Backing Practice™ 18

This Backing Practice™ is contributed Paul W.

The address is 105 W Troutman Parkway, Fort Collins, CO.

This is one is a little different. This is the first Target store I delivered to. There are three dock doors. I am to dock my trailer in the middle door (the one occupied in the photo) and take an empty trailer. Here's the twist: the middle door is already occupied by the trailer I need to take, so I have to drop my loaded trailer so I can move the empty out of the way.

I enter from S Mason St from either direction. Which direction should I enter from? Where should I drop my loaded trailer while I remove the empty? Where should I drop the empty while I dock the loaded trailer? Describe your process for maneuvering these trailers.

This is a pretty tight space and S Mason St is fairly busy. There is a dumpster in Alley #1 on the south end across from the trees. You can fit but there isn't much wiggle room.

So you must first drop your driver trailer, move the empty out of the way and drop that (means you need to find space for two trailers at the Target), then put the delivery takes in that spot. Whew!

How would you do this?
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If you have an interesting trailer backing situation, send it to me. I need at least an address, better is your screen shot, done up with your drawing & notes is best. Make a description I can copy into the post. If you search for Backing Practice™, you'll see how popular these are.

Send information to me at TT.errolv@spamgourmet.com

Experienced drivers, please feel free to post your solutions as well. There is more than one way to go about this, but I'm undecided on what's the best way so I'd love some feedback. Part of the way I make money on this account is to drop and hook as fast as possible so I can get more loads done.

Since the dock has three doors, when you were there were there any other trailers "in the way"? Like Walmart often has some extra storage trailers taking up dock spots.

Like Errol seems to be thinking, I would consider dropping my loaded trailer in another dock if possible, then do a series of offset docking maneuvers.

Example: They want trailer in #2 of three docks.

Drop loaded trailer in #1, or in front of the trailer in #1.

Pick empty out of #2. Put it in #3, or in front of the trailer in #3.

Re-hook to loaded trailer. Drop it in #2 as required.

Re-hook to empty trailer you moved out of the way.

Roll.

This does require several re-hooks, but you are a LOT less likely to run over anything this way.

Even if there are occupied trucks in docks, I'd still suggest doing it this way, but hustle, and let the drivers in the trucks know what you are doing if you can see them.

In this specific case, you might want to pretend there is a dock #4, and store a trailer there, right at the corner of the building. Trying to get a trailer straight into the dock closest to the top if there is already a trailer in #2 might be a bit annoying.

A second approach may be better. IF there is nothing in the way at the top entrance, above Alley #1. I can't see what the curbs and street signs there look like, but that IS a three-car-width entrance, so if there is nothing in the way, you should be able to come in from the top and shoot down into the alley.

Come in from the Top, and turn into the lot above Alley #1, and drive down Alley #1 until you are at the end of the alley. Drop the loaded trailer.

Pull the empty trailer out of #2, and put it in the non-existent #4 dock (below the three docks in a row)

Re-hook to the loaded trailer, drop it.

Re-hook to the empty, roll.

Pulling this up on Google Earth to get a bigger picture, would it make sense to utilize Troutdale and College as a way to circle around? For example, come in from the backside of Target via College and this allows you drop the trailer against the wall by the storage unit place to start the double drop and hook. It looks like this is where S&R office is anyway. If the door you're assigned is open, this is not a bad direction to be pointing already; perhaps only need to pull into Mason a bit regardless of what door you're assigned.

If you need to move another trailer like you described, you could drop the trailer on the south wall, hook to docked trailer and pull around to the right and drop it facing north in alley#1. Back down the alley#1, pick up original trailer and dock in door; with a little jockeying it looks like this could be done as a driver side back with little interference from Mason St

FarmerBob offers this approach:

A second approach may be better. IF there is nothing in the way at the top entrance, above Alley #1. I can't see what the curbs and street signs there look like, but that IS a three-car-width entrance, so if there is nothing in the way, you should be able to come in from the top and shoot down into the alley.

Come in from the Top, and turn into the lot above Alley #1, and drive down Alley #1 until you are at the end of the alley. Drop the loaded trailer.

Pull the empty trailer out of #2, and put it in the non-existent #4 dock (below the three docks in a row)

Re-hook to the loaded trailer, drop it.

Re-hook to the empty, roll.

I agree, this is better. I would do exactly as written above except I'd pull the empty off the dock and back it into Alley #2, spotting it as close to the curb and drop it there. This has more to do with my Walmart experience,...my preference is to get the empty out of the way and off the dock so I have unimpeded access to pre-trip it (photograph damage if there is any), lock it, etc. Plus many times my "drop and hook" stop is usually when I take my 30 so I want to be parked under the empty, off and away from the dock.

Otherwise I think FarmerBob's second solution is the most expeditious approach to this with the least amount of steps and moves and how I would approach this puzzle if it were my stop. Quickly get in, get out, and move on. This is really important for a Dedicated Driver handling multiple retail stops and trailer spotting.

FarmerBob's first approach is one that I would personally avoid only because spotting the empty in front of another trailer on a dock door potentially reduces available set-up space (which in this case, is already limited). If it's the only available option...then yes, no choice.

At many of the Walmart's I deliver to, on occasion I have spotted the swapped trailer in the side or front lots to enable easier egress with it without fouling available set-up space. All depends on the situation and how crowded the store is.

Good one Paul!

Paul wrote:

Experienced drivers, please feel free to post your solutions as well. There is more than one way to go about this, but I'm undecided on what's the best way so I'd love some feedback. Part of the way I make money on this account is to drop and hook as fast as possible so I can get more loads done.

You and me both...it's the secret sauce on a retail dedicated account and can many times be the difference between finishing your work and not finishing it.

Anyone else want to take a swing at this before I talk about it? There are still at least two more solutions.

@Errol: When I was there the other two docks (on either side) were empty, but a UPS truck (small box truck) came and docked in the south dock for a few minutes at one point. So I usually try to keep those clear.

@Vendingdude: that's a real possibility. I bobtailed back there to check it out and wasn't sure if I could clear one of the turns in the lot. If it worked you'd save yourself some time and hassle.

Wow, no prospective drivers want to give it a shot? Shame on you, passing up a good opportunity like this!

I don't have time right now so I'll post what I did later today.