Why is offset parking the hardest obsticle

Use Goal and your pull ups for the dock park, offsets and parallel. The dock park wasnt a part of my driving exam, but is part of my test tomorrow at a local company. Yeah Im nervous lol

I believe you get 2 free pull ups for the offset and the parallel

 

At most company's they do not have a limit for pulling up or getting out.
The rule is that you got it into the hole and did not hit anything. You can impress yourself all day long if you want too, not having to pull up or get out.
But you are the only one impressed. We just do not want you hitting our trucks.

 

If thats the case, I will have no pride. I will pull up even if I dont have to.

 

In Kansas, at least the last time I took someone up to Salina to test, they give you one pull up and one GOAL on a straight line backing. Every other backing...dock, parallel and offset you were allowed two of each. Any more was a point deduction.

As for parallel, the only place I've ever needed it was at rest areas.

 

I can remember a trip I got that picked up at the Galveston Convention Center. The dock was around back of the building. to get there you had to turn off of an alley on the side of the building and go between the building and a fence that was just wide enough for the truck to fit. I couldnt get my truck to make the turn. After I took a short break to calm my nerves, I looked around and saw a Kroger accross the alley from the Conv. Center. I saw that thier driveway was almost straight accross from the driveway of the Center. So I asked if it was ok to back into thier parking lot so I woould have a straight shot up the ramp and around the back of the building. I got the OK and up I went. I got around to the back side and saw that it was a blind side 45 to get to the dock. Now the room up here was unbelievabley tight as well. I guess I should tell ya Im pulling a 48' flatbed with a 2005 Frieghtshaker Classic. So I have the "Spotter" they gave me, stand around with a stupid look on his face and point in various directions while I tried to get this thing in its hole. I was there for what seemed like an hour pulling back and forth, left and right and still nothing. I just couldnt seem to get it. It was time for a break again. I got out and smoked a cigarette. There were trucks waiting but they coould keep on waiting. I looked at what I needed to do and did it in my mind while I smoked that cigarette and when I got back in the truck it took me about 5 minutes to put that truck in that hole.

After that if I have trouble I just stop and relax. Thats the most important thing. If you freak out you will never get it done.

 

I better start smoking!

 

Off set parking & parallel parking are the exact same moves. Only one of them has a curb. If you can do one, you should be able to do the other.
Ricky

 

LMAO! NO Im not sayin that! Do what you gotta do but the main thing is stay calm and don't panic. Dont worry about holding up that next driver, worry about YOU.

 

IMO, that's the entire key to backing...don't get frustrated. Once you start getting ticked off, you're done....at least I am.

I've struggled getting into spots in some truck stops after a long day and get mad at myself quickly. Then I'll be setting there doing my log and watch guys just whip right around and back in. Makes me even more frustrated.

But I've noticed that if I am not dead tired and stay relaxed, it's so much easier.

 

Even if you are tired from a long day of working, once you pull into that truck stop, remind yourself to get back into your A game, stay alert, and don't do anything stupid because it's late and you're tired.

The only times I've impressed myself was doing a blind side 90 at a shipper and another time at a drop yard instead of doing a blind side 90, I swung the trailer around 275 degrees and when I stopped I was set up for a driver's side 90.

Oh, and another tip if you're getting frustrated with a backing. If you have the room in front of you, slide the tandems all the way back. Backing a trailer with the tandems all the way to back is ridiculously easier than if they're all the way forward. Again..if you have the room in front of you to do it. Some times you do, some times you don't.