Blindside backing
#51
03-06-2009, 01:06 PM
I had the ultimate (worst) blindside back ever this week or some may say the dumbest thing I ever did.
I got unloaded in Riverside Ca a day early so I decided to get a motel room for the night. I called the motel and they said they had truck parking. I got to the motel and seen 2 trucks parked in the parking lot but it didn't look possible to pull in the main drive so I figured there was another way in so I drove around the block. I got to the side of the motel and there a motel sign and a driveway so I pulled into the driveway The driveway went down a hill and made a bend to the right. When I got around the bend and to the bottom the driveway USE to go to the parking lot but now their was a locked fence across the driveway. I had to blindside back up the driveway blindsind around the corner. When I finally got back up to the busy street I had to blindside back into 3 lanes of traffic at 5pm. To make it worse there were trees where I couldn't see if any cars were coming. I got out and looked for someone who could stop traffic for me but there wasn't anyone around. I ended up standing behind the trailer watching traffic and when I thought it was clear I ran to the truck and just started backing slow and hoped nobody would hit me. Everyone stopped and I got out of the driveway. I went around the motel again and double parked and went in and asked how they got trucks in there. They said they pulled in and drove around the building and backed in. Doing that made it a blindside back too. It took me over a hour to get backed into the truck parking. Lesson learned, NEVER pull into a driveway that you don't know where it goes. I think it would pay for a truck driver to invest in some two way walkie talkies just in case you have a situation like you had.
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#52
03-06-2009, 02:36 PM
I had the ultimate (worst) blindside back ever this week or some may say the dumbest thing I ever did.
I got unloaded in Riverside Ca a day early so I decided to get a motel room for the night. I called the motel and they said they had truck parking. I got to the motel and seen 2 trucks parked in the parking lot but it didn't look possible to pull in the main drive so I figured there was another way in so I drove around the block. I got to the side of the motel and there a motel sign and a driveway so I pulled into the driveway The driveway went down a hill and made a bend to the right. When I got around the bend and to the bottom the driveway USE to go to the parking lot but now their was a locked fence across the driveway. I had to blindside back up the driveway blindsind around the corner. When I finally got back up to the busy street I had to blindside back into 3 lanes of traffic at 5pm. To make it worse there were trees where I couldn't see if any cars were coming. I got out and looked for someone who could stop traffic for me but there wasn't anyone around. I ended up standing behind the trailer watching traffic and when I thought it was clear I ran to the truck and just started backing slow and hoped nobody would hit me. Everyone stopped and I got out of the driveway. I went around the motel again and double parked and went in and asked how they got trucks in there. They said they pulled in and drove around the building and backed in. Doing that made it a blindside back too. It took me over a hour to get backed into the truck parking. learned, NEVER pull into a driveway that you don't know where it goes.
#53
04-07-2009, 03:01 PM
Scott....I can relate to that story, and feel for you. I pulled into the wrong entrance at a Costco in Vancouver, and had to back out onto the street with a lot of traffic. I don't want to ever do that again
 We'll have to see what everyone thinks, but I think learning to back with a flatbed is a good way to start (versus a van or reefer) because of the better visibility, and I truly think it is much easier with the 48' trailers. The only positive thing I'll ever say about a flatbed company out of Tulsa is their orientation is one of the most instructive I've ever heard of or seen (at least it was). The mirror training would probably benefit the majority of drivers out there. It did me. Everyone has their own reference points to help them while backing. I tend to focus on the wheels and their projected track, and swear it's easier to back a trailer with the wheels to the rear (maybe it's what I got used to). I always knew the trailer was where the wheels were (if they're slid forward I had to pay attention to the trailer swing, and tended to go slightly past straight requiring some correction). Whatever you do, don't get upset about backing. I've had some days where it went so perfectly I couldn't believe it, and others where I was so tired that pulling into a spot was hard.
#54
04-07-2009, 04:18 PM
[QUOTE=Flying W;445705]
Everyone has their own reference points to help them while backing. I tend to focus on the wheels and their projected track, and swear it's easier to back a trailer with the wheels to the rear (maybe it's what I got used to). I always knew the trailer was where the wheels were (if they're slid forward I had to pay attention to the trailer swing, and tended to go slightly past straight requiring some correction). QUOTE] There are a few places in LA I go to that trailers backed in the docks are so close you almost rub the doors of your trailer backing in. When I get to one of them I will swing the back end of the trailer into the hole and stop. Then I will slide the tandems all the to the back so I get the tractor under the trailer to back straight up without hitting the trailers beside me. The one place I go you have to drop your trailer in the door and move the tractor to a parking lot because there is not enough room to even drive by when a tractor is still hooked to the trailer. The docks were built for 45' trailers and cabovers.
