Doors
- Thread starter dpea9
- Start date
dispatchn1
Seasoned Expediter
roll up door
pros: you dont have to get out and open it before you back up to the dock
cons: after a few years the rollers get dirt and grime in them and need to be replaced and become hard to open
they usally cut down on the height of the the load you can carry.
by 2 to 3 "
swing doors:
look nicer and seal up better less chance of getting water inside your box
cons: hinges are on the outside of box when doors are open they add a couple " to your box width so you have the risk of door damage when backing into dock
pros: you dont have to get out and open it before you back up to the dock
cons: after a few years the rollers get dirt and grime in them and need to be replaced and become hard to open
they usally cut down on the height of the the load you can carry.
by 2 to 3 "
swing doors:
look nicer and seal up better less chance of getting water inside your box
cons: hinges are on the outside of box when doors are open they add a couple " to your box width so you have the risk of door damage when backing into dock
Besides not having to stand out in the bad weather to open and close the barn doors you also can keep the roll up door padlocked so nobody gets into your box until you want them to.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Roll up,all you need to do with the rollers is to clean the tracks every so often and hit the rollers with some WD 40. Big plus as others have ponted out is to keep the F/Lift driver out of the box until you are on the dock. Also should the F Lift driver be drunk as what happened to me once, and he decides to go through the doors with his F/Lift in high gear,with a rollup you will only need one cross panel replaced,but barn doors will need complete replacement..
rode2rouen
Expert Expediter
I have become a fan of roll-ups. When I drove Co. trucks they all had swing doors, the truck I bought has a roll-up. After using it for over 7mos., I like it better.
I have made 2 trips into Carnegie Body Co. in Cleveland,OH for roller and hinge repairs as it had not been properly maintained. Since the repairs, everything,s fine.
Rex
I have made 2 trips into Carnegie Body Co. in Cleveland,OH for roller and hinge repairs as it had not been properly maintained. Since the repairs, everything,s fine.
Rex
Last fall Pfizer’s Parsippany, NJ plant had notices posted in drivers’ lounge and sign in area that they would no longer load trucks with roll-up doors. We did have them and they loaded us any way, asked dispatcher about policy and was told they would get back to us. Never heard back and forgot about the issue until now.
Once we lost a load as opening wasn’t wide enough with roll up doors.
During inclement weather having barn doors isn't pleasant at all. I’ve heard horror stories about the dock workers from hell damaging boxes.
I’ve driven trucks that had both and I prefer barn doors.
Once we lost a load as opening wasn’t wide enough with roll up doors.
During inclement weather having barn doors isn't pleasant at all. I’ve heard horror stories about the dock workers from hell damaging boxes.
I’ve driven trucks that had both and I prefer barn doors.
>Usually the driver is too
>lazy to get off the lift and remove the load bars.
>
When I drove the truck with barn doors I kept the load bars at the back. I still had a couple times where I didn't have the dolly legs all the way down and the lift was bouncing into the truck.
My box opening with roll up door is 97.4" and in the barn door truck it was about 95.99". I almost lost a load because it wouldn't go through the barn doors until it was turned sideways. They had me run it with 4 pieces instead of 7 so I lucked out on that one. The roll up door is something they labeled an air cargo door. It gives a few extra inches opening width over a standard roll up. I'd do it again except I'd probably make my opening about 99" high instead of 103.5" high.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
>lazy to get off the lift and remove the load bars.
>
When I drove the truck with barn doors I kept the load bars at the back. I still had a couple times where I didn't have the dolly legs all the way down and the lift was bouncing into the truck.
My box opening with roll up door is 97.4" and in the barn door truck it was about 95.99". I almost lost a load because it wouldn't go through the barn doors until it was turned sideways. They had me run it with 4 pieces instead of 7 so I lucked out on that one. The roll up door is something they labeled an air cargo door. It gives a few extra inches opening width over a standard roll up. I'd do it again except I'd probably make my opening about 99" high instead of 103.5" high.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 4958, 5447
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
I would not let the BAD WEATHER convince me of not having barn doors. This is Expditing the most you open and close this in a day is twice, LTL yes there is more of a need when one is a PUD driver.
