Dropside, box body, refrigerated, curtain side or chassis cab — which one suits your business? Compare each body type and find the right fit.
| Body Type | Best For | Key Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Dropside | Building materials, hardware, general loads and anything loaded from the side | Is the load easy to secure, and is side loading needed? |
| Box body | Furniture, parcels, retail goods and protected cargo needing weather protection | Does the cargo need weather protection and lockable storage? |
| Refrigerated | Food, meat, frozen goods and temperature-sensitive stock | Is the fridge unit working and suitable for the required temperature range? |
| Curtain side | Palletised goods and faster loading from the side | Will forklifts load from the side, and is the curtain condition good? |
| Chassis cab | Custom bodies, specialist builds and superstructure mounting | What body must be fitted, and is the chassis suitable for the job? |
Dropside trucks feature sides that open downwards, making them ideal for building materials, hardware and loads that need to be loaded from the side. They are one of the most versatile body types for general transport.
Common uses include construction material delivery, landscaping supplies, refuse collection and general freight. The open design makes loading and unloading quick, but the load is exposed to weather.
Box body trucks offer enclosed, lockable storage that protects cargo from weather and theft. They are ideal for furniture, retail goods, parcels and protected cargo.
Box bodies are available in various sizes and configurations including tail lifts for easier unloading. They are popular for furniture removals, retail distribution and courier work.
Refrigerated trucks (also called reefer trucks) maintain specific temperature ranges for food, frozen goods and temperature-sensitive products. They are essential for the cold chain logistics industry.
When buying a used refrigerated truck, always check the fridge unit condition, temperature range capability, insulation integrity and service history of the refrigeration system.
Curtain side trucks feature curtain sides that open for side loading with forklifts. They are ideal for palletised goods and operations where fast loading and unloading is essential.
Commonly used for palletised freight, warehousing distribution and logistics operations. Check curtain condition and side rail integrity when inspecting a used curtain side truck.
A chassis cab provides the cab and running chassis but no body — allowing the buyer to fit a custom body or superstructure for their specific needs. This is ideal for specialist applications.
Common uses include tippers, tankers, drop-side bodies, utility bodies, fire trucks and other specialist builds. When buying a chassis cab, confirm the chassis specifications match the body you plan to fit.
The five common body types are dropside, box body, refrigerated, curtain side and chassis cab. Each suits a different kind of load: dropside for general and side-loaded goods, box for protected cargo, refrigerated for temperature-sensitive stock, curtain side for pallets, and chassis cab for custom builds.
A dropside truck is best for building materials, hardware and general loads. The sides open downwards, so the load can be reached from either side and is easy to load and unload with a forklift or by hand.
A curtain side body suits palletised goods and gives faster loading from the side. Check that forklifts can load from the side on your premises and that the curtain itself is in good condition before buying.
A chassis cab is a truck supplied without a load body, so a custom body or superstructure can be fitted. Common uses include tippers, tankers, dropside bodies, utility bodies and fire trucks. Confirm the chassis specifications match the body you plan to fit.
Check that the fridge unit works and can hold the temperature range your stock requires. Also inspect the insulation panels and door gaskets, since failed seals drive up running costs and put temperature-sensitive loads at risk.
Contact our team for advice on the right truck body for your business.
Contact Our Team