Is this a hard dock, or am I being a wuss?

They ought to have drivers uncouple while in the dock. Try being an LTL driver and having to back into docks like these all day long, although we have much shorter tractors

 

The "tailswing" on a trailer when the tandems are all the way forward can get you in trouble at times as you already know. To eliminate it put em to the rear. This works with a lot of tough docks like you are describing here. I've found it much easier in a ton of situations. It's been my experience that tandems to the rear is just plain easier backing. Give it a try next time.

 

Have the yard guy do it. Unless no other trucks are in there. Guy sounds like a you know what.

 

Google map the place, screenshot on post it here

 

Him getting MAD does not hurt your driving record, so let him get mad, let the yard driver gamble.

Mine was Melissas World Va[HR][/HR]riety Produce on Slauson Downtown Los Angeles. You know when you get there and the rail in front of the dock has every color of truck paint on it, and pieces of front bumpers laying under it. They would not let us drop either. all the other drivers were good at guiding you in, short turn area and close together.

 

Hi Gets, yeah, that is a tough one, like Glp sez, they should make the driver uncouple the truck. As far as going over the curb, if you notice at that spot, the ground on the other side of the curb is usually torn up from other drivers going over the curb, and I've done it myself. Sometimes, it's the only way to get in or out. If you are worried about damaging the tire, find a 2x4 to put down by the curb. Usually, crawling over a curb slowly shouldn't ruin the tire, it's a fast hit, or scraping the sidewall for a long distance that will do damage. I know it's easy to say, but try not to be intimidated by the warehouse manager. Tell him if he thinks it's so easy, why doesn't HE try it, although, that would be throwing gas on a fire. Maybe he doesn't know what kind of truck you have, as these morons never see the front of the truck, and they think everybody drives short yard horses. Remember, a miss is as good as a mile, and a 3 inch miss is good enough.
I just read the post about running the trailer wheels back. While it's true, it's easier like that, sometimes, like you describe, there isn't enough room for that.

 

if you are droping the trailer and coming back in 3 hours, i would have no issues having them back it in. if they have a full time yard man, they should not have a problem with it either.

do like you are doing and tell them it's to tight with a sleeper unit, give them a choice, they can pull a trailer out or have the yard man back it in. i have told more then 1 person i am not going to risk a accident over something stupid.

you may have to eat a little crow over it

 

Don't do anything you're not comfortable with. It is not worth the stress and anxiety. Perhaps tell your boss to put you on a different account. Next time you're there can you take a picture of this dock and post it here?