Safety Question -

Hey everybody! I hope all is well and you all are safe and sane

Quick question and advice needed. I’m driving a dedicated route where I’m delivering the coveted building supplies TL various big box retailers Home Depot etc etc and smaller venues as well.

Some of these places their yards and or “delivery areas” as many of you probably know are so crammed with stuff it makes maneuvering an interesting game of skill and luck - mostly luck for newbie like me 🤣

What I’m running into more is being asked to: “just back up the way you came on to the road” when I try to explain “it’s to dangerous” I get the wild eye look and the comment “others do it all the time”

Well, yesterday I got stuck between two trucks at a Home Depot - one driver couldn’t blind side into the dock- not his fault to much product in the way. Another flat bed came in the wrong way and refused to back up into the busy parking lot blocking the 53” foot box trying to blindside, then there’s me - and wait... another flatbed came in behind me. He ended up backing up into traffic.. he had a 28 foot flat with day cab. I have 48ft flat - curtained with sleeper.

I politely said “I’m not backing this up to a blindside 90 into a busy road” by the way the “didn’t have time” to watch the road for me. The were concerned another truck would show up and would not be able to get unloaded if I stayed put.

I stayed put. They weren’t happy with me one bit. No one else came by the way.

Am I being unreasonable about backing up into streets without spotters etc etc - I think it’s unsafe.

Thanks everybody!

It's usually far easier to back in from the street than to back out into the street. My advice would be to pull over and walk up to assess the in/out situation before doing anything. I learned very early on in my flatbed career to not even think twice about blocking a lane so that I can better plan my attack and exit.

I 100% agree with Turtle. G.O.A.L. before setting up for the back, not after.

If you are delivering to an unfamiliar Hone Depot; use Goggle Earth or Google Maps as part of your trip planning. Develop a setup strategy before arriving.

Good luck.

Thank you both. Google earth it’s become my best friend. Ha ha ha ha.

I do walk every new place that has saved my bacon more than once. Thanks again!

Also, message you dispatch to let them know what's going on.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. Just because another driver does it doesn’t make it right for you. Some drivers text and drive. Most don’t get into wrecks. But...

One time (with Schneider van division) I was delivering to a location that required a blind side 90 degree back in off the street. The receiver refused to have someone stop traffic or at least spot me. My DBL conference called us together and they told her the same thing. End result; I refused to deliver due to safety reasons, I still got paid for it, they had me drop it at a Schneider yard nearby and go onto another assignment. I still wouldn’t make that delivery. It was a two lane city street with two-way traffic.

Keep on keeping on!

Thanks everybody. Sure appreciate you all taking the time! Be safe !