DropSides

Dropsides are removable or hinged side panels on certain trucks, lorries, and trailers that can be lowered or detached to provide wide access for loading and unloading. They run along the cargo body's length and can be folded down to floor level or removed entirely, offering flexible side access for various loads.

Construction and variants: Dropsides are typically steel or aluminum, occasionally timber or composite. Panels attach to hinges or brackets with locking mechanisms to secure them in the raised position. Some configurations use removable rails, while others have hinged drops that lie along the bed when lowered. Larger dropside bodies may be integrated with flatbeds or exist as separate dropside trailers.

Applications and tradeoffs: Dropsides suit palletized goods, construction materials, and agricultural products, especially where side access or loading in constrained spaces is needed. Advantages include easy loading with a forklift, flexibility in load width, and lower floor position. Disadvantages include weather exposure, lower security, more maintenance for moving parts, and slower weatherproofing compared with enclosed bodies.

Regulatory and safety notes: The load must be restrained and sides locked for transit. Compliance with local road transport rules and load-securing standards is required. With a gradual shift toward curtain-sider and other enclosed bodies, dropsides are less common in new builds in some markets, but remain in service where their access advantages are essential.