Backing up into docks- Any advice ?

oh and lastly... I find it easiest to make all direction changes (except during straightline backing) while I have come to a complete stop i.e. like during parallel

 

That's very good Advice, the only thing that sucks is when you got pipes in the way trying to back into a dock!

 

i'm sure that'd suck... but get out and look...

 

oh and lastly no one ever says that driver is an idiot cause they got out and looked and made sure they would have no issue backing into a dock... but EVERYONE will call that driver an idiot if they wreck the building, truck, trailer, person, equipment, whatever if it could have been prevented

better to look uncool than to fail to get it done safely

 

Sorry, should have clarified that, I meant exhaust pipes outside the door when trying to back up.

 

They say that driver is an idiot if the takes an hour to put the truck in door with 3 empty spaces on each side and holds up the only entrance to the lot trying to get it done. I should also mention that that guy did graduate from Swift lovely driving academy.

 

oh... well then quit running kenworth or customizing your peterbilt with things that make your truck undriveable ... lol... seriously though, you're right that would make it harder

well they may be an idiot... but if no damage done... at least no damage.

but that driver needs to learn how to do it properly and in a REASONABLE amount of time

 

Backing is something trial & error ( hopefully not by hitting anything, but I mean by maybe having to pull forward a few extra times ) will take care of itself in time...not something anyone can teach or tell you how to do. Drawing an imaginary line & following it has always helped me. With time & practice practice practice you'll get better. It helps to take your time also. Good luck!

 

Negative... I didn't say back up fast. I said to steer and counter steer fast.

 

The OP was asking for fundamentals on how to set up for proper backing into the dock for the DMV test. IMHO the set up is everything. If you don't set up properly then as a rookie or student it is easy to get lost regarding when and how hard to jack the truck.

Here's the fundamental way to set up. If you draw the dock on the bottom of a piece of paper with the opening facing up, then imagine a clock with 12 o'clock being straight up and parallel to the position the trailer will be in when you finish docking, 9 o'clock is facing left and 3 o'clock is facing right:

1. Drive perpendicular to the dock (from 3 o'clock toward 9 o'clock) about 6 feet away from the opening of the dock (or in the real world about 6 feet away from the line of trucks). The trailer should be straight behind you.

2. Move straight forward until your tractor tandems straddle the far side cone (in the real world I want the front set of tires just ahead of the line I need to follow straight into the dock). STOP when you reach this point.

3. While stopped turn your wheel all the way to the right.

4. Move forward until your tractor points toward 12 o'clock. Stop.

5. While stopped turn your wheel all the way to the left.

6. Move forward until your tractor points toward 9 o'clock. Stop.

7. While stopped turn your wheel straight ahead (toward 9 o'clock).

8. Move forward about 10 feet.

Now you are in position to turn the wheel all the way to the right and begin backing. Your trailer tandems will be in position to move back slightly as the backing jackknife begins and you should be able to then pivot around those tandems until you feel you can begin turning the wheel hard to the left so the tractor begins to "follow" (get in front of the trailer).