Moot had good advice, one piece of advice I can offer "More parts = more problems" Yes one can do PMs but that is also more work.
Barn doors are not a big deal and for the Extra couple of loads I have had given to me cause of the difference in the opening. All of the other trucks in the area were to small, this option has paid off. Just had one last night 101 inches high double stacked boxes that the customer insisted be stacked before going into the truck. (I still did not get the reasoning) but I was able to accomidate the request. Had my doors been roll up it I would not have been given the load.
Moot had good advice, one piece of advice I can offer "More parts = more problems" Yes one can do PMs but that is also more work.
Barn doors are not a big deal and for the Extra couple of loads I have had given to me cause of the difference in the opening. All of the other trucks in the area were to small, this option has paid off. Just had one last night 101 inches high double stacked boxes that the customer insisted be stacked before going into the truck. (I still did not get the reasoning) but I was able to accomidate the request. Had my doors been roll up it I would not have been given the load.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Regarding the load, the last two (20 skids) would not have been able to fit in if a fork lift had to stack the last two on top of the bottom last two. I was not thinking it thru when I posted above. This is why they needed the exra hieght and loaded all skids double stacked. Allthough the other 18 could have been loaded one at a time but would have taken forever.
We've used both kinds of doors on fleet owner trucks. Based on that experience, we chose a roll-up door for our own. In addition to the above pros and cons of both types, roll-up doors are safer when you are making an on-street delivery or pickup.
On a busy city street, especially at night, you don't have to step out into traffic to open your doors. On the sidewalk side, you don't have to worry about parking places that are pole-free...light poles, street signs, etc. that would prevent you from swinging your swing door all the way open. Gaining that parking space can be huge in places like Manhattan or downtown Philadelphia.
Roll-up doors (a/k/a overhead doors) are also safer at loading docks. If you look, you will see trailers with missing, damaged, or replaced swing doors almost every day. That damage happens when the truck next door backs into your open swing door, or when a driver exits a dock and catches the open swing door on the building door (indoor dock) or sign or the truck next door, or whatever.
Overhead doors are easier to use all the way around. To open or close one, you stand at the back of your truck and do so. To open or close swing doors, it is two trips to the side of your truck each time. And as often happens, it is also an additional stop near the dock; once to open the doors and then get back in the truck to back the truck to the dock, and again when departing....get in the truck, drive it forward enough to gain space to close the doors, get out of the truck, make two trips to each side of the truck to close the doors and finally go. With an overhead door, you close the door from inside the building, enter your truck and go.
On a busy city street, especially at night, you don't have to step out into traffic to open your doors. On the sidewalk side, you don't have to worry about parking places that are pole-free...light poles, street signs, etc. that would prevent you from swinging your swing door all the way open. Gaining that parking space can be huge in places like Manhattan or downtown Philadelphia.
Roll-up doors (a/k/a overhead doors) are also safer at loading docks. If you look, you will see trailers with missing, damaged, or replaced swing doors almost every day. That damage happens when the truck next door backs into your open swing door, or when a driver exits a dock and catches the open swing door on the building door (indoor dock) or sign or the truck next door, or whatever.
Overhead doors are easier to use all the way around. To open or close one, you stand at the back of your truck and do so. To open or close swing doors, it is two trips to the side of your truck each time. And as often happens, it is also an additional stop near the dock; once to open the doors and then get back in the truck to back the truck to the dock, and again when departing....get in the truck, drive it forward enough to gain space to close the doors, get out of the truck, make two trips to each side of the truck to close the doors and finally go. With an overhead door, you close the door from inside the building, enter your truck and go.
We have both in our fleet. The rollups are easier, but take more maintenance. We are sliding to barn doors for the extra capacity.
