It is easy to load or unload a dock height box truck when a forklift can drive inside and out the box truck. But when the box truck backs into a loading dock and it is not firmly attached to the ramp, the truck can tip over or fall.
That is why when considering acquiring a box truck, the most important thing to take into account is whether or not the box will be able to dock properly with the locations you work.
What does dock height box truck mean
A loading dock height is the distance from the ground to the base of the dock.
Dock-high box trucks are the kind of vehicles that are designed to maneuver easily into a loading dock.
Dock-high trailer floors are as tall as the warehouse's loading docks allowing them to bridge in together.
That configuration allows forklifts to drive in and out of the trailer providing easier and faster loading or unloading processes.
Dock-high trucks improve efficiency and productivity at the loading dock. They can also help to prevent injuries during the loading or unloading process.
The importance of dock height box trucks
Before arriving with your box truck at a warehouse dock, it is important to make sure that the box truck's trailer floor height matches the dock height.
Otherwise, if they don't match, it can cause problems during the loading or unloading process.
The standard loading dock height is important for a number of reasons.
First, it ensures that the goods can be safely and easily loaded and unloaded from the truck.
Second, it helps to prevent damage to the goods during loading and unloading.
And third, it helps to prevent accidents and injuries by keeping the loading dock at a safe and consistent height
What is the standard dock height?
In the United States, in most warehouses, the standard loading dock height is between 48” and 52”.
However, some warehouses have dock heights as tall as 55”.
How do I make my box truck dock high?
Lower differences result in less angulation of the dock leveler deck assembly which is easier on fork lift brakes and transmissions.
It also results in less impact loading to the dock leveler structure and a smoother transition across the dock leveler.
That said most facilities experience trucks with some differences in the truck bed height. The dock leveler accommodates these differences as long as they are not excessive.
What is a dock leveler
A dock leveler is an adjustable height ramp that is used between the trailer's bed and the loading dock floor.
The adjustable height feature of a dock leveler allows to transfer safely the products from a box truck that has its trailer floor height below or above the dock height.
How do dock levelers work?
Dock levelers are hydraulic platforms on the bottom of modern warehouse loading docks.
These hydraulic platforms have a lip that extends up or down to the floor of any trailer creating a bridge between the dock and the trailer next to it.
After that connection is made, forklifts can easily drive in and out for fast loading or unloading.
Dock levelers can operate up to 12″ above and below the installed dock height. As a result, this allows a 48″ high dock to operate as low as 36″, and as high as 60″.
Conclusion
The optimal dock height for a box truck is between 48 and 52 inches. This allows the driver to comfortably load and unload the truck without having to strain their back.
If the dock is too high or too low, it can lead to injuries for the driver. The most important factor when deciding on a dock height for box trucks is to ensure that the height is comfortable for the workers who will be using it.
It is also important to consider the height of the loading dock in relation to the height of the box truck. The goal is to have a dock height that is high enough to make loading and unloading the box truck easy, but not so high that it is difficult to reach.
