Generally speaking, how close must a truck be backed to a dock

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by TomCougar, Nov 18, 2019.

  1. tarmadilo

    tarmadilo Road Train Member

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    I try not to slam into it, but I always bump the dock.
     
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  3. TomCougar

    TomCougar Light Load Member

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    I was thinking the gap between trailer rear and dock edge can be within a foot: 12 inches. I figured some kind of movable metal plate can bridge any small gap. Are you a truck driver or a brain surgeon for precision work? I ask because I have have working trucks that actually back up to a dock on a virtual model railroad layout. I have a freight dock and cattle ports (chutes, cattle races, where cows get in and out of the double-deck cattle rig) as well. I have to specify how close the trailer is to be positioned to the dock in the software programming in meters.
     
  4. stayinback

    stayinback Road Train Member

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    I like seeing guys pulling out of inside tight docks and hear a "hhhheeeeeyyyy" In the Background only to see the door hanging by a thread once outside- Everyone outside at the Grill begin to laugh out loud,
    Driver then sees it and begins to laugh too....Then everyone at the Plant goes outside and starts to laugh.....
    Then The driver goes over to the Grill and Grabs a Chicken Breast and a Hamburger While Still Laughing

    Then after about 5 minutes...The Door falls off and hits the Ground- and everyone Falls off their Chairs and 35 people Bellow out a laugh so strong, that all the businesses down the street can hear.
     
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  5. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    That is a story to detailed to ever make up,u must be speaking from experience ? Lol :D
     
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  6. Fold_Moiler

    Fold_Moiler Road Train Member

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    12”??? The first time the forklift pushes the truck forward the dock plate will collapse and you will have a stuck forklift best case scenario.
     
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  7. stayinback

    stayinback Road Train Member

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    Boy,This Tommy Cougar is something else
     
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  8. Fold_Moiler

    Fold_Moiler Road Train Member

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    I feel like he’s a robot.
     
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  9. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    I think @shogun is the only person that can properly answer @TomCougar s questions :D
     
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  10. HoneyBadger67

    HoneyBadger67 Road Train Member

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    For your software purposes, if the truck is tight up against the dock it will rub the little bumpers off the back of the trailer. Put the trailer against the dock and then slightly pull forward. An inch or two won't matter in *most* cases. Older dock plates, though, weren't very long, (maybe 18-24"), too big of a gap would be detrimental to getting unloaded.
     
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  11. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    I've seen it. Idiot gets out of the truck, locks his door but doesn't set his brake. Any guesses what happened next? :)
    That was a mess at an already too busy dock as he killed the radiator among other things.
     
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