Why Dock Truck Restraints Are Valuable

Dock truck restraints are valuable material handling equipment. Here is why, according to beacontechnology.com. Dock truck restraints:

• Help prevent trucks from prematurely pulling away from docks
• Reduce the chance of accidents
• Help reduce the chance of load shifting
• Reduce the chance of trailer creep

Dock truck restraints have a 10-inch lowered height and a 30-inch raised height. This allows it to service a wide range of trailers. And, as a bonus, your company may receive lower insurance premiums by installing dock truck restraints. Dock truck restraints are installed in front of the dock wall. No concrete or pit work is required. But 4-inch thick bumpers are, in fact, required.

How to Choose the Right Trailer Restraint

Not all trailer restraints perform in the same way. Wondering how to choose the right trailer restraint for your job? Here is what you need to consider, courtesy of ritehite.com:

• Your specific needs such as the types of trailers you service, your dock layout, loading practices and facility design
• Restraint effectiveness against trailer creep such as below dock endloads and air-ride trailers
• Restraint effectiveness against early departure such as gradual versus aggressive pull out attempts and the effectiveness of different restraint designs
• Restraint effectiveness against trailer tipover such as landing gear failure, trailer up-ending and collision with other trucks
• Communication such as system components and safe/unsafe condition alerts

Different Types of Trailer Restraints

There are different types of trailer restraints. The following is a description of them, courtesy of ritehite.com.

• RIG dependant restraints: attach onto the trailer's RIG (rear impact guard or ICC bar)
• Vertical barrier restraints: can address trailer creep and early departure
• Rotating hook restraints: can address trailer creep, early departure, landing gear failure and trailer tipover
• Wheel dependant restraint: engages the trailer's rear wheel instead of the RIG. Used often with lift gate trailers

Truck Restraint Safety

When using truck restraints, you must exercise caution. Otherwise serious injury or death can occur. Here are some safety tips when it comes to using truck restraints, courtesy of beacontechnology.com:

• Visually inspect the unit each time it is used
• Make special note of proper caution light operation and correct hook movement
• Standard lock out/tag out procedures must be enforced in case of LED light failure, the hook doesn't move because of debris or damage or any type of electrical or mechanical malfunction
• Be warned that premature trailer departure could result in severe injury or even death. Always visually inspect the unit to make sure the unit is secured to the ICC bar.

Trailer Restraints and Air-Ride Trailers

If you service air-ride trailers, you need to know which trailer restraints work best with them. According to ritehite.com, one third of all trucks have air-ride suspensions in which an air-inflated bladder supports the trailer. Therefore, as forklifts come and go, the trailer bed height can fluctuate by several inches. Your trailer restraint must always keep its grip during this. A restraint that exerts substantial, consistent pressure against the lower surface of the rear impact guard has the best chance of maintaining safe engagement during rapid bed height movement.