As Broom mentioned, you lose some flexibility with a rollup if something is too high.
As in another post, if you can platform some loads, you in most instances can get a tractor rate if the freight has the right configurations.
Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator
As Broom mentioned, you lose some flexibility with a rollup if something is too high.
As in another post, if you can platform some loads, you in most instances can get a tractor rate if the freight has the right configurations.
Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Thank you Dave, now I do not look as dumb as I sounded. Gee l9 months I have gained some knowledge. This business is not easy just gotta be a LITTLE SMARTER. Glad I was not the one left sitting in Nashville cause I had a ROLL UP DOOR, Now that I think of it that was there load I took. Thanks PANTHER... Nice 2K load you couldnt squeeze under that ROLL UP DOOR....
>just gotta be a LITTLE SMARTER.
That's why my roll up door opening is 97.5" wide by 103.3" high.. bigger than the opening on a regular truck swing door box. I have the benefits of the roll up door and a larger opening than a swing door box. I don't think I'll ever go back.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
That's why my roll up door opening is 97.5" wide by 103.3" high.. bigger than the opening on a regular truck swing door box. I have the benefits of the roll up door and a larger opening than a swing door box. I don't think I'll ever go back.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
LBD your the exception most boxes are generally around 98 put on a roll up and you just shrunk it to even less than that. I can brag also my height is almost 102 so I had just under 5 inches on that load to spare. I paid extra as anoption I am sure you did also. If I had roll ups would not have fit and my box is oversized in height and width you may have the height, but the width is where I gotcha cause 102 outside is the legal limit and thats where I am at minus one and half inches for the side walls actual width is 100.5 inches. I remember you saying that yours is also wide is it over 100?
I feel just my opinion barns are a better option for MAKING $ in this business more room = more freight not necessarly weight, just more room for freight. No Fork Lifts to damage the roller frames either, I have dent on my box frame to prove that I would have been put out service by one if I had roll ups. He slamed right into the corner of the box at the door opening. Sure they would have paid for any damage but the point is at whos inconvience another thing not to have to repair.
I feel just my opinion barns are a better option for MAKING $ in this business more room = more freight not necessarly weight, just more room for freight. No Fork Lifts to damage the roller frames either, I have dent on my box frame to prove that I would have been put out service by one if I had roll ups. He slamed right into the corner of the box at the door opening. Sure they would have paid for any damage but the point is at whos inconvience another thing not to have to repair.
Mine is also a 102" outside width. It's the same width as a 53' but about 1" shorter overall height. I think the sidewalls are more like 1.5" each but I'd have to measure to be sure. I'm sure the extra few inches affect mpg a little bit but not much in the grand scheme of things.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
With roll-up doors you have to sacrafice some interior width to accomodate the roller tracks. You will also give up some overhead clearance to accomodate the door in the open position.
Leo what is the over all height of your truck? I'm guessing just over 13'. Maybe 13'2?
A Team mentioned parking on busy streets and no worry about traffic and signs and poles. Valid points. I guess it's up to each owner to way the pros and cons and decide which is best for their operation.
Swing doors can be a hassle. Wind rain and traffic to name a few. I have pulled trailers with both type doors. I have found that roll-ups incur more damage. Fork lift damage to the tracks and door panels. Of course when some yoyo raises the mast and pops your door of the tracks they usually stop before they put the mast through the roof. With swing doors you get a skylight before they realize there is a clearance issue.
If it's strictly an issue of the bottom line. In other words $$$$$$. I think swing doors take it.
Just one van drivers opion. Oh yeah, I have a sliding door on the passenger's side and swing doors on the rear.
Leo what is the over all height of your truck? I'm guessing just over 13'. Maybe 13'2?
A Team mentioned parking on busy streets and no worry about traffic and signs and poles. Valid points. I guess it's up to each owner to way the pros and cons and decide which is best for their operation.
