Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediters

Mudflap · Dec 11, 2006

Be careful when backing in to the loading docks at the Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV. If you are one who likes to drop your air bags before docking, the docks at this plant have these large metal platforms that extend out a long way and are quite high- with your air bags down they will catch your dolly legs and bend them up quite nicely as they did to mine

Mudflap

Broompilot · Dec 11, 2006

RE: Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediter

Never drop the air until you bump the dock, than pull up an inch. I will than if necessary let the air out, after I have lowered the landing gear thus all the weight is where it should be ON THE LANDING GEARS. Reverse the above in pulling out. I have never had a problem with this process.

Hope the damage was not to expensive to repair.

Mudflap · Dec 13, 2006

RE: Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediter

Well Mr. Broompilot I have to admit that the procedure you stated is the correct way to it. I got a bit cocky and ruined my landing gear, the one leg has to be replaced. Life in the rough tough tumble world of trucking :7 Mudflap

x06col · Dec 13, 2006

RE: Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediter

I can't imagine anyone backing with such a velocity that one would do much more than some minor sheet metal damage, let alone tear support legs loose. Maybe the thread should be renamed to - Beware DOCKS, here I come.

iheartfaye · Dec 13, 2006

RE: Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediter

I will never again take a load to the Buffalo WV plant for another reason. Living in Florence KY I get a lot of runs from Georgetown to Buffalo but they are usually pharmacy runs. Last month I took a load that was actually automotive parts and I was treated horribly.

Upon arrival at Buffalo, security had me pull forward and asked me to wait because they were not sure where my freight went. An hour later a girl in a security car escorted me to a door and just pointed, then drove off. I parked and went inside. There was no one around. Another hour of waiting, two hours total, I drove back to security and asked what was going on. A different guard made a phone call and the same girl that escorted me before had me follow her again.

This time I pulled up next to her and asked if someone is aware I am here and am I going to be unloaded. She was very rude and said that if I show up not knowing what dock to go to, then how should they know? So, I was staged on the opposite side of the building just because security didn't want to deal with me and stuck me there to sit. Who knows how long they would have left me there?

Unacceptable by all means, especially since the Buffalo plant is about as big as my house. It is smaller than most of the vendors I pick up at and they have a central receiving dock unlike the other Toyotas that have Transfreight coordinate the arrival of the freight.

Mudflap · Dec 14, 2006

RE: Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediter

Like the above post states, that Toyota plant is a bit weird to say the least. You put on nothing short of body armor to deliver there, and the docks are not, and I repeat NOT normal docks. These metal platforms extend out about 20 feet, and are made to lift those tall trailers that look like furniture vans to dock level.

I did not hit the platform hard at all, and was reversing at idle speed. In fact, I heard very little, but still stopped. It bent the Holland 150 at the foot and a little at the mounting bracket, but it does not work properly.

I attribute this still to being my own fault, but in turn I was not being a maniac. I value my equipment highly, and just wanted to make others aware of this potential hazard and to be cautious of it and follow proper procedures.

XO6COL this was my own mistake, and I only posted it so others could learn from it and be aware. I'm sure you have made a mistake or two yourself my friend. Happy Hoidays everyone! Mudflap

monte98465 · Dec 16, 2006

RE: Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediter

HELL I CAUGHT THIS DOCK TOO..BENT ONE OF MY PLATES IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION..HAD TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP TO GET REPAIRED. NOW I GOT A DAMAGED PLATE, WITH THE CORNER BENT DOWN THANKS TO THE METAL PLATES THAT SIT UP ABOUT 10 INCHES HIGHER OFF THE GROUND..IF U DON'T HIT THE DOCK PERFECTLY YOU WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR LANDING GEAR.

Bruno · Dec 17, 2006

RE: Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediter

It all comes down to the word GOAL.

Get out and look before you back into a dock.

Rikk · Dec 17, 2006

RE: Toyota plant in Buffalo, WV-- Beware expediter

This is just about normal for all the large auto plants. I have only been to 2 or 3 that were "pleasing"

Nothing you can do but deliver the freight and get out. Heck if they hold you up that's more $$$$ in your pocket.

As for the docking, you should never blow your bags and drive back, this is for a few reasons. #1 it is hell on your drive shaft and tranny yoke. Expediters have many more carrier barings than a "Normal" truck. When you drop the rear the frame drops down and the slack is taken up in a slip yoke about midway through the drive train and in some cases the yoke in the tranny. The other reason is what you found out.

I never dock on pltaform docs as they or not for our type of truck, they are usually for low-boys. If you do drop your landing gear will not sit correctly anyway.

At any rate, best wishes, and sorry you had to find out the way you did....

Happy, Happy, and a Merry Merry to you and yours.

Rikk

A. Blair
81406