ELDT Backing and Docking 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'jackknifing' during a backing maneuver?
- When the trailer swings past 90 degrees to the tractor and folds (Correct answer)
- When the brakes lock during backing
- When the trailer's landing gear digs into the ground
- When the tractor loses traction on ice
Correct answer: When the trailer swings past 90 degrees to the tractor and folds
Jackknifing occurs when the angle between the tractor and trailer exceeds a safe limit (past 90 degrees), causing the trailer to fold sharply against the tractor.
Question 2: Before backing into a dock, what should a driver inspect on foot?
- Only the dock bumpers
- The dock height, overhead clearances, the ground for obstacles, and the pathway (Correct answer)
- Only the trailer landing gear
- Only other trucks in adjacent stalls
Correct answer: The dock height, overhead clearances, the ground for obstacles, and the pathway
A pre-backing walk-around should check dock height, overhead obstacles, the ground for debris or people, and ensure the pathway is clear.
Question 3: What should a driver do if the trailer begins to drift off target during a blind-side backing maneuver?
- Accelerate to correct faster
- Pull forward to reposition and start again if needed (Correct answer)
- Continue backing and use the horn to warn others
- Turn the wheel sharply in the opposite direction at speed
Correct answer: Pull forward to reposition and start again if needed
Pulling forward to reposition gives the driver a fresh angle and better control rather than attempting to correct a large error while still moving backward.
Question 4: What is the proper use of hazard lights when backing to a dock in a busy yard?
- Hazard lights are not required for yard movements
- Activate hazard lights to warn nearby pedestrians and vehicles of the backing movement (Correct answer)
- Use hazard lights only in rain or fog
- Hazard lights should be off so other drivers know you are in control
Correct answer: Activate hazard lights to warn nearby pedestrians and vehicles of the backing movement
Activating hazard lights alerts other yard workers and drivers that the truck is actively backing, improving overall safety in busy dock areas.
Question 5: How should a driver handle a dock approach when dock bumpers are damaged or missing?
- Back in at normal speed since the trailer has its own protection
- Report the condition and back with extra care to avoid striking the dock (Correct answer)
- Refuse to dock until bumpers are repaired
- Let the trailer contact the dock to test its condition
Correct answer: Report the condition and back with extra care to avoid striking the dock
Missing or damaged bumpers increase the risk of dock damage and injury; the driver should report it and proceed with extra caution to protect equipment and personnel.
Question 6: During backing, which technique helps prevent jackknifing?
- Making large, fast steering corrections
- Keeping the trailer as straight as possible and using small steering inputs (Correct answer)
- Accelerating quickly to straighten the trailer
- Turning the wheel fully to one side to realign the trailer
Correct answer: Keeping the trailer as straight as possible and using small steering inputs
Small, smooth steering corrections keep the trailer tracking properly and prevent the sharp angles that lead to jackknifing.
Question 7: What is the recommended backing speed for docking a tractor-trailer?
- As fast as possible to reduce exposure time
- Fast enough to maintain momentum but never above 5 mph
- Extremely slow — almost at idle speed (Correct answer)
- Speed does not matter as long as you use mirrors
Correct answer: Extremely slow — almost at idle speed
Backing should be done at the slowest possible speed (near idle) to give the driver maximum reaction time and control over the trailer's movement.
ELDT Backing and Docking 2
What is 'jackknifing' during a backing maneuver?