Backing.....

That's why there is an off switch on the radio

 

I had to deliver to an old power plant in Tenn. Not Nuke,.. just an old coal plant. But it was built in the early 20's. Old trucks and trailers back then were not even 40' combined. Imagine backing in from a side lot, blind siding over RR tracks to get into the main door,.. then once inside you still have to do another blind side to get to where this ancient gantry crane is to unload you. Roughly 800 - 900ft all said and done. One of the more strategic backing that I had to do.

Still one of the more difficult for me,.. not sure why,.. but when I was doing reefer,.. I had to deliver to this place in NJ where they had been in business since the 30's and the place was built for trucks of that period.. not 53' reefers. You had to alley dock with the tractor facing at a 90 degree angle to the the trailer after you bump the dock. Else there is a remote train that comes by and will take out your truck. Disconnect,.. sure,.. I brought that up. Problem is,.. the place is as busy as a Walmart DC before a holiday weekend. There is no where to park except attached to your trailer at 90 degree angle. I had only been there a few times,. and while you have all the room in the world to hit that dock,.. I dont know why,.. but I always struggled to get the trailer bumped straight with my tractor at an angle. To me its just not natural.

This was another place I hated going. A small grocery whole sale place in the Bronx. The only way to back it in was to come in from the left and do a blind side. Among the obstacles, were vehicles parked on the street,.. an old gantry pole thing over the lot and a dumpster. The pole looked as tho it had seen some battle scars from other trucks. Looked like the pole got made out better than what ever hit it.




Hurst