Backing up into docks- Any advice ?

I just finished my CDL training and had issues with the 90 degree backing. We didn't have to put the trailer at a 45 degree from the loading area. We had to pull all the way forward and gradually back the trailer into the box. It took alot of practice and three different instructors telling me three different ways of doing it. The biggest thing is to "Get Out and Look" and to develop your own way of doing it. If you have to do 5 pull ups do it.....you will only get better. I am looking forward to seeing what "Real World" backing is.

 

I knew what you meant and that's why I agreed with you. I too was referring to steering. By taking it slow he or she is more likely to catch his or her mistakes, stop and analyze what they could had did different, reset and/or proceed.

 

Oh.. one other thing that I dingbat helps me.. again, I am a visual person.. so I always have it in my head what the trailer needs to do...

I always always always get out and look.. I walk around my whole truck and trailer and I look below and above.. then I get a visual of the path my tandums need to take.. piviot points and such..

Sometime there are things on the ground that I can use.. like a oil spot or something.. if there is not.. I always have some side walk chalk with me and can quickly and easily make a mark for me to have a visual point..

I get out and look always and often.. and more often then not no one gives me crap or laughs at me for it.. and those that would are idiots and I don't care about them...

It doesnt take long to get out and look and find and make marks.. and doing so helps me get back in without hitting anything.. and quicker..

 

Could you please grace us with videos of your superb expert backing skills? (unedited, 1st take only)
I'm sure not a single driver on TTR could match your expertise, so with videos we could all learn from "a real pro".

 

Had a driver from a mega try to blind side a dock with trucks on each side. After 10 mins a couple of us got out and helped. I was waiting for him so I could hit my dock. Asked him why he chose blind side and he said he didn't think he could get turned around after he came in the wrong entrance. Had plenty of room. He's been driving for 2 years. Always, always chose sight side if you can, even if you have to leave and come back the other entrance. Makes life so much easier.

 

Congrats on your development. As you improve and actually get out on the road I think you will eventually find that you look forward to opportunities to "get it in the hole" in real life. After some practice you'll gladly take that last parking spot in a tight truck stop, knowing that you'll "have a plan" for every situation.

 

Oh #### this #### again?!?!?! Please come down to Lexington Nebraska I'll run you over to the feed lot off darr road. You have 1 shot using my truck, with my 53 spread to hit the chute perfectly must be perfectly square. Oh and by the way do it after you've driven 1100 miles in the past 24 hours on 3 hours of sleep in the past 36...and did I mention you have nothing to guide you back but your tail lights at 3 a.m.? You go super trucker all the time when it comes to backing. I guarantee you there's feedlots and sale barns I've been to that would make you scratch you're head and wonder how to get into with a day cab and a 48.

 

I graduated from driving school back in June so I have a good idea of the backing manuevers they are teaching you. First of all relax, don't let any of the other students or the instructors get into your head. In the real world you are gonna have super kool truckers and cars honking and waiting on you so this is nothing. When I am backing into a dock that requires me to be at an angle I open my driver door and don't even bother using the mirror until I am straight enough to use it I find it more comfortable and easier to look at the trailer wheels this way. Find a reference point and draw an imaginary arch from the back trailer wheels to that reference point. Leave the steering wheel alone and make small adjustments if you need to, I noticed a lot of the guys at school would make way too many adjustments and just snake their way in, not good. I personally love to hug whatever is on MY side of the truck because I can obviously see it, if your too close remember to get as far into the hole as you can (lol hole) and then pull up. Its going to become routine for you, what I started to do in school after a while was set myself up in awkward positions/angles and get myself out of them and backed up to the dock. In the real world not every place is going to be easy so just learn how the truck/trailer react to your adjustments, and always remain cool and calm! Good luck out there!