the empty dock slant back

You are not the only one. Just don't sweat it. It will get better with time. I currently drive a Prostar and I have never had such a problem backing as I do with this truck. For some reason the mirrors on this truck just don't suit me.

 

Set a reference point

Hard hat works good

Just flip on the light if its dark out.

Don't have one?

Lucky you... they are on sale right now at Hess or loves...just go pee....I don't remember which one

 

Next time you are in a spot that has lines on both sides of the truck...like a pull through parking spot at a truck stop...make sure the truck is centered in the spot and then get in the cab.

Look at both mirrors, and take a 'snapshot' of what the angle of the line is compared to the trailer. In your mind's eye, those two lines should be parallel...but in reality, they are not.

Ever look down a set of railroad tracks? Wonder why they appear to converge together in the distance when you know they never do? It's called perspective. It's the way we humans comprehend things with our stereo/binocular vision.

When you're backing without any other frame of reference, it is difficult to get that perspective right. It comes with time, but when you do the exercise with the truck perfectly in between a set of lines in the parking spot, look in the mirrors and see how the line appears farther away from the front or middle of the trailer and appears to get closer when you look at the rear of the trailer. That same 'illusion' occurs on the driver and passenger sides, so look in the mirrors and get a good idea of what the right mental picture looks like.

Next time you're backing and there is a guide line on the driver's side, remember that you have to make the back of the trailer 'closer' to the the line than the middle and front. If you don't, the driver's side of the trailer is going to be closer to the dock than the passenger side.

Hopefully this helps...I know it is probably about as clear as mud. Once you get that perspective down, you'll be less likely to back in crooked.

 

I used to have that problem and if I had to guess you're primarily if not solely using the drivers side mirror to back. When I learned to use both mirrors equally it really helped me out

 

I know the feeling.tyson has a few of those funny docks.All kinds of room to back but such a ####eyed angle.Keep an aye on the lines marking the dock and the sides of your trl and make sure your trl is inside those 2 lines.

 

The lines on the ground are crooked at half the docks I go to so they are hit or miss. Running LTL, I back into docks all day long and I back in crooked all the time, As long as the dock plate sits good, I don't care.

 

Look for tire tracks from the trucks that came before you. Line up with those. Don't sweat it.