Swing doors can be a hassle. Wind rain and traffic to name a few. I have pulled trailers with both type doors. I have found that roll-ups incur more damage. Fork lift damage to the tracks and door panels. Of course when some yoyo raises the mast and pops your door of the tracks they usually stop before they put the mast through the roof. With swing doors you get a skylight before they realize there is a clearance issue.
If it's strictly an issue of the bottom line. In other words $$$$$$. I think swing doors take it.
Just one van drivers opion. Oh yeah, I have a sliding door on the passenger's side and swing doors on the rear.
While we chose a roll-up door for our truck, we do not discount the advantages of swing doors. They are stronger. They seal the body better when closed. In reefer applications, they hold temps better. And in many cases, they provide additional door height. We considered all of those factors before choosing an overhead door. In our case, the roll-up door won out due to safety considerations, convenience, and the ability to protect our equipment if we are not at the dock but the truck is. As White Glove drivers, we carry a lot of valuable freight-handling equipment.
The point about the kind of freight your carrier offers is important when making the swing/overhead-door decision. We have driven trucks with both kinds of doors. Maybe once or twice in three years we had a load that could fit through swing doors that could not fit through barn doors. We're not general freight haulers. We seldom see loads that are taller than we are (under 6 feet).
Frankly, we don't want tall loads in our truck. If you load them with a pallet jack, they are top-heavy and dangerous for that reason. If a fork lift loads them, you have good reason to fear the forklift operator may damage your truck. If your truck is full of tall freight, your risk of a rollover is increased. Unless you are well-equipped with load bars, straps and such, and predisposed to use them, the risk that the freight may topple inside your truck is also increased, along with the risks of a freight damage claim.
Thus, overhead doors have and additional advantage. They keep tall freight out of your truck.
Yes, the arguement can be made that you'd rather haul tall freight than sit and haul no freight at all. We considered that but our experience was that tall freight is rare. When we sat, it was not tall freight that got us rolling again. We seldom saw tall freight, even when we had tall door openings.
Since we open the back door many times a week, the convenience and safety of a roll-up door outweighted the swing-door disadvantages. The slim chance that a tall load may one day get us moving when we might otherwise sit was more than offset by the roll-up door advantages.
One team's choice based on experience with a particular division with a particular carrier. What is best for us is not best for all.
When making the decision yourself, the best information you can consult is your own run journals. If you are not keeping track of the freight you haul, you should. With a good run journal, you won't have to ask others for advice about door types. Your freight will tell you.
The point about the kind of freight your carrier offers is important when making the swing/overhead-door decision. We have driven trucks with both kinds of doors. Maybe once or twice in three years we had a load that could fit through swing doors that could not fit through barn doors. We're not general freight haulers. We seldom see loads that are taller than we are (under 6 feet).
Frankly, we don't want tall loads in our truck. If you load them with a pallet jack, they are top-heavy and dangerous for that reason. If a fork lift loads them, you have good reason to fear the forklift operator may damage your truck. If your truck is full of tall freight, your risk of a rollover is increased. Unless you are well-equipped with load bars, straps and such, and predisposed to use them, the risk that the freight may topple inside your truck is also increased, along with the risks of a freight damage claim.
Thus, overhead doors have and additional advantage. They keep tall freight out of your truck.
Yes, the arguement can be made that you'd rather haul tall freight than sit and haul no freight at all. We considered that but our experience was that tall freight is rare. When we sat, it was not tall freight that got us rolling again. We seldom saw tall freight, even when we had tall door openings.
Since we open the back door many times a week, the convenience and safety of a roll-up door outweighted the swing-door disadvantages. The slim chance that a tall load may one day get us moving when we might otherwise sit was more than offset by the roll-up door advantages.
One team's choice based on experience with a particular division with a particular carrier. What is best for us is not best for all.
When making the decision yourself, the best information you can consult is your own run journals. If you are not keeping track of the freight you haul, you should. With a good run journal, you won't have to ask others for advice about door types. Your freight will tell you.