Alley Docking (CDL Student Looking For Additional Advice)
Topic 1364 | Page 1
I am currently a CDL student with SAGE Technical Services. I am trying to gain some additional insights or tips that would help me with alley docking. I have made the alley dock twice, but all other attempts so far have put me in ,what I can only describe as, the spot right next to where I want to be. I understand my issue is timing since I can clearly make the necessary turn to complete an alley dock. Is there some cue or specific situation I need to watch out for that would help me to make the turn on time? This is my biggest obstacle right now, and I want to be able to nail this thing on the head every time.
I graduated from SAGE as well, what location are you at?
My instructors there were great at teaching me backing maneuvers as well as overall driving. I NEARLY broke the school record by only a few points in their old Peterbilt. I also scored a 0 on my backing maneuvers for the final CDL test. which means no mistakes!
I've gotten pretty rusty with my alley dock back because I never use it anymore. during school I was great at it and could do it with no pull ups sometimes. first try.
My tips would be to watch your angles between your truck and trailer. never go too much or else it will put you right next to your target when you try to follow through to straighten up. What I would do is watch your rear corner of your trailer and the first corner cone and use that as a guide to where you want your trailer to be. at a certain point after your trailer begins to enter the "dock" you will want to start chasing your trailer to straighten up. Also if you feel like you are off course try to correct it before the problem gets worse instead of having to start all over again.
If anything, use your instructors as much as possible. Ask questions, when you are doing your alley dock just stop and ask them if you are unsure. They will be your best bet for help at this point.
ALSO! GET OUT AND LOOK! in the real world you have as many "Get out and looks" as you want. if it helps getting out and looking every 10ft. do it because it might help you with seeing your angles from a different point of view. maybe after you start your approach you stand at the entrance of the "dock" to see if you are on course. After a few successful docks you will be doing it with no problem, maybe not even having to get out and look until you have the last 5 - 10ft to the back.
Good luck to ya and hope you get it down!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
Check out stud puppies thread. It's here on the first page. I wrote an essay on that thread of my techniques when I was learning. Maybe it'll help you out
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I am currently a CDL student with SAGE Technical Services. I am trying to gain some additional insights or tips that would help me with alley docking. I have made the alley dock twice, but all other attempts so far have put me in ,what I can only describe as, the spot right next to where I want to be. I understand my issue is timing since I can clearly make the necessary turn to complete an alley dock. Is there some cue or specific situation I need to watch out for that would help me to make the turn on time? This is my biggest obstacle right now, and I want to be able to nail this thing on the head every time.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.