First time in port

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by D.Tibbitt, Sep 9, 2019.

  1. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Im headed to the port of newark , nj tomorow. Getting me a container for my flatbed. U guys have any advice for me? I never been to newark or been to a port before. Im guessing its pretty crazy. Ill be heading up 95 to newark. Just curious if u guys know of anything i should look out for or any advice u can give me.

    Thanks
     
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  2. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    if i recall, as they load the container onto your trailer, they wait for you to say..."OK...then they leave. they give you time to look it over, and have them reposition it.

    can't add much else, except good luck, you should do fine, they ain't difficult to deal with
     
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  3. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Nice! Im hoping it will be easy , i just hate being the new guy lol
     
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  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    If your trailer has any arch at all your container will need some form of wood and chain binders UNDER it across the corner holes to hold it up and also keep it from spinning off your deck.

    You can bury the top in straps with it empty, it's 7000 pounds give or take. It will say tare on the door for itself.

    Be gently driving as you are already.

    DO NOT as 157 said sprout the word OKAY to anyone hovering around you after plopping the box on you. They will disappear and there you are.

    A empty container on a flat bed would cause me to grow white hair, I prefer that move made by chassis.
     
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  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    It will be until you find something to secure it and dunnage it.

    When the boxes or Box flies over you or towards you stay in the cab. Do not do anything. Stay put. They will slap it on you.

    CHECK that CONTAINER number to be right compared to what dispatcher gave you.
     
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  6. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Good to know i got me a brand new aluminum trailer , so its got a pretty good arch in it, ill make sure to break out the dunnage, thanks for the tips
     
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  7. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    You probably will run a chain and it's clamp binder across UNDER the ends where it's above the decking due to your arch.

    The actual doing is NOT that hard. Just don't say the magic word until you are peaceful that its not going anywhere.
     
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  8. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Would there be any height issues , with putting dunnage under the ends? How tall are containers usually?
     
  9. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    There are two kinds based on 13 feet 6 inches.

    If you got a normal box it should be yea high but not too high.

    If you for some stupid reason picked up a gooseneck box then it's a extra foot and you need to measure it. It might be beyond your 13.6

    You can identify a gooseneck chassis box a mile away based on reflective stickers all over it plus a giant trench in the metal where your glad hands would go to accomodate a gooseneck chassis.

    Measure it all 4 corners and center above your arch. be happy. Get permits if oversized.
     
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  10. booley

    booley Road Train Member

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    Yeah you're gonna need dunnage under one end. Also, do you have a TWIC card? If not, they might charge you for an escort inside the port
     
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