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Climbing in and out of trailers

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Kugel, Jul 9, 2020.

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  1. Jul 9, 2020 #1
    Kugel

    Kugel Bobtail Member

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    Jul 3, 2013
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    So do you guys use the ICC bumper to step up into the trailer? The trailers I use don't have the side steps like UPS or any of those dedicated LTL companies. The washout bays use ladders, and seeing how everything today is saftey orientated, I wonder why some shippers refuse to close the roll up doors when finished loading. Some forklift drivers have a grudge or make it a mission to do as little work as humanely possible.

    I'm not exactly a slouch, and stay fairly fit. I even have some rock climbing experience, but having drivers climb up on slick metal with workboots just seems like ######## to me. I'm not yet at the point of lugging a step ladder with me on days where I know the route requires hopping into the trailer, but I'd imagine in a decade or so I would.

    Do flatbed drivers have a system to this, or is it just step up the ICC bumper and hope you don't fall off?
     
    Kugel, Jul 9, 2020
    Kugel, Jul 9, 2020
    #1
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  3. Jul 9, 2020 #2
    Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    Curiosity question. Your trailer is roll up vs swing out doors? If so. Does it have a rope or "loop" that you pull down? If so. I've a suggestion. Get a telescoping pole with a hook on it. If your only worrying about closing it. Then just toss that in your cab when done.
     
    Wasted Thyme, Jul 9, 2020
    Wasted Thyme, Jul 9, 2020
    #2
    born&raisedintheusa, kylefitzy, Accidental Trucker and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Jul 9, 2020 #3
    Kugel

    Kugel Bobtail Member

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    Yeah, I guess the telescoping pole would be the easiest solution. Thanks man.
     
    Kugel, Jul 9, 2020
    Kugel, Jul 9, 2020
    #3
    Wasted Thyme Thanks this.
  5. Jul 9, 2020 #4
    TokyoJoe

    TokyoJoe Road Train Member

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    I usually just put my hands on the trailer and lift myself up. Sometimes with a step deck i swing a foot up there.

    I didn't know that this was so scientific.
     
    TokyoJoe, Jul 9, 2020
    TokyoJoe, Jul 9, 2020
    #4
    Dino soar, EuropeanTrucker, JolliRoger and 3 others Thank this.
  7. Jul 9, 2020 #5
    Kugel

    Kugel Bobtail Member

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    Jul 3, 2013
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    Yeah, I know, but's it's my life goal that I only get hurt when doing bjj, whitewater kayaking, moped in Dominican Republic, mtb..etc. Getting little niggles or minor injuries at work has me cursing at random times when stewing behind the wheel.
     
    Kugel, Jul 9, 2020
    Kugel, Jul 9, 2020
    #5
  8. Jul 9, 2020 #6
    SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    If you pull the same trailer all the time take about 5 ft of heavy rope and tie it to the pull strap on the door. Tuck it inside the trailer under the door when you latch it down so you don’t have a pony tail behind you.
    If you own the trailer fab up an extra step and handle on the back somewhere on the side of the trailer that is most comfortable for you to climb up with.
    Some drivers got to climb in and out at every stop and arn’t lucky enough to have a lift gate to use as an elevator. Lol!
     
    SmallPackage, Jul 9, 2020
    SmallPackage, Jul 9, 2020
    #6
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  9. Jul 9, 2020 #7
    xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    I just jump up. haha
    They have those steps made for flatbed. Maybe you can fab something like that to work on the tail of a van.
     
    xsetra, Jul 9, 2020
    xsetra, Jul 9, 2020
    #7
  10. Jul 9, 2020 #8
    88 Alpha

    88 Alpha Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    We have 30something trailers on the account I'm on and only one has any sort of handhold and step. Due to an incident early in my employment with them, they instituted a policy of "no drivers in the trailers". Sometimes we still have to get in the trailers to close the roll-up doors.

    Our trailers are reefer trailers and are mostly wore-out pieces of garbage that can't seem to stay out of the shops. The roll-up doors get stuck and won't roll up or pull down easily, so we have to climb in the trailers and "encourage" them to go up or come down. Occasionally, the rollers come off of the tracks, then they are a real pain to get to move.

    We just have to climb in them, do what we need to do and hope we don't get hurt in the process.
     
    88 Alpha, Jul 9, 2020
    88 Alpha, Jul 9, 2020
    #8
    born&raisedintheusa Thanks this.
  11. Jul 9, 2020 #9
    KevinTT

    KevinTT Bobtail Member

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    Some have a rope you can grab
     
    KevinTT, Jul 9, 2020
    KevinTT, Jul 9, 2020
    #9
  12. Jul 9, 2020 #10
    Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    I carry a 4' step ladder under the bunk.
     
    Powder Joints, Jul 9, 2020
    Powder Joints, Jul 9, 2020
    #10
    born&raisedintheusa and SteveScott Thank this.
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