#55
04-10-2009, 09:12 AM
I have ran into (no pun) a few shippers/cosignees in the past few weeks where blindside backing was not an option, you HAD to do it.
I saw somewhere on YouTube, that one driver came up with the idea of putting a mirror on the passenger side sun-visor that was a 12-18in wide and 4-6in tall. Not sure how much more visibility you'd get, but i just bought a $5 mirror that i will have to trim down, and attack via velcro or elastic. anybody have any thoughts about blindside backing? any tips, etc.? One place i was at, I had already bumped the dock, and another swift driver blind sided right next to me. He was a mentor, and he looked like he knew what he was doing. He'd back up 2-3 feet...then GOAL. back another 2-3 feet and GOAL. took forever, but he got it in without hitting anything. without this mirror idea, that is how i would go about it....thought maybe there was a better idea out there somewhere......
#56
04-10-2009, 09:21 AM
I had the ultimate (worst) blindside back ever this week or some may say the dumbest thing I ever did.
I got unloaded in Riverside Ca a day early so I decided to get a motel room for the night. I called the motel and they said they had truck parking. I got to the motel and seen 2 trucks parked in the parking lot but it didn't look possible to pull in the main drive so I figured there was another way in so I drove around the block. I got to the side of the motel and there a motel sign and a driveway so I pulled into the driveway The driveway went down a hill and made a bend to the right. When I got around the bend and to the bottom the driveway USE to go to the parking lot but now their was a locked fence across the driveway. I had to blindside back up the driveway blindsind around the corner. When I finally got back up to the busy street I had to blindside back into 3 lanes of traffic at 5pm. To make it worse there were trees where I couldn't see if any cars were coming. I got out and looked for someone who could stop traffic for me but there wasn't anyone around. I ended up standing behind the trailer watching traffic and when I thought it was clear I ran to the truck and just started backing slow and hoped nobody would hit me. Everyone stopped and I got out of the driveway. I went around the motel again and double parked and went in and asked how they got trucks in there. They said they pulled in and drove around the building and backed in. Doing that made it a blindside back too. It took me over a hour to get backed into the truck parking. Lesson learned, NEVER pull into a driveway that you don't know where it goes. I learned right then and there to never pull into anyplace unless I stopped and looked first. I don't care if I block traffic and cause a traffic jam. I put my 4 ways on and get out and walk back and look and if the shipper or receiver says "oh yeah, everyone does it" TO ABSOLUTELY GET OUT AND LOOK. "Oh yeah, everyone does it or guys do it all the time" Is right up there with "Hey, watch this!" Last edited by jonp; 04-10-2009 at 09:23 AM.
#57
04-10-2009, 09:32 AM
Had a Western Express do just that in the Cayce, SC Pilot. He was pulling out of the hole going right to his blindspot side and was paying attention to that and forgot about the overhang on the 53ft and took out my passenger door mirror, front quarter panel, bumper and fisheye. Not a good way to wake up at 0330. Caught him before he got out of the parking lot too.
#58
04-10-2009, 09:43 AM
2) He never got out once and looked on his drivers side. When his truck was jacked to the blindside he must have lost sight of the back of the trailer on his drivers side and assumed he had enough space on that side. Guys that assume they have enough room wreck more equipment than anyone else. That hero is going to run into someone in the near future because he never G.O.A.L. The mirror is a good idea and a helpful tool as far as I can see. I'd love one but I will never stop G.O.A.L.
#59
04-15-2009, 01:42 PM
Well for me blindsiding is a daily chore, I deliver to grocery stores here in the North East, inc NY, NJ etc.
For me the approach is key, set up as if it a see-side situation. Though I have some stores that require me to back into the parking lot from the street and then blindside around the corner of a store. Thank god for my daycab. Just learn to take your time and GOAL, dont worry about people heckling you. If it gets very difficult, shut your truck down and take a walk to relax.
#60
04-15-2009, 02:59 PM
I've never thought of LA as having difficult docks... the Bay area can sometimes be a little fun though. Nothing at least compared to NYC, NE Jersey, Boston or many other east coast cities. Not to mention that you generally don’t have to worry about low clearances just about anywhere in CA.
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