Scary docks: the Philadelphia project

14 AUGUST 2013, 13:22
So you slip off the Interstate, cruise down a four-lane avenue, and make a right turn through two cars.* About a block up you find the warehouse and its dock doors.

Enclosed.

On the right.

We've discussed backing to to the right before, but this is slightly different. You're looking at doing it on an active street. With two lanes. Even with the bike lanes and the shoulders your trailer is longer than the street is wide.

The trailer. Not "the tractor and the trailer."

So you're going to back to your blind side, across all lanes of traffic, up on the sidewalk, backing your tractor blithely through the chain-link fence over there--and the two concrete-filled steel posts guarding it. Oh, and the fire hydrant.

You're not?

Good for you.

So instead, you will U-turn into the store parking lot you can see over your left shoulder. It's just wide enough.

Then you'll back across the street again, blocking a whole new set of angry drivers. If you're careful, you won't run over any of the customers' cars as you line up with the dock.

Actually, yes. That IS what you'll do. The are no other options you can see.

Oh, look! There was one other driver backed in when you got here. And he's out there spotting for you!

This is a GOOD thing. Not only is he keeping the happy commuters (or whatever) from trying to squeeze past (they WILL try)--he's giving you some directions. Backing from bright sunlight into a dim garage barely wide enough (between concrete columns) to fit you is no fun even when you have room to maneuver.

Remember to thank him when you're in. Profusely.

And there you are. Your trailer is firmly pressed to the dock. Your truck is blocking the bike lane, but only a foot or so is sticking out into the street.** All is well.

At least until you have to pull out.

*(Actually the light turned while you were desperately looking for an angle; and after three or four cars went past you, one took pity and hung back far enough. You DID acknowledge his kindness, right?)

**(This warehouse obviously predates 53' trailers...)