Parallel parking

I had to do the parallel for one of my two skills tests (Ohio). I was actually happy that I got the parallel because I seemed to have a better grip on it than the alley dock at that time. The way I was taught, and learned, and succeeded with was: 1. Before you start your first back motion, turn wheel ONE FULL TURN to the LEFT (steer tires pointed to left) then back very slowly until you can line the rear corner of the trailer up to the far cone in your passenger side mirror. STOP. 2. Turn wheel ONE TURN back to the RIGHT to straighten steer tires, STOP, look out the side window and MAKE SURE the drive tires are straight. 3. Begin a straight back SLOWLY until you can line up the driver side rear corner of the trailer right on the line and down to the cone and at same time watch your passenger side drive tires to line the far-side middle cone inbetween the drives, get both points as close as you can, then STOP, get out and walk down to the far inside cone that you are using in this step (the one you see in your Driver side mirror). Stand behind the cone looking straight down the line, and make sure that you do not have that corner of the trailer over the line too far. You really need the corner to be sitting about right above the line. 4. Walk around the truck to look at the positioning of your drive tires on the passenger side. The cone on that side should be right about in between the two drive tires. If you have both of these missions accomplished, you are well on your way. 5. Get back in truck, ONE TURN to the RIGHT, back slowly while watching your passenger side mirror. Watch the front passenger side corner of your trailer, once the corner of the trailer makes a sideways V angle with the corner of the trailer and the line on the ground (you can see all of this by watching in your PS mirror), STOP. Check your driver side mirror to make sure the driver side of the trailer is not too far back into the spot. It shouldn't be, but you must make sure. 6. ONE TURN to the LEFT, back slowly until you are straight within the spot, watching the passenger side mirror, to watch the trailer begin to line up with the line on the ground, being very careful not to back too far. Once satisfied, get out and look from all four corner cones, make sure you are within all of the lines. This is how I was taught, I mastered it quickly, and passed exam on first try. (Just remember the turns in this order LEFT, RIGHT, RIGHT, LEFT.) Good luck

 

Holding the steering wheel at 5 and 7-o'clock helps prevents over-steering. I prefer to pull up as far as they will let you past the cones, straight line back no more than 1-2 ft. away from the cone and when your rear tires pass the cone make your hard turn. As soon as the tires touch the line, hard turn in the opposite direction. From there it's all finesse and practice. I was nailing this maneuver during practice in one simple move but choked on the test to the point it took me three pull-ups but it was enough to pass. Funny how that works. Anyway, in the real world you won't have to parallel park all that much.

 

What an incredibly great idea. I start school on Monday, April 18, and parallel parking has scared me even before I start! I know it's not the same but I've been backing boats into tight places on a ramp since I was 14. Still though, 80 feet, 80K lbs = kinda scary. I love your idea, and will be buying my first toy truck in 40 years tomorrow. After 30 years close to and in, and then out of the executive suite, I start my new life in a few days. Now my life will be an adventure. I've learned money doesn't matter, although I expect to make a great living, and all that matters is being able to wake up and look forward to a new day. Haven't done that in most of the years I was chasing the almighty dollar.

 

if you REALLY want to get daring.

Go find an R/C model truck.

 

slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

 

All can rembember is stopping when the duals are even with the cone for UR first cut, and 8 ft from parrellel line for 2nd cut.It has been awhile.I would find someone who let U back their truck.Maybe at the truck stop.Get a little practice.Here in IN. it's $150 each test,but U get I think 2 pull ups.Hope this helps.

 

We had a Nicely placed grease mark on the front of the trailer, you pulled 5-6ft past the mark about 1ft away width wise. Cranked the wheel over till you hit your mark and the cranked it the other way and rode it till you jack knifed.

Im sure your mark depends on the trailer length. We used a short trailer and if I remember correctly once a little over half the trailer width was at the left side of the catwalk you stopped, cranked it all the way the other way and rode it in

 

I have siad this in other posts and I see that some have mentioned it here get one of those toy trucks, you can get a scale model at some truck stops. Anything you are having trouble with play with the truck and visuallize what is going on. Then once you are in the real thing you will be able to know where the back of your trailer is even if you cant see it.