How to bump a Dock... Jack-knifed?

I completely agree with you on the major points:

1. It's not easy.

2. It's trial and error.

You are trying to get to a full 90° jacknife when the center of the tandems are perfectly lined up to the dock EXACTLY the right distance to be able to swing the trailer sideways and match up to the dock.

If you misjudged it and are going to hit the dock before it gets square, go a little beyond 90° (95-100°) to pull the tandems away from the dock, but BE CAREFUL you don't go all US EXPRESS and tear up the fairings!

 

You know the dock is difficult when all the warehouse folks come out to watch and start taking bets. The best way to deal with that situation is set the parking brakes, get out and get some skin in the game. "What's the over under for pull ups?"

 

Dont be shy to go back inside and ask for a new door. Nothing wrong with being humble.

I have done that twice. Not sure if the lady didnt like me or just gave me a hard spot to back into.

69

 

I had a dock like that in Oregon a year ago that I had to visit every week for a pick up. It's all trial and error, and while I knew what to expect, it was still difficult to line up with the bumpers on the dock and required a lot of pull ups. The biggest problem was that even when you get the pivot correct and get the trailer in the hole stright, the trailer might be a few inches off with the dock and you have to start over just to move the trailer over a few inches. It really sucked.

 

Here's some vids that might be helpful... 90 degree alley dock - YouTube

 

Better check that dock and make sure it is strong to hold up with the force you will be exerting on that, it is best to just drop the trailer and rehook when all is done so your truck is not tweaked after all that.

 

33 years, never broke a dock, truck or trailer doing it.

 

I tweaked the cushion on one once and the screaming that came after was not worth the hassle and with all the pull ups needed are hard on the truck. I need to make things last as long as possible so I just get it in right and unhook, pissing everyone off who wants by right now.