Backing Practice™ 20

Rick said,

Doesn't look like you can go back out that way - because there appears to be a median where traffic exits onto countyline.

You can actually. No median. I think those are cars that Google blocked out.

GPS coordinates would enable us to get a better look at the scene there.

Sorry about that..

1950 E County Line Rd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

Okay - I'd do my "Plan B" but kind of in reverse.

I'd come around the back side of the store, dropping my full in the back (somewhere) to the left of the docks.

Grab the empty from the dock, pull forward and to the left (as you drive, to the right as you look at the photo) and drop the empty in the 45 degree cut to the left/bottom of the pictures.

Go back and grab the full, pull forward and setup in the 45 degree cut to the right of the docks for a sight side alley dock

Greb the empty, go around the back of the store and back out onto countyline.

R

Okay - I'd do my "Plan B" but kind of in reverse.

I'd come around the back side of the store, dropping my full in the back (somewhere) to the left of the docks.

Grab the empty from the dock, pull forward and to the left (as you drive, to the right as you look at the photo) and drop the empty in the 45 degree cut to the left/bottom of the pictures.

Go back and grab the full, pull forward and setup in the 45 degree cut to the right of the docks for a sight side alley dock

Greb the empty, go around the back of the store and back out onto countyline.

R

Interesting. Hadn't thought of that approach, but I think that would work.

No one bites on these anymore?

R

No one bites on these anymore?

R

Was this not a very good example?

No one bites on these anymore?

R

Was this not a very good example?

Paul, I just keep sending these Backing Practices ™ out there. They give new drivers examples of real life work, where "money cones" and faded parking lines are but a faint memory.

Well, anywho...

The way I did this store: I entered from the top and came around the back of the store, dropping my loaded trailer on the left side of the image next to the trees. Then I pulled the empty from the dock and pulled forward to my right (towards the bottom left of the image) into the 45º cut, then backed sightside until I was parallel to the store and snuggled up against the store in those car parking spaces along the bottom edge of the store (My nose pointed West). Then I pulled the loaded around to the bottom side of the store and sight-side backed 90º into the dock. Then I left with the empty the way I came.

Not too complicated, just tight.

No one bites on these anymore?

R

Was this not a very good example?

Quite the opposite.

I like to let the newer guys take their cuts at these. I rather like Rick's second choice. The one thing most of your examples require is a really good and precise set-up. Tight.

Paul don't forget there are a lot of us "Lurkers" who don't drive truck but are either working on it or just have the dream from childhood to do so. Most of these folks would probably like to hear from real truck drivers what they would do and not show how little we know by trying to answer. Not to mention that sometimes we just don't have time to get to this every day.

But please all of you keep posting these.

Personally I think you should just drop it at the empty door and take your empty and let them figure out that they need to pull product from a different dock.

Well, anywho...

The way I did this store: I entered from the top and came around the back of the store, dropping my loaded trailer on the left side of the image next to the trees. Then I pulled the empty from the dock and pulled forward to my right (towards the bottom left of the image) into the 45º cut, then backed sightside until I was parallel to the store and snuggled up against the store in those car parking spaces along the bottom edge of the store (My nose pointed West). Then I pulled the loaded around to the bottom side of the store and sight-side backed 90º into the dock. Then I left with the empty the way I came.

Not too complicated, just tight.

That works too. Obviously - SINCE THAT'S THE WAY YOU DID IT.

My full drop was the same (back of the store under the trees) - I chose drop the empty in the lower left 45 degree cut, so I could just grab it and go straight out the back without gyrations. Also didn't think the parking spots along the bottom of the store were fair game - that and I loathe playing dodgeball with 4-wheelers (though in my google maps - there are some traffic cones blocking some spots on the bottom of the store). The less I'd have to interact with 4 wheel parking lot traffic - the better.

I don't do this every day - so I defer to the person that actually drove in that lot. I assume you made the right onto Countyline back to I-25?

Still these are good real life "what if's". Nice that newbs get to see what they have to look forward to - and get the feedback from the guys that actually did a drop there, as to how they got the box in the hole without hitting anything - because THAT IS THE JOB - getting it into the hole without hitting anything.

Also gives newbs a demo of why we tell folks to CHECK THEIR DESTINATIONS ON GOOGLE MAPS - from the highway exit to the dock. A lot of times the last-mile-directions on the GPS can be a "little off", or the address on the BOL might be the office, not the building with the docks. Checking all this as part of your TRIP PLANNING, can reduce the amount of "WTF DO I DO NOW" surprises on arrival.

Also keep in mind - never depend TOO MUCH on your technology. My map on the web - is different from the one Paul posted. If you ever look at the maps on the web - the YEAR of the image is on the lower right hand corner. Some maps (especially street views) can be a few years old - we all know a lot can happen in a couple of years.

Rick