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Post by racingturtle on Mar 12, 2005 16:50:15 GMT -5
I'm a new driver with approximately 15,000 miles of solo experience under the belt. I've had some really bad backing days/moments but with each day things do seem to be getting better. Generally speaking if I'm backing into a spot beside or between trailer/s already parked I can manage without too much difficulty. Same holds true if there is a line or old track on the ground to follow back to the dock. My real problem is backing dead on straight/perpendicular to a dock if all I have for a target is the dock bumper or curtain. I eventually pull it off but it is unduly agonizing and time consuming for what appears to be a relatively "straight forward" maneuver. Can anyone provide any tips/suggestions on how to improve my technique?
thanks rt
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Post by truckertom on Mar 12, 2005 17:11:01 GMT -5
I have seen guys take an old cone and line it up where the truck will be at a 90 degree if they back it up right beside the cone. Some use a flashlight at night if it is dark, but it is an art the will come with time.
shat is tough is when all the other trucks are at a slight angle an it seems that as the dock fills up they get crookeder as you go down the line. It is nice when they have a line on the ground to keep you straight, but you know how it goes by now.
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Post by Rachelle on Mar 25, 2005 1:25:17 GMT -5
About the only other thing you can use are tire marks on the ground or in the gravel.
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Post by Scott on Mar 26, 2005 7:50:25 GMT -5
Another thing that I have done is, get out of the truck before setting up for it. Stand in front of the dock facing away from the dock and look for a land mark in front of you. (Something you would see when you are in the dock, looking out the winshield.) If you are lined up in the dock square, that landmark will be dead-on in front of you.
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Post by truckertom on Mar 27, 2005 18:55:43 GMT -5
"Another thing that I have done is, get out of the truck before setting up for it. Stand in front of the dock facing away from the dock and look for a land mark in front of you."
Another good one!
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Post by racingturtle on Apr 12, 2005 19:35:15 GMT -5
time flies - miles may or may not
thanks Scott - I will give this a shot - It makes perfect sense.
P.S. There seems to be some humor in this approach / I'm still workin' on refining the humor (as well as the backin')
RE: still working on the humor part
basic/rough concept ...... "look ahead to see your behind"
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Post by Pcuthbert on Apr 17, 2005 10:39:01 GMT -5
You can also take a couple of 2X4s. Place one along where you will want your tires to loine up, and then one more parallel to the dock just about where your tires will be when you touch the dock.
If you don't want to carry 2X4s (always handy when you have to jack up the steering axle for a flat- drive up onto the 2X4s with the flat so you can get the jack under the axle), you can use some 3 inch wide flagging tape or cut off web straps.
Pat
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Post by mudshark on Jul 25, 2005 10:36:29 GMT -5
I've only driven about 5 months on my own, but when I do backs that are difficult for me, the one thing that helps the most is to SLOW DOWN and take my time. I've gotten excellent results when I back 8 or 10 feet, stop, then make whatever needed adjustment, back 8 or 10 feet more, make needed adjustment, back 8 or 10 feet more and so on. Good luck.
mudshark
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Post by truckertom on Nov 24, 2005 12:00:57 GMT -5
Kinda like the G.O.A.L. (get out and look) system...good advice.
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