Why has my alley dock gone to hell?

Maybe the timing you had down pat with the day cab is messing you up. Longer combinations are slower than the quickness of the shorter ones.

 

Yea its jus ur timing. In school u back using timing and landmarks. Now since ur in a sleeper u have to practice by seeing ur target and backing that way. Don't worry take ur time and G.O.A.L. Some ppl dont like getting out and looking because they dont wanna look like they dont kno what they're doing infront of the other drivers. My opinion on that is I would rather get out and have job than try and look cool hit somethin and be without a job.

 

Cut yourself some slack! You are a brand new driver! Plus now you have people watching and you are in the real world so the pressure is on and your nervs are up. Kind of like backing into a space at 7pm at the truckstop! Everyone is watching and waiting for you. You need to keep in mind that nervs aren't going to help so forget about what people are watching and thinking and get the job done. Take your time and get out and look as many times as needed. A driver that doesn't do so is not a professional driver! Sorry Catfish not taking your words just reiterating your good advice! Now when you have time to yourself and have an empty parking lot then practice your backing. Just because you are out of school doesn't mean you are done learning.

 

The turning radius of your tractor is about twice that of a daycab. So as you straighten out the bend, it takes more room and time. You'll get use to it. It just takes time for you to 'grasp' the concept of space relations of the tractor and trailer.
As Catfish said...GOAL! Don't be embarrassed. I still do it 39 years later. and so do a lot of old timers.

 

I had the same problem, learnt to drive in a 379 long hood pete, first job was pulling a tanker with a pup, couldnt back that up at all... i think the pup was making it a bit harder

 

Not only that but the turning radius can vary greatly from truck to truck. W9's are a trick to get used to! So are long noses!

Thanks for the words Emulsified! There is a driver who has been doing this 38 years or so and G.O.A.L.'s! It's a hell of a lot more embarrassing hitting someone than getting out to look! Getting out to look in no way means you aren't a good driver! It means you are a professional with a spotless record! There is no reason what so ever you should EVER have a backing accident! Another really important factor in backing is to go SLOW! Going slow not only allows for judgement calls but gives you more time for correction and avoiding mistakes.

 

It will come in time driver!

It will get easier but NOBODY ever gets perfect at it! There will be times where for some strange reason you just cant hit the hole to save your life!