Tandem placement and alleydocking

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by expedite_it, Feb 27, 2022.

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  1. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    Preface to thread: Let's please not make this thread about me. I didn't create this thread to read your judgments about me. This thread should strictly be about how tandem placement affects alleydocking.

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    I created a wonderful thread about tandem placement and turning radius when driving forward. That thread had a lot of mighty interesting information on it. Now I think it is time for a thread about tandem placement when performing an alleydock back. I am curious as to how tandem placement affects alleydocking.

    My first inclination is to think that tandem placement does not affect the amount of forward space needed when performing an alleydock back because I think the nose of the trailer follows the tractor the same no matter where the tandems are placed. But I don't definitely know that tandem placement does not affect the amount of forward space needed when performing an alleydock back.

    I submit the following drawing to help define what area of forward space I am talking about when I ask how tandem placement affects forward space:
    Alleydocking 2.jpg


    In the drawing, I use the directions north, south, east , and west not to denote compass directions, but to denote forward space. Position #1 in the drawing is the truck's position just before the set up. Position #2 is the truck's position after setting up , right before the truck starts backing up towards the parking spot. The truck is trying to back up to the parking spot where there is a star. The forward space to the North is the space to the right of the truck driver in the truck in position #1. The forward space to the West is the space directly in front of the truck driver in the truck in position #1.

    Does tandem placement affect the amount of forward space to the NORTH that you need to make an alleydock back? For example, if the tandems are all the way to the rear, do you need more or less or an equal amount of forward space to the NORTH than if the tandems are all the way forward?

    Does tandem placement affect the amount of forward space to the WEST that you need to make an alleydock back? For example, if the tandems are all the way to the rear, do you need more or less or an equal amount of forward space to the WEST than if the tandems are all the way forward?
     
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  3. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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  4. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    This is the first time I made a thread about tandem placement and alleydocking.
     
    Kyle G. Thanks this.
  5. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    To quote my favorite driving instructor from many years ago... “just drive the truck.”

    Edit: I might make that my new profile signature. LOL
     
    JoeyJunk and TROOPER to TRUCKER Thank this.
  6. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    if you go read all the answers on your other threads about tandem placement while going forward, then realize the same logic applies to going backward (only in reverse), then you have your answer.
     
  7. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    Alex can I buy a clue? LOL
     
  8. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    99BD823B-DD57-4096-A2D7-F13EFDBF96BD.jpeg
     
  9. expedite_it

    expedite_it Road Train Member

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    The answers about tandem placement when driving forward said that sliding the tandems forward allowed me to maneuver the tractor-trailer around the obstacle because sliding the tandems forward reduced off-tracking. In other words, sliding the tandems forward caused the path of the trailer to follow the path of the tractor closer.

    In reverse, the tractor follows the trailer. So are you saying that when the tandems are slid forward (towards the tractor) and one is traveling in reverse, the the path of the tractor follows the path of the trailer closer than if the tandems are slid all the way to the rear of the trailer? If so, how does that affect the amount of forward space needed? If so, it seems to me that having the tandems slid forward would cause one to need less forward space both to the North and to the West since the trailer is moving in a southeast direction. Am I correct?
     
  10. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    This has to be seen as trolling by this point. As there's no way a driver of 7 years has no idea how tandems impact trailer movement. A driver should have this understanding by 90 days of work.
     
  11. REO6205

    REO6205 Road Train Member

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    My favorite was an old guy that said..."It's a machine, it does what you make it do".
     
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