Indoor Docks

 

Truckers definitely don't like them. I have seen many trailer doors leaning up against a wall instead of where they started. Hinges get broken. Trailers get scratched. Backing into a place that you can't see isn't easy. There are a few “old dog” tricks combined with basic principles that make it easier.

 

G.O.A.L. (get out and look) is always important. Scout out the spot that you are backing into. What are the obstacles? Is there anything hanging too low? Most door are wide enough for 2 trailers. Is the trailer next to you straight? If it is use it to make sure that you are straight too. Many indoor docks have yellow lines. Some docks are equipped with lights. Check to see where your trailer needs to be in relation to those lights. Use the tools and check points to help guide your trailer.

 

Make sure that your mirrors are perfectly clear and roll your windows down. Clean the mirrors again before you back up. If possible leave your trailer doors closed until you get inside the building. Close them again before you exit the outside dock door. You might not be able have the clearance to do this with both doors. Can you do it with one? Use a spotter if you can. There is that time when the cab is in the sunlight and the trailer is in the dark. It is almost impossible to see. Leaving your marker lights on will help.

 

My favorite “old dog” trick is to light my flashlight and place it on the dock. I put it about a foot from where the drivers side of my trailer needs to hit the dock. Other drivers seem to get a kick out of this one. I have had drivers laugh when they see me do this. Then they get their flashlight out and do the same thing. This can be a good “brotherhood” moment. It has helped open up discussions with other drivers. Many a conversation has started with my flashlight trick.

 

Be careful pulling out. I have seen drivers take their time backing into a spot. They are careful. They may get out several times and look when they get to that light/dark spot when it is hard to see. Then on the way out they rip a door off.

I still struggle with indoor docks. Most OTR drivers do. Sometimes I think that those that don't struggle are the ones who rip doors off. The old biblical phrase applies. It is better to humble yourself, and be made great then to boast and be made humble. Who knew that it applies to indoor docks? If you have any “old dog” tricks let me know. Are there new tricks out there that you could teach me? Let me know, because I still struggle with indoor docks.

Comments (6)

Jeff Clark

Jeff Clark of Kewaunee, WI has been driving a truck for 24 years. He has been an owner operator for 11 years.

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Good tips everyone, thanks!

March 08, 2014 6:52:22 AM

solid tips Shalom -the brake light one is a great one that I had not thought of. Great points-I think walking around outside of the truck at an inside dock could be an entire blog. My worst indoor docking ever was actually into a barn to pick up cotton seed. The concrete was higher that the ground and if I did not roll fast enough I would get hung up-and going fast is the last thing you want to do at an inside dock.

March 08, 2014 4:00:12 AM

i do those quite a lot nowdays. for obvious rezones, my costumers docks are a bit more challenging then most. this is where a CDL driving school comes to play, as most of my habits started back in the days, when there was an instructor on hand.
pulling a flatbed trailer require backing into a building many times. adding to that an 108" wide trailer, that will be ripped off on touch & you really needs to take your time.
some of my dedicated costumers have it so tight that they use tires guide rails to guide the trailer into place. {they do so because it is a side load} this will create an even greater challenge, as i plan of switching the trailer rims soon from 2" offset to .5" offset, wondering IF i can master the task after the switch.
i once had a horrible experience in one of those Chicago docks. not only that it was an inside job, but it was also like a bucket inside where the trailer nose was pointing toward the roof. they then told me to drop the trailer so they can closed the overhead door. which i did... big mistake. as i could not hook up back to the trailer. to make it worst, while trying to hook up i ripped off an airbag. had to call a tow truck to pull the empty trailer from the dock. bad day.
some advices:{except the good ones already given}
*get your trailer wheels as far to the back as you can before backing.
*always set up the trailer brakes. almost every year i read about a trucker who lost his life between the trailer and the dock.
*tap the brake lights.it help see inside.
*if they took a real heavy load inside. do not be shay. idle your truck inside for a few minutes before pulling out. the trailer airbags can be over inflated which will cause the back of the trailer to hit the 13'6" door. by idling a bit more inside they airbags will be inflated for the right length.
*watch for slick spots. once those trailers get inside the snow or ice will melt & there's always grease inside.
*

March 07, 2014 22:05:10 PM

I like the flashlight trick. Getting out to look and getting yourself as straight as possible helps a great deal in these situations. I have a shipper who's docks were built in the 1940's and their dock doors where built for 96" wide trailers. The hardest thing about this dock is you cant get out of your truck very easy because your truck door lines up with the door piilar and you can not open it wide enough for many drivers. The buddy system is used here often as many drivers need someone to wind down their landing gear and pull the kingpin release so they can pull forward enough to get out of the truck. These docks make you think about how much shorter trucks and trailers were in the past as these docks were designed to have tthe entire truck and trailer inside the building with the doors closed.

March 06, 2014 6:23:54 AM

A spotter would be nice. I broke a hinge once in the late 80s and was able to replace in myself, so I have been lucky-and careful.

March 06, 2014 5:25:58 AM

Jeff count us in with the others with our stomach tightens when we realize that we have an indoor dock. Even with a spotter they are tough when you hit that blind spot and cannot see anything beside or behind you. We have a couple of advantages one is a team and the other is backing cameras. Those backing cameras help a lot in these situations. I have also seen the damage caused when drivers pull out and rip the doors off going out. We have a few customers that once they get you inside they shut the doors in from of you till unloaded.

March 06, 2014 4:19:17 AM