailer was at a slight angle before you straightened the tractor, it should start to drift towards the spot very gently. This allows you to get the trailer moving into the spot without having to swing the tractor out. The goal is to NOT have to swing the tractor out at all--to just follow the trailer in. You should be shooting for your trailer tandems to hit an imaginary point just beyond half the distance of the spot as they enter the rectangle--You'll need to use your convex mirrors to see them. Start to straighten the tractor to the trailer.

As they hit this point, tractor should be straight with the trailer and starting to swing the other way, gently pushing the nose of the trailer into the spot.

Once the tandems are within a few feet of the curb/painted line, straighten the tractor up, as it follows the trailer in. Watch your drives in the mirror to make sure you don't run over the curb/painted line. Watch the back of the trailer to make sure you don't overshoot the spot as well as the nose of the tractor while you swing it in.

Pull up to center the rig in the spot.

Some things to consider in the real world:

1. Remember the swing on a 53 footer if there are light poles or trees next to the spot you are backing in to. The back of the trailer will be outside the box when the tandems near the curb as you back in. Pick another spot or slide the tandems all the way back if you have to.

2. Don't be so focused on the trailer that you forget where the tractor is. You certainly don't want to wipe your nose on the trucks parked on the opposite side. (seen it happen)

3. Above all, no matter what's required on the state test, GET OUT AND LOOK in the real world. Nothing sucks more than to have to fill out an accident report when you're tired as hell and just want to go to sleep.

edit:
Brickman's idea about the truck really does work. Try to get a bigger scale version with steerable front wheels.

 

Thanks For The Advice.in Fl. Were I'll Be Taking The Test The Computer Randomly Picks Out The Test You'll Be Taking You Must Do 3 Backing Maneuvers To Pass You Get 2 Free Pull Ups And Can Get Out And Look[goal] Twice

 

JB

Parallels are the easiest to do. I learned the 3 or 4 count method.

U pull up till your last tires are 12 inches away and parallel to the cone. Turn your tires away from the movement. At the same time u release the the clutch start a 3 count if your on pavement or 4 count if your on gravel. You'll be surprised how ez the trailer fits right into the gap. At the school I attented we basically learned how to do the parallel in the class room. The instructors had the timing down perfect.

one one thousand two one thousand three one thousand.........then u got to really torque it into the opposite direction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

We have been alley docking for the last two days. Really having too share the truck, so i've maybe stuck the trailer maybe twice out 12 tries. Our instructor gave a piece of advice on how too do this. Start your truck at the 3 o'clock position, gradually back, then hit 9 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 9'oclock, then maybe a 3 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 9 o'clock, etc.. Follow through by getting completely back under your trailer. I've been watching my tires and my steering is completely off. Anyone else have any advice on this procedure?

 

Did you ever get the 45 answered and done?

 

Great advice. I stick my head out the window almost every time unless it's pouring out.