How To Assemble LA Truss Wheel-In Dock System

This blog post contains instructions to assemble a basic dock configuration for use along a typical residential shoreline. Please read through the entire blog post before starting.

General Guidelines:

• Wear protective gloves and appropriate safety glasses when assembling the dock system.
• Inspect all parts to ensure the appropriate number of dock frames, hardware, legs, foot pads / wheels, and decking panels before assembly.
• Assemble dock system on flat level ground on shore for safety and ease of assembly. Do not assemble dock system in the water.
• Always have a helper to assemble dock system. We recommend a minimum of two people during assembly and installation.
• Measure your water depth prior to assembly to allow for approximate leg post heights during assembly / prior to dock installation.

Tools Required:  9/16” Wrench, ½” Wrench, ¾” wrench, ¾” Socket, Level, Jigsaw (for notching panels)

PARTS LIST:

Aluminum Truss Dock Frames:  4 x 16 Welded Truss Frame, 4 x 8 Welded Truss Frame, 4 x 8 Ramp Frame (Optional)
Dock Leg Components: 2” x 2” Aluminum Leg Posts, Foot Pads, 7’ Aluminum Uprights, Poly Tires, 2” Galvanized /ySteel Axle (4’ for straight dock, 8’ for L Section), Shore End Wheel Kit (Optional), Shore End Starter Kit (Optional)
Decking: 4’ x 4’ Tan Titan Decking
Bolt Bag / Hardware:  Varies depending on sections purchased and desired layout.

Typical LA Truss Dock Layouts:

For these assembly instructions we are building a 32’ dock with an 8’L
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Step 1.
​Layout dock frames on flat surface. Gather dock frame and connecting hardware. Start Assembly with the lake end/wheel end sections first. In this example we will assemble the 16’ lake and with 8’L section. Connect frames using ½” x 1.5” Hex Bolts and ½” Brass nuts through the pre-drilled holes in the dock frame. There will be 4 nuts and bolts per frame to frame connection.

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Step 2.
​Lift connected frames onto their side and insert the round leg uprights into the leg pockets within the frame. They will be the larger pockets approximately 4’ back from the front edge of the dock frame. Make sure the axle pockets welded to the bottom of the upright are at the bottom / will be underneath the dock once installed. Once both legs are at the approximate desired height for water depth, and the axle pockets are lined up to allow the axle to slide through, you can tighten the uprights in the leg pockets using the set bolts (1/2” square head nut with brass square nuts).

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Step 3.
​You can now install the axle through the axle pockets at the bottom of the uprights. If you are building a straight dock (4’ wide), the axle will be approximately 6’ long with enough length to allow you to place the dock wheels to the outside edge of the dock (outside of the uprights). If you are building and 8’ L dock, the axle will be approximately 8’ long with enough length to just extend past the axle pockets at the bottom of the uprights, with the wheels underneath the dock frame (to the inside of the uprights). 

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Step 4.
When installing the wheels onto the axle, ensure that the “nub” on the side of the wheel faces out when creating an 8’L dock. When building a straight / 4’ wide dock, the “nub” on the wheel should face in. Install large rings on both sides of each tire, and use the hex bolts and nuts inserted through the pre-drilled holes in the axle to hold the wheels in position. 

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Step 5.
Now you can tip the dock back over so that it is resting on its wheels. We recommend having another person help during this step. If you are building a 4’ wide / straight dock, you won’t need the chain stabilizers for your dock system. If you are building an 8’L dock layout, you can now install the stabilizer chains from the axle to the stabilizer chain plate on the dock frame. Attach the last link of one end of the chain through the bolt and insert into the pre-drilled hole in the axle. Then run the chain across and up to the other side of the dock system to the chain stabilizer plate and pull chain through until it is tight. Wrap the remaining chain around the dock frame to keep it out of the way. Next, install the second chain in the same way on the other side of the dock.

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Step 6.
Now we will assemble the “add on” dock frame before connecting it to the 16’ Lake and with 8’L. Insert the set bolts (1/2” square head bolts and square brass nuts) into the-add on leg pockets located about 2’ back from the front of the dock frame. Then slide the 2” x 2” leg posts into the add-on leg pockets to the approximate desired height, and tights the set bolts. Then slide the foot pads onto the bottom of the leg posts and tighten the square head bolts and brass square nuts to secure them to the leg posts.

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Step 7.
For most dock layouts the shore end of the dock frame can just rest on the shore. If adding a ramp, a starter leg kit can be added to the shore end of the dock frame.

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Step 8.
Now you can connect the add-on frame to the lake end frame using the ½” x 1.5” Hex Bolts and ½” Brass nuts through the pre-drilled holes in the dock frame. There will be 4 nuts and bolts per frame to frame connection. 

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Step 9.
After assembly and dock installation you can begin putting the 4’x4’ Tan Titan Decking panels onto the dock frames. Simply lay each titan decking panel into the top of the dock frame with the “Titan” logo facing so that it can be read as you walk back to shore. You will need to notch the Tan Titan decking panels at the locations where the dock leg posts extend through the dock frame. A jigsaw will cut through the Titan panels with ease.