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Are you looking to buy a new van for your business? With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one will be the best. Dropside vans have grown to be the vehicle of choice for companies in various industries, and they may also be perfect for you. So what is a dropside van, and what are the defining features of this vehicle?
A dropside van is a van that has hinges that you can lower or drop down to facilitate the loading of cargo. In this article, we’ll explore the features of a dropside van and compare it to other similar vehicles.
Table Of Contents
What Is A Dropside
A dropside is an open-body vehicle with hinges that allow you to lower the sides of the van to make loading and unloading easier. Dropside vans are popular in various industries as companies use them to carry various loads, including furniture, building materials and plant equipment.
There are two types of dropside vans: single and double-cab vans. Single-cab vans have a single row of seats in the crew cab, while double-cab vans have two rows of seats. The double-cab van allows you to carry up to six passengers, but single-cab vans can transport only between two and three people.
Tip: You can equip your dropside van with a tail lift to facilitate easy loading and unloading.
Is A Dropside A Van Or A Truck?
A dropside is a truck (or at least more of a truck than a van), but it is commonly known as a van. When referring to this open-bed truck, you can use the terms ‘dropside truck’ and ‘dropside van’ interchangeably. Most vans are enclosed and designed for the transportation of people and cargo, but dropside trucks are mostly used to carry irregular-shaped loads and equipment.
When it comes to size, these vehicles range from 3.5 and 7.5-tonne dropside to 18-tonne units and larger. Examples of popular dropside models include the Renault Master Dropside, the Nissan Nt400 Cabstar and the Peugeot Boxer Dropside.
Read more about the different types of vans.
The Advantages Of A Dropside Van
Here are the five major benefits of using a dropside van:
- Loading efficiency: The open body design and lowerable sides grant easy access, making it easy to load and unload items into a dropside van.
- Durable: The dropside truck has a durable design, which makes it great for heavy-duty jobs.
- Greater payload: The unique design of the dropside makes it suitable for carrying a high payload. Dropside trucks may have maximum payloads of up to 1,500 kg (1.5 tonnes).
- Great visibility: The large windscreen and lowered back ensure great front and rear visibility.
- Versatility: Dropside trucks are suitable for transporting irregular-shaped materials and equipment for construction, landscaping and scaffolding companies due to their open load area.
Reach out to SDVH for your dropside van hire needs. We cater to rental demands all across the UK.
Dropside VS Flatbed
There are many similarities between dropside and flatbed trucks, but they are not the same. In accordance with its name, a flatbed truck, also known as a flatbed lorry, has an open flatbed body. These vehicles are popular among companies in the construction sector and similar industries. Flatbed trucks have no sides at all, which allows them to maximise space. They are suitable for transporting tall items, oversized cargo and irregularly shaped or sized items.
The major difference between a dropside and a flatbed truck is that a dropside has foldable sides that are hinged to the bottom, while a flatbed truck has no sides. After loading items into the dropside van, you can raise the sides to prevent them from falling out. However, flatbed trucks secure loads using straps, which are fixed to rope hooks or anchors positioned around the bed.
Flatbed and dropside trucks have a non-slip coating to prevent cargo from slipping during wet weather.
Dropside Vs Tipper
A tipper van is a light commercial vehicle that is capable of carrying heavy materials. A tipper has an open body, which makes it suitable for carrying a variety of loads and equipment. Tipper vans are also equipped with an under-floor tipping system that allows them to tip the body of the vehicle to unload materials faster.
Most low-cost tippers only tip backwards, but there are three-way tippers that can tilt to either side of the vehicle, as well as the rear. Tipper vans are suitable for light construction transportation in cases where you need to transport aggregate materials like sand and gravel. There are also tipper trucks, mich bigger vehicles.
Tip: Do not overload your dropside van so you don’t get fined by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
Dropside vans do not tip in any direction. They often come with a tail lift, or you have to manually unload cargo from the load area. Both vehicles have similar designs, but a tipper is the best option when you need a vehicle that can unload aggregate materials quickly due to its tipping mechanism.
Learn more about what a tipper truck is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type Of Vehicle Is A Dropside?
A dropside is a type of commercial vehicle with an open-body design. Dropside trucks have short folding sides that are hinged at the bottom, which you can drop down to make loading and unloading easier. Dropside vans are popular among scaffolding and construction companies for carrying bricks, scaffolding pipes and irregular-shaped materials.
What Do You Use A Dropside Van For?
You use a dropside van for transporting construction materials such as drywall, lumber and pipes. These vehicles are also popular among agricultural companies, which use them to transport livestock feed and other supplies. How much weight a dropside van can carry depends on its size.
What Is The Difference Between A Dropside Truck And A Flatbed Truck?
The difference between a dropside truck and a flatbed truck is that a dropside truck has foldable sizes that are hinged to the bottom, while a flatbed truck has no sides. Flatbed trucks have straps or ropes that you can use to secure loads and prevent them from falling off. Flatbed trucks are best for transporting bulky items like machinery, while dropsides are suitable for smaller items.
What Is The Difference Between A Tipper And A Dropside?
The difference between a tipper and a dropside is that a tipper features an under-floor tipping system that allows it to tilt and empty its contents. On the other hand, a dropside has foldable sides that you can lower when you need to load or unload cargo. Tippers transport aggregate materials, while dropside trucks are suitable for carrying irregular-shaped materials.
Conclusion
Now you have a clear answer to your question, ‘What is a dropside van?’ Basically, a dropside is a vehicle with an open-bed and lowerable sides. The unique design of this van makes it suitable for transporting various materials, which is why it is popular among companies in various industries. People use the words ‘van’ and ‘truck’ interchangeably to describe these useful vehicles.
