What's up dock? How close is close enough when backing up?

It depends on the trailer and the dock. With some trailer designs, you can't be against the dock because the bumper guards would be up against the plate, preventing the lumpers from raising it. With other trailers, you can't leave a gap because the floorboard has a lip.

 

Laugh, young grasshopper; it will not hurt you!

 

Sabine, you should just left the trailer brakes released, and let them deal with the trailer bouncing. Up until about 15 years ago , there weren't any mechanisms to dump or lock the trailer suspension while loading.

 

I am pretty sure he was being funny

too far left or right the dock plate cant get in either
left to right backing in
before I back in I look at the trailer beside me and see how close he is to the yellow line
then when my trailer is in the slot
I watch my tandem wheels on the truck to know I am not crooked

 

I always have to leave a gap of a at least a few inches when I back into a dock. I'll rip the outside material around the dock if I don't when I raise the hydraulics to bring it to dock height. I've never had anyone complain about the gap as long as the plate reaches.

I have had one guy try to tell me I had to chock the wheels before I could unload. I told him if he could figure out how to chock wheels that aren't touching the ground I'd be more than glad to do it.

 

Interesting Avatar, any chance you're from W Texas?

 

avatar looks like dick van dyke