Trailer Restraint & Dock Lock Repair in Spokane & Spokane Valley, WA
For trailer restraint and dock lock repair in Spokane and Spokane Valley, WA, call (385) 325-7138 about a restraint that won't engage, won't release, or shows the wrong lights. Tell us the facility location, the bay, and whether a trailer is at the dock.
Call to describe the problem—if the door is stuck open or the dock is down, say so first.
Independent service-request website. Calls may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company. That provider confirms availability, scope, pricing, and service terms.
Facts checked: September 23, 2026.
What is a trailer restraint?
A trailer restraint, also called a vehicle restraint, truck restraint or dock lock, is a device at the dock designed to help prevent a parked trailer from moving away while people and forklifts move between the building and trailer. Most use a hook or bar that grabs the trailer's rear bumper bar. Red and green lights inside and outside communicate the restraint's indicated status to the dock crew and driver.
| What's not working | Where it belongs |
|---|---|
| The hook or arm that holds the trailer, its controls or its lights | This page |
| The ramp in the dock floor | Dock leveler repair |
| Dock lights, bumpers, seals or shelters | Dock equipment repair |
| Wheel chocks by themselves | Dock equipment repair |
| The trailer itself, including its bumper bar | Not covered. That's truck or trailer repair |
What kind of restraint is it?
| Type | How it works, in plain words | What to mention |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-impact-guard (RIG) restraint | A powered hook rises and grabs the steel bar under the back of the trailer | Hook-style dock lock |
| Wheel-based restraint | A powered arm or block holds a rear tire | Wheel restraint |
| Manual restraint | A worker sets it by hand, often with a handle or pole | Manual restraint |
| Interlocked system | The restraint is wired to the leveler, door or both so they work in order | It's tied to the leveler or tied to the door |
If you already know the brand, say it. Rite-Hite and Blue Giant make restraints. That's for recognition only, not a sign that any provider is authorized for a brand.
The national standard for vehicle restraints is ANSI MH30.3-2022, "Performance and Testing of Vehicle Restraining Devices" (ANSI). It's for makers and providers. You don't need to read it.
What's the restraint doing?
Restraint trouble shows up as a hook that won't catch, a hook that won't let go, lights that don't match what's happening, or a leveler or door that won't work because the restraint says "not locked." Describe it from the dock controls. The provider inspects the rest.
| What you see | What a qualified provider may inspect | Why it matters | What to mention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Won't engage the trailer | Hook, motor or hydraulics, sensors, the trailer's bumper bar position | The trailer isn't held | Hook won't come up on bay 2 |
| Won't release, driver waiting | Hook, drive, controls, whether the trailer is pressing on it | The trailer can't leave, and forcing it can damage both | It won't let go and the driver needs to leave |
| Lights don't match (green when not locked, red when locked) | Sensors, light wiring, controls | Wrong lights can send a driver off with people inside the trailer | Outside light shows green but the hook's down |
| Alarm keeps sounding | Sensors, controls | The system thinks something is wrong | Alarm on bay 2 won't stop |
| Leveler or door won't work until it's locked | Interlock wiring, sensors | The interlock may be doing its job, or may have a fault | Leveler won't run, says not locked |
| Visibly bent or knocked loose | Frame, mounting, hook | A trailer may have backed in hard | The restraint looks bent |
A driver is waiting and the restraint won't release
This is the call that feels most urgent. Stay calm and don't force anything.
- Don't pry the hook, bypass the controls, or tell the driver to pull away.
- Keep people out of the trailer and away from the dock edge.
- Follow your facility's own process for the bay and for the driver.
- Call (385) 325-7138 and say a trailer is stuck at the dock.
Example of what to say: "The dock lock at bay 2 in our Spokane Valley building won't release and the driver needs to pull out."
The provider tells you on the call whether it can take the job and when.
If a trailer is stuck at the dock, say so first.
What Washington's rules say about keeping trailers in place
Washington runs its own workplace safety program through L&I's Division of Occupational Safety and Health, called DOSH (OSHA). Two Washington rules speak to this:
- Forklift loading. "You must prevent movement of trucks or trailers during loading or unloading by: (a) Setting the brakes; and (b) Chocking or blocking the wheels" (WAC 296-863-40050).
- Dockboards. "Positive protective measures, such as wheel chocks or sand shoes, are used to prevent the transport vehicle… from moving while employees are on the dockboard" (WAC 296-24-75006).
