Share Tips for alleydocking on a Blind..

Use your power mirrors on the blindside.

 

Well but it is obvious, get out and look.

The alley dock will frustrate anyone. One day, you're in first try. The same day, only a few hours later, you're all messed up again.

Take it slow, stick your head out the window, and watch where you want your trailer to go.

 

sticking your head out the window,

on a blind back ??

won't see much !!!!

 

If you have a window in the sleeper on the blind side use it. If you have spot mirrors on the fenders, use them.

 

Ah geez.

In his posting, I did not see "blind", but yeah, it was there in his title.

My bad.

######.

Well, if he has the neck of a Giraffe???.

 

You can ask someone one the ground to spot

GOAL then use something as a landmark to not go further if you see it

Sometimes moving your mirror out a little can make a big difference, depends on the situation.

 

That and your convex mirror are the best tools you have but still go slow and once the trailer is coming around go check the angle looks good from both sides rather than wait to long. It's easier to fix the angle earlier then later.

 

set yourself up just like you would on the right side but in reverse, using the exaggerated S move. then practice. got a stop with a big lot that you would normally just back into? spin it around and blind side in. or at the end of the day practice in your yard. you're not going to get better at it unless you practice.

 

I agree with vavega, practice. if you fuel up in the middle of the day head to the back of the truckstop and try blindsiding it into a spot with no trucks around. Also, do you understand the concept of over-cutting versus under-cutting ? If you over-cut (your trailer is turning too quickly) usually all you have to do to correct is straighten your wheels and pull up a few feet, then continue backing. If you undercut, you have to almost start over. So it is better to overcut a little bit. Last piece of advice is probably obvious, but I see so many guys do it wrong. You must, must, must start from the best postion available. Leaving yourself room on the left for your truck to swing, but a little room on the right for your trailer to cut the corner as well.