Wheel Guides

Wheel guides steer a vehicle's wheel along the correct line while reversing to a dock, before the driver has a chance to miss it.

Available diameters are 76.1, 114.3 and 159 mm. The element is installed on both sides of the bay so that it forms a corridor guiding the wheels — the driver corrects the line by leaning on the guide instead of aiming through mirrors.

Reversing to a dock is a manoeuvre done blind

When reversing a trailer, the driver sees neither the dock edge, nor the buffers, nor how close the wall is. They steer from memory and from mirrors, correcting the line over several movements. A wheel guide turns that guesswork into mechanical contact: the wheel touches the guide and returns to the correct line.

• loading bays and docks
• approach ramps and dock levellers
• entries through narrow gates and passages
• vehicle wash and service bays

What breaks when the guide is missing

Damage at a dock rarely involves the vehicle itself. What suffers are dock buffers, door seals, guide rails, and on a badly judged approach the leveller structure too. These are awkward repairs, because they concern a bay that cannot be taken out of service without consequences for the whole site's logistics.

Choosing the diameter

76.1 mm suits delivery vehicles and light traffic. 114.3 mm is the usual choice at bays serving lorries. 159 mm is used where the guide must withstand a loaded trailer wheel leaning against it as a matter of routine.