The same Washington forklift rule expressly permits mechanical means instead of wheel chocks or blocks to secure the trailer to the dock. It says chocks or blocks are not required when the mechanical means prevents movement away from the dock, the equipment is used and maintained as its manufacturer recommends, and damaged mechanical equipment is immediately removed from service. Your safety program and L&I determine how that rule applies at your bay. The federal 29 CFR 1910.178 gives background; Washington's rule governs this Washington workplace.
The provider fixes the restraint. More background: vehicle restraints vs. wheel chocks.
What's covered and what isn't
Covered: powered and manual trailer restraints, hooks, arms, drives, hydraulics, sensors, controls, inside and outside communication lights, alarms, and interlocks with levelers and doors.
Not covered:
- Trailers, trailer bumper bars and truck repair
- Concrete dock face repair (a separate trade)
- Boat docks and boat lifts
- Parts-only orders
What happens when you call
- You call and describe the restraint. Say which bay, what it's doing, and whether a trailer is there.
- The call may be shared with an independent repair company. Uptime doesn't send technicians.
- That company confirms the details. It confirms whether it can take the job, when, the scope and the price, and works under its own terms.
If you reach voicemail, leave the facility address, the door or dock number if known, what's wrong, and a callback number.
More on the model: how Uptime works.
What helps on the call
The address, the bay and what the restraint is doing are enough. These help if you know them:
- Hook-style, wheel-style or manual
- What color the inside and outside lights show
- Whether it's tied to the leveler or door
- Whether a trailer is at the dock right now
- The brand, if you already know it
Read the lights from the control panel. Don't go out to the dock face to look at the hook.
What does trailer restraint repair cost?
We can't quote your restraint repair from a web page. The price depends on the restraint type, the fault, parts, and access. Here's what to ask before you authorize work.
| Cost driver | Why it changes the price | Ask this |
|---|---|---|
| Trip or diagnostic charge | Many companies charge to come look | "Is there a trip charge?" |
| Type of restraint | Powered hook, wheel and manual units use different parts | "What parts does our type use?" |
| Controls and lights vs mechanical damage | A sensor or light is smaller than a bent hook or frame | "Is it controls or mechanical?" |
| Interlocks | Wiring to the leveler or door adds work | "Does the interlock need work too?" |
| Parts for older units | Older models can need special-order parts | "Are parts in stock?" |
| After-hours work | Some companies charge more nights and weekends, and not all offer it | "Do you work after hours, and at what rate?" |
Get the scope in writing and ask what warranty the provider gives.
Call to get the restraint priced by the provider.
Before you hire: Washington checks
Powered restraints and their lights are wired. In the City of Spokane, electrical permits come from the City. Elsewhere in the area they come from Washington L&I (L&I list). Check the company's contractor registration on L&I's Verify a Contractor, Tradesperson or Business. Ask who pulls any permit if new wiring is involved.
Where you can call from
Calls are welcome from facilities in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Airway Heights and the West Plains, Liberty Lake, Millwood, Cheney, Medical Lake, Deer Park, the north county and Stevens County. The provider confirms the address and whether it can take the job. See the service area or go back to the Spokane & Spokane Valley loading dock repair page.
Questions about trailer restraints
Do we still need wheel chocks if we have a restraint?
Washington's forklift rule allows a mechanical restraint instead of chocks or blocks if it prevents the trailer from moving away, is used and maintained as its manufacturer recommends, and damaged equipment is removed from service immediately. Your safety program and L&I determine how that applies at your bay. See vehicle restraints vs. wheel chocks.
Why do the lights show red when the trailer is locked?
It can be a sensor, a light, a wiring fault or a setting. Tell the provider exactly what each light shows. They check it.
Can a restraint be added to a bay that doesn't have one?
Often, yes. It's an installation job, not a repair. Say so on the call so the provider can plan it.
Should the leveler be checked at the same time?
If the restraint is tied to the leveler, it's worth asking. See dock leveler repair.
Get the bay safe and moving again
Tell us which bay and what the restraint is doing. If a trailer is stuck at the dock, say so first.
Independent service-request website. Calls may be shared with an independent commercial dock-and-door repair company. That provider confirms availability, scope, pricing, and service terms.
Sources
Core sources checked September 23, 2026. WAC 296-863-40050 rechecked September 24, 2026.