Dropside Vans for Sale (159)

Dropside Truck Buyer’s Guide

The dropside truck is no different to any other when it comes to checking over the chassis, cab and driveline and, since there is relatively little that can go wrong with the body, the purchase should be relatively straightforward.

Key areas to check:

• What are the sides made from – wood/steel/aluminium?
  • Each material has its own benefits and downsides aluminium is lighter, but steel is stronger. Wood is easy to replace but less durable.
• What is the flooring made from?
  • Again, specialist woods are available, such as Keruing which are easy to repair and replace. Aluminium is a possibility, but the weight of steel makes this an unlikely choice.
• Does the Dropside have a tail lift?
  • Not a common feature on dropside trucks, as loading is often carried out using forklifts along the side – the main benefit of a dropside truck. Local deliveries without a forklift are necessary sometimes, so use the Truckpages keyword search to add tail lift to your search requirements.
• Are all lashing points in good condition?
  • Broken lashing points should be repaired by the seller before buying the truck – or at least negotiate a discount for the work.
• Is the body original to the truck or a new body on old chassis or second life body?
  • If the truck had a different body on previously, find out what it was, as it may give an indication of its earlier use. Many box bodied trucks are converted to dropsides for the used truck market.
• Does the truck come with a crane?
  • If you are looking for a dropside with a crane then look in the ‘crane trucks’ category on Truckpages