Backing Practice™ 11: Flatbed Edition

The Old Serpentine Backing famous at some trucking schools. Pull out to left side of building for Bay One and start the long process of serpentine backing...start looking for a new job after you get out of there.

Bay Two would be a simple back in. From noted "Entrance" Drive up past Bay two on your drivers side, take a left on far side of Bay one building (Left side of property in photo) and pull forward enough to setup trailer for somewhat of a straight back-in to Bay Two.

So now you are in bay two. You have a load of steel bars on your deck and you just finished strapping them down and tarping them. How do you get out?

At least there are people there who would hopefully be willing to spot you!

Paul stays hopeful:

At least there are people there who would hopefully be willing to spot you!

Everybody's got work to do. You could luck out with another driver (drivers know what you're doing), especially one that's waiting for you to get out of his way!

Paul stays hopeful:

At least there are people there who would hopefully be willing to spot you!

Everybody's got work to do. You could luck out with another driver (drivers know what you're doing), especially one that's waiting for you to get out of his way!

LOL. Yesterday I asked someone to spot for me for a tight spot at a receiver. He said ok, then walked off as soon as I started backing!

In all honesty though, judging by the looks of the Google maps image Errol posted, it wouldn't be that tight of a back to get out. Sure, it's still a blindside back but it could be alot worse.

In all honesty though, judging by the looks of the Google maps image Errol posted, it wouldn't be that tight of a back to get out. Sure, it's still a blindside back but it could be alot worse.

I can't speak for Google's different photos, but your original one is a real puzzler. I didn't notice the blocked lane in yours.

Doesn't look like there's a Dinner Bell restaurant around, so I have no idea.

TMan you hit the nail on the head. At this shipper they actually give you directions on how to get in and out of their bays, and it is exactly what you said.

Using Steve C's photo.

Bay Two would be a simple back in. From noted "Entrance" Drive up past Bay two on your drivers side, take a right on far side of Bay one building (Left side of property in photo) and pull forward enough to setup trailer for somewhat of a straight back-in to Bay Two.

Bay One, if it isn't too busy a place and there is room, you could drive in from "Entrance" turn right just before building where Bay One is, go forward to straighten truck & trailer and then back up to left bending around building of Bay One being careful of the part of building that Bay Two is in, that juts out, just keep backing until you have Bay One on your driver side and do a drive side back in. It looks like from the angle of the two buildings you have more room to maneuver towards the "Entrance" side of Bay One (both straight ahead and to the side).

And for getting OUT of Bay 2

The Old Serpentine Backing famous at some trucking schools. Pull out to left side of building for Bay One and start the long process of serpentine backing...start looking for a new job after you get out of there.

Has anyone been to this place recently? Looking at Google Maps, they have made some changes to their yard and it looks even more interesting. I can't tell if they have a gate on the west side of the property or if that is still a regular fence blocking the way.

I suppose if both the east and west sides of the property served as entrances, then come in for Bay 1 through the west entrance, hang a left past Bay 1 and driver-side back into it. But supposing there is no west entrance... Is there enough room to come in the east entrance and pull a right-handed U turn and then back the rest of the way along and finally into Bay 1?

Bay 2 appears obvious and relatively simple; come in the east entrance and go all the way around to the west side of the property and back almost straight back as noted earlier in this thread.

Hypothetical on Bay 2: If the east entrance weren't there, come in the west entrance, pull into the coil yard to make a three-point turnaround in order to get back to Bay 2 and straight back into it?

What are some thoughts on driving through the center of the property? It looks too tight. What do the pros think?

Hope you have a dump valve?

But seriously, it was mentioned above, you've usually got to go in and talk to shipping/receiving anyway, ask them what the routine is. Don't ask other drivers-had a situation a couple weeks ago, pull in, but hard right turn at the start. Driver ahead couldn't get in and ended up backing in from the exit. He went down the line telling everyone we couldn't drive in. Went in to get my coil measurements for the setup and asked the loader. He gave me the trick to get in, no problem once you know how. Also look for tire tracks, spread axles will leave a distinctive drag and can often figure out what needs to be done just from that. Almost think you can see the marks from the pics. Places that receive loads every day are not too bad, you know that guys somehow get in and out every day, so it can be done. Delivering to job sites, that's where the fun really starts.

The comment above: u turns are usually best avoided with a loaded flatbed, good way to flip a trailer or blow the tires off your dragging axle. Also, driving through the center of the property, most of these places want you staying out of their employee parking lot for good reason. Look for the truck delivery sign, check out your company directions, or if all else fails, call the company so you know exactly what driveway you need to go in before you get there.