Backed in but truck not straight

John Deeres have those big fat tires. Im sure they can bridge a 2" gap.

 

Their "plate" is a 12 inch wide piece of diamond plate steel, the dock bumper sits 6 inches out from the building, and they use standard fork lifts. If the trailer isn't square, you aren't getting unloaded.

 

You'll get better with time. As long as they can get into the trailer and you are in the lines, it's good. I see guys pulling vans these days that can't even pull into a diagonal spot at a rest area straight, and backing into a spot at the truck stop is impossible. You are already well ahead.

 

Lol! Exactly!

 

If there is a Dante's Circle of Hell for perfectionists, they will cut costs and install a one inch lip to keep them occupied.

 

what I do when there is no lines is line trailer top to a rib in the steel siding or roofing which ever you can see that takes care of most places ..... or put a mark or something where you want your tractor tires ... anything you can see and run over after a few years it gets easier to get straight with no lines

 

That is why I only drive during the daylight hours.

 

I deliver to a dock like that with no lines and I couldn't hit it to save my life. I am new like you. Been out on the road about six months.

What I finally did that helped me greatly was get out and drop a hat or some work gloves that were lined up as straight as possible alone the side of the dock, the side that is going to be in your mirror. The closest outer glove is going to be dropped right about where you want your Tandems to start turning. The second glove will be right about where you want your trailer straight with your tractor. Then just straightline back.

It looked corny but I got it in straight first attempt. Was tired it was 3 am and I just wanted to go to bed. Was the first time I hit that dock straight on the first try and didn't rookie around for a half an hour. Lol.

Give it a try and see if it helps you.

 

You can always get back at those CB warriors after you have finally parked. Chinatown had a brilliant idea of practicing singing opera with your outer curtains closed on the radio.

 

Backing a trailer isn’t rocket science unless there’s a wide open spot and a ####load of people watching you.

Then you need an advanced degree. If you get in there without hitting anything, and they can drop the dock leveler and make it onto your trailer, you’ve done a decent enough job. Unless you’re blocking another driver it’s fine.