Loading dock automated trailer door systems

A method for operating a trailer door, the method comprising:

• contacting an engagement portion of a drive member with an external drive system mounted to a loading dock, a forklift, or an autonomous guided vehicle, wherein the drive member is—
• positioned on a trailer and accessible external to the trailer, and
• rotatably engaged with a torsion member that is operably coupled to a counterbalance shaft, wherein the counterbalance shaft is configured to be operably coupled to the trailer door, and wherein a rotation of the counterbalance shaft moves the trailer door between a closed position and an open position;
• and
• rotating the drive member via the engagement portion to rotate the torsion member and move the trailer door between the closed and open positions.

A method for operating a trailer door of a trailer, the method comprising:

• positioning a system for engaging a trailer above a trailer roof of the trailer, wherein the system is mounted to a loading dock, a forklift, or an autonomous guided vehicle, and wherein the system includes—
• a centering body,
• a first centering arm movable relative to the centering body along a lateral axis, the first centering arm having a first alignment member positioned at a first distal end portion thereof,
• a second centering arm movable relative to the centering body along the lateral axis, the second centering arm having a second alignment member positioned at a second distal end portion thereof;
• and
• a drive system having a rack and a pinion;
• moving, via the drive system, the first and second centering arms in opposite directions along the lateral axis, wherein a rotation of the pinion in a first direction causes the first and second distal end portions to translate along the lateral axis toward the centering body, and wherein a rotation of the pinion in a second direction causes the first and second distal end portions to translate along the lateral axis away the centering body;
• and
• contacting an engagement portion of a drive member with the drive system, wherein the drive member is—
• positioned on a trailer and accessible external to the trailer, and
• rotatably engaged with a torsion member that is operably coupled to a counterbalance shaft, wherein the counterbalance shaft is configured to be operably coupled to the trailer door, and wherein a rotation of the counterbalance shaft moves the trailer door between a closed position and an open position.