Loading Docks

I this mainly the older docks that are an issue, especially in the Northeast, NYC, Boston, Philly, B'more, then you have Chicago and LA that have some tough ones...

The main problem is that in the old days the trucks were length restricted and trailers.were only 40'... a lot of COE trucks too so better turning radius, and more room to maneuver... a normal road reactor and 53' trailer is around 70' long. Most of the newer places you go are no problem whatsoever.

For my money the worst I have ever seen is Ralph's in Compton, CA. Melissa's in downtown LA can be trying too if other trucks are there, and there is that place on Fountain Ave in Brooklyn where you have to back k to a building across 4 lanes of traffic while jumping the median, and the place in Inglewood CA you have to go around the block in a residential neighborhood to get to the dock, then essentially block the street with your tractor when you are against the dock.

The really tough ones though are less than you think in my experience. Most places just take a little maneuvering.

 

I'll second the Ralph's in Compton. It's easy to envision 40 and 45 foot trailers being pulled with tractors without sleepers at that old place. It's truly amazing the number of modern trucks that manage to get backed in regardless.

 

I believe "insane" docks should be charged an extra fee that goes straight to the driver for having to deal with it.

 

I believe insane docks are for gaining obviously much needed experience and if you wanna be paid for experience then you better hand in your keys and run far away...

Makes ya think that 'large cars' aint always all that they are cracked up to be...

 

Building owners and companies try to utilize there entire property and some times the loading dock suffers. Most of the really badly designed ones are at older facilities that were constructed when 40 foot or shorter trailers were the norm. There is one place that I know of that you drop the trailer in the parking lot and a yard mule takes it to the dock. There is another place that you have to pull in and back into a blind side dock, when you leave you have to find a spot in the back to turn around. This does not even take into account all of the loading docks that you have to back Ito from the street that are common place in Los Angeles and some of the surrounding cities

 

Yes the smaller the trailer they cut off to the left or right faster. But as for backing into the docks take your time, plan your moves G.O.A.L. (Get Out And Look) If it takes you 10 min or 30 min who cares, just do it safely. If other drivers there they may assist you, if Not on their own ask. I even asked one driver if he wanted me to put it in the dock for him, for the sake of his Truck, he had gotten so frustrated he was abusing his own truck (O/O)

 

Years ago, my Dad told me he got in trouble for being over length....with a Cabover pulling a 45 foot trailer, lol.

 

The 5+ trucks waiting for same dock, the cars/trucks waiting for you to get the **** out of their way so they can get to where they are going, the dock workers, who knows maybe the police.

I personally agree with you. Should take your time and however long it takes is however long it takes. However the longer it takes, the more crap you will get from other humans in the area.