If you don’t have a dock, loading or unloading cargo can become very stressful very quickly. That’s why we have prepared some tips for you in case you don’t know what to do next and training for truck dispatcher.
1) Think ahead and be prepared.
If the car arrives, and you do not have the opportunity to load or unload cargo, the driver will simply leave. This will result in avoidable delays or additional costs as carriers may charge you for delaying your car.
That’s why it’s important to always think ahead and plan how to load/unload.
2) Use a forklift.
A forklift is a small two-prong front powered vehicle that can be slid under heavy loads and then raised to move and stack materials in warehouses, shipping depots, etc.
If any location has a forklift instead of a dock, you do not need to provide this detail when booking the shipment.
If a forklift is not available to you, but you really need to get the load on schedule, consider renting one. If the load is too big or too heavy for the tailgate (see below), then this might be the best option for you.
3) Ask for a car with a tail lift.
If you don’t have a dock or forklift, just ask for a car with a tail lift. On such a machine, the rear gate is a small hydraulic lift at the back of the truck that is used to bring cargo from the body to ground level.
Such a car will cost more, but it will be more profitable than paying a second time when it turns out that you cannot unload things and you have to change the car.
It is important to note that the back gate has its limitations. The average tailgate can hold 600 – 700 kg of weight and is about 180 x 120 x 200 cm in size.
4) Use the loading ramp.
The loading ramp provides access to the rear of the truck, it is an incline used for loading and unloading materials that serves the same purpose as the dock.
If you plan on shipping frequently, consider getting a loading ramp. Some ramps are mounted on wheels, allowing you to move them out of the way when you are not using them.
5) Load/unload your cargo manually
If you do not have loading equipment and you are transporting something light, feel free to load or unload it manually.
6) Pick up things yourself.
Your consignee does not have a forklift and a tail lift is too expensive? Why don’t they pick up their cargo at the nearest carrier terminal?
This is generally the cheapest option for those who don’t have docking stations.
This will count the shipment as being sent to the dock business. The consignee can then pick it up as far as possible.
7) Ask the driver to help.
Not all drivers provide these services, but it is possible if you discuss everything with the company operator in advance.
Driver assistance also falls under a special category of service and is provided for an additional fee.
8) Loading / unloading with a crane.
If you are shipping a very large shipment with a flatbed truck, you will most likely need a crane.
You may want to order with loading and unloading with a crane. Cranes are used to transport bulky goods that cannot be unloaded by a forklift.
Cranes due to their specifics are paid as special services.
