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- 1). Look at the traffic in the area where you want to park the big rig. Decide whether this is a good location to park. Make your assessment based on personal judgment and driving ability. Not every trucker can park with ease.
- 2). Make a plan of how you want to park. In this plan decide what angle you need to park at to least disturb street traffic. Turn on the four-way flashers so pedestrians and commuters know you are preparing to back the big rig.
- 3). Increase the pressure on the gas pedal and make sure you have the transmission in a low gear. A big rig has as a minimum 18 gears. The low gears are 1 thru 8. It is best to park in gears 1, 2 and 3. Drive forward to position the truck so that backing up is in a straight line. Backing up straight is the easiest and least dangerous way to park a big rig.
- 4). Select where you want the doors of the trailer so that when you unload freight there is as little lifting and carrying as possible. Use the mirrors to back the big rig up to the bay doors of where you want to park. For safety purposes, don't lean out the truck window. Drive the big rig backwards using the clutch, brake and the gas pedals to control the speed the truck is moving. Creep into the parking space.
- 5). Analyze your position and stop before you hit the rubber pads on the exterior wall of the bay opening. Push down on the brake pedal only and put the gear shift in first. Set the air brakes by pulling the lever up to lock the brake in position. Shut the engine off and get out of the truck and evaluate your parking job.
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