Does Any Experienced Drivers Have Any Tips On Alley Docking?
Topic 6961 | Page 1
The biggest key to alley dock is to figure out when to start following the trailer into the spot. I can tell you from my experience that I never relied on the mirrors at all for this maneuver. I was always hanging my head out the window watching the cones. Just remember to not be afraid to get that trailer turning. Also if I remember correctly that you don't want the tractor straight when your done, the examiner should be able to look down the left side of the trailer and see the tractor at an angle. At least it was that way in Maine. Of course like with any of the skills set up is going to be the key. If you get this part wrong then nothing is going to go right. Good luck
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Thank you so much!!! Very big help!
The biggest key to alley dock is to figure out when to start following the trailer into the spot. I can tell you from my experience that I never relied on the mirrors at all for this maneuver. I was always hanging my head out the window watching the cones. Just remember to not be afraid to get that trailer turning. Also if I remember correctly that you don't want the tractor straight when your done, the examiner should be able to look down the left side of the trailer and see the tractor at an angle. At least it was that way in Maine. Of course like with any of the skills set up is going to be the key. If you get this part wrong then nothing is going to go right. Good luck
I'd check with your examiner if it's okay to stick head out. Some will DQ you for that as it does pose a safety hazard.
Set up is the key though.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
The biggest key to alley dock is to figure out when to start following the trailer into the spot. I can tell you from my experience that I never relied on the mirrors at all for this maneuver. I was always hanging my head out the window watching the cones. Just remember to not be afraid to get that trailer turning. Also if I remember correctly that you don't want the tractor straight when your done, the examiner should be able to look down the left side of the trailer and see the tractor at an angle. At least it was that way in Maine. Of course like with any of the skills set up is going to be the key. If you get this part wrong then nothing is going to go right. Good luck
I'd check with your examiner if it's okay to stick head out. Some will DQ you for that as it does pose a safety hazard.
Set up is the key though.
Yeah that's how it is in Utah we was not allowed to hang out the window
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Well if I wasn't allowed to he never said anything to me. Either way just make sure you get yourself a good view of the trailer tandems so you know when to chase with that tractor.
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
I couldn't back for crap until my trainer shared this with me: You do not have to always have the wheels turned on the truck. Do not be afraid to straighten your truck wheels and let the trailer drift into place. This makes it a lot easier to chase since you have more time and less turning of the wheel, and it's much easier to add more pivot or stay neutral and easier to judge.
Also: Once the trailer is I'm the hole NEVER take it out. If that means pulling up six inches and going back and doing that ten times to only keep the ass in the spot then that's what you do.
After those tips I've been Docking 90 and 45 all day no problems. Good luck!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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I have a DOT test coming up and i'm really struggling to get the alley docking down. Is there any pointers on an easy way to do it and what tips do you have? What should I be looking for in my mirrors and how do I know when to straighten it out and when it put forward?
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.