backing into truck stop spaces or a dock

after a few years i still run into problems. no big deal. don't sweat it. take your time. and goal. as you drive more you will get better and you will improve. just remember, you are responsible for your own truck and if you need 30 minutes to back up, take it.

after all i drive what you see in my profile picture when i'm home.

 

After my 3 years, I still have trouble setting up right, especially in truckstops when you have one parking spot, and there's hardly enough room.

My problem with backing into a tight spot like that is that I'm always afraid that the blind corner of my trailer will hit the truck that's parked in the spot to the right of where I'm backing into.

Also, remember that where your tandems are at makes a difference as well. The further your tandems are forward, the more and faster your tractor will push your trailer. The further back your tandems are, the slower. Also, the further up your tandems are, the more clearance the back of your trailer needs to swing around - so be careful about where your trailer's rear end is swinging - you don't want to hit the truck on your right.

 

I've been doing this for 18 years 8 months and there are days I swear I could be on the beach and miss the ocean...it happens

Don't get worked up over it and don't worry about what some numb nut on the CB has to say, take your time no matter how long it takes..

I would suggest leaving your radio on it just might save you from having a backing accident..

It helped me at the J in Toledo when one of CRST's finest idiots decided to cut behind me as I was backing into a spot, "tanker STOP" is what I heard from somebody who was watching and at just that time I saw that stupid SOB go racing behind me..

just something to think about..

 

Had one at the Hagerstown Piolt come up my blind side, took his fender and mirror off.

 

I usually start to setup when my shoulders pass the space beside the one I want to get into. 3 turns right straighten and then 3 turns left and pull up far as I can and that usually gets me close to being on a 45 to the spot I want to get into.

There's no shame in blowing a setup and pulling up or even around around again and setting up again. Biggest mistake I see is people with target fixation and fighting tooth and nail trying to get one in that just isn't going. That and not getting out and looking if it's close.

You'll get it one day and that light bulb will come on a you'll drop it in there most every time you just gotta find and realize what your marks and reference points are we all have our days we couldn't even drive it in there straight lol usually the later in the day or longer the day is the worse it gets.

Practice and patience and pull around or out and setup again if you need to don't fight it. It'll come to you.

 

I just imagine that i pulled away from the dock and arrived at my current position. then i just retrace my steps and back in. sounds goofy but it works perfectly for me. once i started that method i can back into anything. i drive better in reverse than forward.

 

That is very good advice when backing,whether it is someone walking by or on cb if someone yells "STOP" even it is not directed towards you stop and look around.

 

Just pay the few bucks and have your truck valet parked.

 

not sure if its been suggested or not, but it would be a great help to you if you got used to backing with the tandems in the same hole whenever possible. That way you can get used to how the trailer moves with the tractor pushing it. In time it wont matter which hole you're in. Oh , watch your oversteer/overcorrecting too. Watch other drivers too , as much as possible.
Practice practice practice.

 

Yup! Good advice. Proper set-up is a big part of the battle.