Alley Dock Skills Test

This may not help. But, I saw on another post to try using a tractor trailer toy. You know the kids kind and try backing it up. Might give you an overview of the situation.

 

In NC, we only have to do a 45 degree dock for the test. There is a general skills test that we have to do in our last session for class which includes the 90 degree alley dock (and I actually have to do that tomorrow come to think of it...)

The trick I've found is to actually point your tractor to the left when you are pulling up. Not drastically, but right before you come to a stop and start backing, turn 'er to maybe a twenty degree angle so that the tractor/trailer combo is already bent in the direction you want to go. Start backing 'er, turning your wheel to the right until the arc of your trailer will bring you just inside that first cone (not lined up with it when you stop turning, but judge that arc until it will bring you in...once you get it, you'll have it) and hold her steady. Then, when the back edge of the trailer is almost at the cone (within inches maybe...) crank that wheel hard right until the trailer starts to back in and straighten out and crank 'er back left as fast as you can.

That's the way I do it. Took me ten tries to get it the first time, but I haven't missed since.

 

Our setup wasn't like that. It was at a 45 degree angle to the dock. We just backed it in with a turn to the right, then back to the left to follow it in.

As far as once you are out of the test... I always try to setup the same way if possible, which is come in close to the docks, once my mirror gets to the edge of the space I want to go into I turn right to angle my trailer, then back left to where I can see my sight side (leaving room on my right to where I can correct if needed). Normally, I don't have to turn right to make it turn faster, just back straight, then turning left and following in.