Alley dock frustration, will I ever get good at it?

You will get it been there done that. A plenty more will tell you the same thing. I had to do it today myself. Each time it can be different depending on what is around you.
The setup is basically the same. You just have to get out & look as mean times as necessary. The more you do it the more skill you will develop & experience you will gain to be better in the future.

Think about it this way you use to mess your pantsD) but you learn to use the toilet & we are sure glad you didn't quit.
Keep that same determination & you will smell better & will all smile in the end. Keep up the good work.

 

If you don’t hit nothing. You’re doing great. Nothing else matters.

 

the above is all true. I've been out here on my own for almost 90 days. I still don't hit things perfectly. Heck, no where even close. But each backing I do. I am doing a little bit better. Sometimes you have to take a breath. Don't over think when backing. That used to bite me in the booty. I'd start to go based on feel. Then start to think and F it up.

 

I don’t know about your analogy man. The toilet thing worked out great until I had to start alley docking. Then I started messing my myself again.

What got me over the top was to stop over thinking it. Just drive that trailer. But, here’s a couple of tips.

1. Back up slow. Rookies tend to go too fast and end up looking like a sidewinder yanking that wheel back and forth trying to catch up.

2. Use the space out front that’s available. Another rookie mistake I see is the pilgrim will be jack knifing the hell out of his truck and there’ll be 50’ feet in front of him. USE THAT SPACE!

3. Be confident and have a “If that flip flop wearing low brow can do it, I can do it!”.

4. Finally, have a reward for yourself when you show some improvement.

Example, once you show some improvement, reward yourself with a nice, plump, Kentuckian.

Am I getting through to you fella?

 

Back when I was training, I learned to stop trying to teach them what I know about backing up. I would end up confusing them. Everybody processes it differently and learns on their own terms.

outside of getting out and looking and assessing a lot, I only had one rule. Go slow.

Just go slow.

And when you get confident and you know you got this...Go slower.

 

Run over something tomorrow, and you'll realize how good you did today.

 

Always roll your window down. It won't help you back up but help you hear when you hit something or someone is trying to yell at you

 

One thing I was always taught was, you're driving the trailer not the truck. I used to carry chalk with me and if it was a paved/cement lot I'd set up to back in and then get out and draw a line on my driver's side right to where I had to back into. It helped a lot. Don't listen to criticism unless it's constructive. Don't panic if you can't get in somewhere, take some breaths, get out, and make a plan that will work out best for you. It always helps to have a mental picture of the things you can't see while backing.