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suggestions for setting up indoor dock

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by mugurpe, Jun 23, 2015.

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  1. Jun 23, 2015 #1
    mugurpe

    mugurpe Medium Load Member

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    May 5, 2013
    Arlington, MA
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    So, we bought a warehouse... with an indoor dock that sucks to back into. The basic skinny is that during daylight if your cab isn't inside the building, you can't see anything in there, you're completely blind. Perfectly cleaned mirrors and you can kinda make stuff out but that's about it. At night when it's dark out and light inside it's a piece of cake.

    So my question is this: are there any docks like that you've been to where they had a system or a trick for making this easy? And don't get started with the whole "get out and look" think. We already do that and we're a moving company so each driver has a helper to back them up anyway (who you also cannot see). The idea here is not that we don't know how to back up, it's that I'm trying to make it easier for my drivers because I"m trying to be nice to them and make their day easier.

    So, here's the basic skinny. It's 30 feet from dock to door. The door is 14x14 and the road is 22' from the dock door. It's a short yard and a pretty tight alley-dock situation to get in there. The equipment is 14' box trucks (22 ft overall) 24' box trucks (36' overall) and a single screw tractor with a pup trailer.

    We've discussed maybe getting a handheld light for the helper but a plain flashlight, though visible, doesn't communicate much. Could we light it so brightly that you could still see into the dock? seems like an instane amount of lighting to compete with daylight. We'll probably paint lines on the floor/dock to aim for but I'm not sure how well we'll be able to see. I'm hoping someone else out there with a tricky dock did something real smart and I can rip them off.
    Thanks guys.
     
    mugurpe, Jun 23, 2015
    mugurpe, Jun 23, 2015
    #1
    radioshark and Shaggy Thank this.
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  3. Jun 23, 2015 #2
    just_the

    just_the Light Load Member

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    Mar 18, 2014
    Saltillo, MS
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    Sure, have to do this at Nissan in Compton all the time, go to a Scruggs and get the cones with the LED lights on top, use them to delineate the target zone... cheers.
     
    just_the, Jun 23, 2015
    just_the, Jun 23, 2015
    #2
    mugurpe and Vilhiem Thank this.
  4. Jun 23, 2015 #3
    Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

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    Sep 21, 2006
    FIGMO
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    Paint a Line on the drivers side from Dock to 30 feet from out the building.
    Ideal is tires 2" from off the line. Make sure your'e aware of clipping a passenger mirror if its tight.

    Working for ABF over the years. It's helps a crap ton when customers have a guide line.
    Some of our terminals even have them.
     
    Shaggy, Jun 23, 2015
    Shaggy, Jun 23, 2015
    #3
    mugurpe Thanks this.
  5. Jun 23, 2015 #4
    kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Jan 13, 2013
    SW Arkansas
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    When I have to back into these type of docks I use my flashlight to help guide me in. I lay it on the dock at the place I want the left side of the trailer to end up shining toward my left mirror. Still need to be careful going through the door portal but you have something you can see in the dark space to aim at until you get in far enought to see.
     
    kemosabi49, Jun 23, 2015
    kemosabi49, Jun 23, 2015
    #4
    mugurpe Thanks this.
  7. Jun 23, 2015 #5
    zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

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    lancaster pa
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    Paint two yellow lines all the way to the street,all your drivers have to do is stay within these two lines
     
    zinita17601, Jun 23, 2015
    zinita17601, Jun 23, 2015
    #5
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  8. Jun 23, 2015 #6
    radioshark

    radioshark Road Train Member

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    I've been to docks like this. One place had red LED lights from top of dock lined up all the way down to the ground on both sides of the target area.
     
    radioshark, Jun 23, 2015
    radioshark, Jun 23, 2015
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    mugurpe and Vilhiem Thank this.
  9. Jun 23, 2015 #7
    kimbosa

    kimbosa Medium Load Member

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    Jul 4, 2011
    lufkin texas
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    Yep there right yellow lines, also if there is any turns in this deal, lay down some markers where they might cut the back wheels!!
     
    kimbosa, Jun 23, 2015
    kimbosa, Jun 23, 2015
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    mugurpe Thanks this.
  10. Jun 23, 2015 #8
    Chewy352

    Chewy352 Road Train Member

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    Enid, OK
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    Backed into a dock like this that had rub rails for the tires. Couldn't even see them. I was thinking some lights on the inside at tire hight might make it easier to see.

    It's not just about making it easier for your drivers but also protecting your equipment from damage. Spend a little money on different things and ask your drivers what helps. The lines seem like a good start followed by lighting.
     
    Chewy352, Jun 23, 2015
    Chewy352, Jun 23, 2015
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    mugurpe Thanks this.
  11. Jun 23, 2015 #9
    xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    Use painted lines with reflective granuals so any lights even trailer lights will reflect. Also retro-reflective tape or like above led lights on the Veritcal line down both sides of dock. You want aiming aids not blinding light in the eyes of drivers. Good luck. Let us know what works.
     
    xsetra, Jun 23, 2015
    xsetra, Jun 23, 2015
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    mugurpe and gentleroger Thank this.
  12. Jun 23, 2015 #10
    the454kid

    the454kid Bobtail Member

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    Jun 10, 2015
    King northCarolina
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    You can get reflective tape from harbor freight pretty cheap start at the door and go back to the dock on both sides
     
    the454kid, Jun 23, 2015
    the454kid, Jun 23, 2015
    #10
    mugurpe Thanks this.
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