Dropside truck
Compare configurations
Compare dropside truck duty classes
| Configuration | Deck reference size and loading | Cargo use | Route fit | Main advantage | Selection limits and trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Duty | Reference deck length 3.3 to 4.2 m; width 1.6 to 2.1 m. Compact open body for manual or light forklift-assisted loading; check the lowered sideboard and handling path | Smaller general, agricultural and service cargo | Urban, local and access-constrained delivery routes | Easy side access with a compact vehicle footprint | Heavy or high-volume loads beyond the confirmed chassis duty |
| Medium Duty | Reference deck length 4 to 7.6 m; width 2 to 2.45 m. Balanced deck size and loading access for repeated distribution | Regional general cargo, materials and equipment | City-to-region and mixed commercial routes | Balances usable deck, access and manoeuvrability | Routes that cannot accommodate the finished truck or loads beyond its approved deck, payload or axle limits |
| Heavy Duty | Reference deck length 6.8 to 12 m; width 2.3 to 2.5 m. Larger open-deck configuration for planned mechanized loading | Higher-volume commercial, construction and regional cargo | Regional and trunk routes with suitable loading sites | Supports a larger deck and higher target payload | Compare cost and manoeuvrability on low-volume urban rounds; the finished truck must fit all restricted access points |
Before you choose a dropside truck
A dropside truck has sideboards that lower or detach as specified, opening access to the cargo deck. Compare it with a flatbed using the same cargo and loading path, with room to open or store the boards. Cargo dimensions and mass determine the deck space and loading equipment. Steel and aluminum sideboard reference options are listed for the Light-Duty Dropside; confirm the chosen material and opening arrangement for that model. The deck sizes are published family ranges; their maximum lengths and widths are not necessarily available together. Confirm the clear deck space with the sideboards closed on the proposed drawing.
Sideboards alone do not secure the cargo. Use the restraints and anchor points documented for the load, and check body size separately from finished-truck payload. A floor rating describes the floor's duty, not the truck's cargo allowance. The proposed duty class still has to meet legal payload and axle limits on the delivery route. For a quotation, send each cargo item's packed dimensions and mass, the unloading sequence and loading method, and the full accessory list. Ask for the completed-truck payload and axle review with that equipment fitted.
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