---
title: Different Truck Trailers When Picking a Dock Leveler
description: When pucking a loading dock leveler, we must keep in mind the different truck trailers that will be arriving to the loading dock bay.
---

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# [Different Truck Trailers When Picking a Dock Leveler](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/understanding-different-truck-trailers-when-picking-a-loading-dock-leveler)

 Written by [Wilford Ordoñez](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/author/wilford-ordonez) | Apr 21, 2016 2:05:54 PM

While consumers are used to seeing commercial trucks on the highway, most do not realize the vital role trucks play in everyday logistics. In fact, a large number of trucks are now on the road to help meet the daily demand for shipments and deliveries.

If your company is involved with operations that require a [loading dock](https://www.overhead-doors.com/loading-docks), it is important to understand how this large variety of commercial trucks affects the efficiency, productivity, and [safety of your loading dock](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/fire-safety-in-your-premises). This is especially important if you don’t have a captive fleet of trucks.

## Dock Levelers: One Size Does Not Fit All

To deal with the need for flexibility at the [loading dock](https://www.overhead-doors.com/loading-dock-equipment), manufacturers design and make available [specialty loading dock equipment](https://www.overhead-doors.com/loading-dock-equipment) that accommodates a range of truck types and sizes. One of the most useful items is the [loading dock leveler](https://www.overhead-doors.com/dock-levelers).

When you select and install the right loading[ dock leveler](https://www.overhead-doors.com/commercial-doors/loading-dock-levelers-photo-gallery) (also known as[ dock plate](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/what-is-a-mechanical-dock-leveler)), you can efficiently work with different truck bed heights and sizes. A [loading dock leveler](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hydraulic-dock-levelers) also addresses the problem of different grades at the [loading dock](https://www.overhead-doors.com/loading-dock-photo-gallery).

[Loading Dock Equipment: Roll-Up Door, Dock Leveler with Dock Bumpers, and Dock Seal](https://www.overhead-doors.com/commercial-doors/loading-dock-levelers-photo-gallery)

To illustrate just how many different truck types you have to consider, here is a list of just a few of the models you can find waiting at your [loading dock](https://www.overhead-doors.com/loading-docks):

- Double axel semi-trucks and trailers  
- Container trailers  
- Flatbeds  
- High cube vans  
- Reefers  
- Low boys  
- Panel  
- Stake trucks  
- City trucks and vans

Whether you’re shipping products from your manufacturing facility or receiving goods for a retail store, you can’t afford to have your [loading dock](https://www.overhead-doors.com/commercial-doors/loading-dock-levelers-photo-gallery) become a chokepoint due to the wrong-type truck showing up.

* Suggested Read: [Loading Docks Equipment for Beginners *](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/loading-docks-equipment-for-beginners)

If you are designing a new warehouse or distribution facility, or you need added flexibility at your current building, we can help. A call to [Overhead Door Company of The Meadowlands & NYC](https://www.overhead-doors.com/contact) is the first step to finding the ideal, personalized solution to all your [loading dock](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/loading-docks-equipment-for-beginners) needs. We work with only the most reliable manufacturers. Additionally, we sell, install, maintain and service the [loading dock equipment](https://www.overhead-doors.com/loading-dock-equipment).

For more information, please give us a call at 973-471-4060 or email us at [info@loadingdock.com](mailto:info@dockndoor.com) 

We service Northern New Jersey (Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Union, Essex, Morris, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Mercer and Somerset county/counties), Manhattan, New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Westchester and Rockland. 

24-hour emergency service available to our existing customers.

[View full post](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/understanding-different-truck-trailers-when-picking-a-loading-dock-leveler)

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