I am having trouble with the 90 degree "banana dock"

I am not sure about other places, but my school(state run) has it, and a couple alley docks(east, west) and 100 ft straight line forward/reverse stopping at the rear of the trailer in the box on the pull through and the nose of the tractor on the reverse.

I appreciate it, I am not completely messing up this maneuver but I get to certain points and I am like in the real world, pulling up would just be a lot easier, but I understand why they do it for the test. And now thinking back, I believe I am getting the trailer straight in the alley TOO SOON(not keeping the jack in it long enough), so when I bring the tractor back around its completely messing things up.

On Monday we get to practice more, and I believe we start the parallel parking practice. Though for that maneuver we are using the day cab auto with the short trailer and I much prefer the manual cab over/freightliners at school. We do get 2 pull ups for that maneuver and a GOAL I believe.

 

The alley dock was the toughest for everyone in my class (none of us had prior experience). I devised my own style of doing it which has made it easy. I imagine a curved line on my tire and the cone and try to follow it until I am in the hole. If you break out of this imaginary line, straighten up your wheels and pull forward to start over. I also do not jack knife it. I make small turns and the closer I get I may turn it harder if necessary. Because if you jack knife you may get the trailer in there but when you try to straighten out your truck your trailer will roll outside the cones. It does take practice and once you get out on the road and have to blindside alley dock at night in the rain between two trucks on a steep hill with huge potholes, that training alley dock will look too easy lol.

 

I never did learn how to 90 degree in school.Was spose to but something always came up and kept forgrtting to train us.I can do it now but try not to and blindside unless I absolutely have to.Just take your time and do babysteps till you get it in the dock and most importantly,GET OUT AND LOOK(GOAL)

 

My worse Ally dock in the real world was in a place where my 379 Pete was 90 degrees to the trailer when docked with a block wall 8 inches beside my tractor out the passenger window. I said " God, I can't do this by myself, a lot of people are watching me. Could you help me please?" Then I started my set up and turn and nailed it on the first try. So.... a prayer may help also.

 

Amen.

Works for me too.

 

Amen
I've prayed every day of class, and I am still continuing to do so in regards to this maneuver that's kicking my butt.

 

Funny that there ally dock maneuver....

I was at a place today and had to turn around.
A lot of dry van's were docking/unloading. And guess what? NO turn around area.

So I had to back my tanker between two dry van's and then pull back out the way I came in.

Done it with one pull up. Just to straighten my tractor out so I could head back out.

I just wanted to tell ya to get the school part down to pass the CDL because it was actually my trainer, along the way before I went solo, who I have to thank for my success today.

He taught me to swing in, curve out, and leave my truck pointing at the angle I have to come back with the trailer. NOT the OTHER way where you then have to move both truck and trailer. They never taught us that in school. Never had to worry about it.

I was at a reservoir yesterday. Shoulda seen it. Like going down a mountain using a logging trail lol. Got to the bottom and oh, the fun. Turn arounds and backing into extremely tight quarters with dump truck, yuke's, fork loaders, other trucks, all waiting for YOU to hurry and PARK that truck, so they can get by.

fun