backing into truck stop spaces or a dock

When otr i left my marker lights on until i had trucks on both sides of me. It always helped me back in at night

 

Here's what i did to help me.... I went home and got three die cast toy trucks...parked two of them with a space in between big enough for the third. Then practice with that over and over in every way you can imagine, 45 degee, 90 degree, blind side, etc. All while paying attention to how the truck and trailer move together. Then when you are in a truckstop, remember what you did with the toy trucks and do the same thimg for real. And turn the CB volume down or off, because most of the trash talkers cant even back up themselves lol.

 

The toy mock-up helps visualization, yep. I wouldn't turn off the CB though. Sometimes you might hear "STOP!! YOU'RE GOING TO HIT THAT TRUCK!" when the witness might not be inclined to blow his air horn at 3am and wake everyone up. I own my trailers, and put backup / approach lights on the back; so when I have a dark hole to hit I kick those on. Yeah sometimes drivers complain about it, but most times they don't say a word. I'd rather have some bright lights shine me in the eyes than have a reefer cream my hood.

 

yeah i could agree with leaving it on, it can be a help IF there are decent people around. But how often does that happen lol. Oh and remember to Get Out And Look if your're not sure. I hear the paperwork for being lazy or overconfident is horrendous.

 

Agreed. Oh, also, here's a game to play for the newbs that will help visualize a basic dock scenario and do some imaginary setups. http://www.playtruckgames.net/game/276/Truck-Parking-Game.html

 

That is a good point. If I pull up it is to get a much better position.

 

Man I still am nervous about truckstops. One time when I was training I was in OKC and it was my shift driving and my trainer was in the bunk no big deal let me pull in here quick refill on coffe hit the head and be out I thought. I pull in and it was packed I pull in and head to the back nervous as hell but wanted to do this on my own so I set up and look in my mirrors and there 3 trucks waiting for me to get in so they can pass. My thoughts were #### now there watching me. It took me a while back up pull up back up pull up ect ect.... I just couldnt get it to swing right next thing I know im looking in my passanger mirrors to see how close I am and I here a knock on my door. I look over open my door and the driver from the werener truck waiting for me says ma.n you need to go hang them keys and park this ##### on the side of the road driver your awful then walked away shaking his head mumbling some nonsense. Needless to say my trainer heard that woke up and thought we were going to have a ppv match right in the. Middle of the parkimg lot. He guidied me back and then the trucks were able to get threw worst 15 min of my life. Ever since than my confindce has been shot and a bad taste in my mouth about the new generation of truckers and there attitudes. Im 26 and our generation is awful theres alot of good out there but the bad certainly outweighs the good. Sorry for the long rant stay safe out there drivers

 

Don't let the ignorant poor excuse for truckers get you down,I still won't back in a packed truckstop.With exp you'll know the trkstops that's packed and ones that aren't.If you are in a conjested area like Dallas the NE,there's a good chance truckstops are packed at night and close to being packed during the day.You get out in say Wyoming,changes are pretty good you'll find a parking spot no matter what time the day is.

 

I would have told him point blank to go #### himself. Don't let those ######## get you down. We've all had days we can't back worth ####.

I once watched a Swift driver blindside back into a spot perfectly. It was funny hearing all the trash talking on the CB suddenly stop when they realized he was going to make it.

I always try to help a fellow driver when I see he or she is having trouble backing.

 

what a jerk man. i back maybe 15-20 times a night. sometimes more. and i will not back in a truck stop thats tight. dont worry about em.