--- title: Which Dock Bumper Should Be Installed On My Loading Dock? description: Learn the main purpose of dock bumpers, and which dock bumper works best for light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty applications. image: https://www.overhead-doors.com/hubfs/Rubber%20dock%20bumpers%20with%20dock%20leveler%2c%20dock%20door%20and%20dock%20seal%20in%20NJ%20NYC%20area.png --- [Home](https://www.overhead-doors.com) | [Contact Us](https://www.overhead-doors.com/contact/) | [Blog](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog) [![Overhead-Door-logo](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Overhead-Door-logo.png?width=248&name=Overhead-Door-logo.png)](https://www.overhead-doors.com) Overhead Door Company of The Meadowlands & NYC [24 HR Emergency 1-800-362-6367](tel:+18003626367)         [![SCHEDULE SERVICE](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/167911/a6079eaf-3a9a-4be3-af9f-40060b92f021.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/167911/a6079eaf-3a9a-4be3-af9f-40060b92f021)          [![SCHEDULE ESTIMATE](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/167911/92234230-1cbb-48ae-9a40-a78072e9e4bf.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/167911/92234230-1cbb-48ae-9a40-a78072e9e4bf) ## NYC & NJ Finest Commercial Doors & Loading Docks # Which Dock Bumper Should Be Installed On My Loading Dock? Posted by [Loading Dock Expert](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/author/loading-dock-expert) on Jan 24, 2023 8:08:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) The main purposes of [dock bumpers](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/dock-bumpers-and-their-benefits) are to protect against impact damage of the truck bed when loading or unloading, to protect against up and down movement of the truck bed during loading/unloading, and to protect the dock and the vehicle from the impact of trailers being reversed loading or unloading in the dock [Loading dock bumpers](https://www.overhead-doors.com/dock-bumpers) absorb up to 90/95% of the impact of a backing truck striking the dock. [![Rubber dock bumpers with dock leveler, dock door and dock seal in NJ NYC area](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rubber%20dock%20bumpers%20with%20dock%20leveler%2c%20dock%20door%20and%20dock%20seal%20in%20NJ%20NYC%20area.png?width=400&name=Rubber%20dock%20bumpers%20with%20dock%20leveler%2c%20dock%20door%20and%20dock%20seal%20in%20NJ%20NYC%20area.png)Loading Dock with Dock Bumpers](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/dock-bumpers-and-their-benefits) As bumpers limit how close the truck is parked to the dock, they affect the [dock leveler lip](https://www.overhead-doors.com/dock-levelers), the [dock shelter protections](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/a-quick-guide-to-loading-dock-shelters), or the [dock seal](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/a-quick-guide-to-loading-dock-seals). At Overhead Door Company of the Meadowlands & NYC, we have a range of dock bumpers patented with materials to provide a much-improved performance.  The standard bumpers are 4 inches thick, but laminated dock bumpers are also available in 6 inches. Thicker dock bumpers may be required for recessed docks or special applications. ## [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/167911/20edc0ab-b3f3-4a9c-983e-d8643569d3eb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/167911/20edc0ab-b3f3-4a9c-983e-d8643569d3eb) Types of Dock Bumpers ## 1. Molded Bumpers (Also Known as Rubber Bumpers) [Rubber dock bumpers](https://www.overhead-doors.com/dock-bumpers) (molded bumpers) are suitable for: ✓ Light traffic applications, where damage to walls or equipment could be an issue ✓ Interior walls from potential damage caused by forklifts or any other material handling equipment As molded dock bumpers will not warp, harden, or rust, they are maintenance-free. [![Loading_Dock_Molded_Rubber_Bumpers_NYC_NJ](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Loading_Dock_Molded_Rubber_Bumper.jpg?width=200&name=Loading_Dock_Molded_Rubber_Bumper.jpg)](https://www.overhead-doors.com/photo-gallery-dock-bumpers)[Rubber Dock Bumper](https://www.overhead-doors.com/photo-gallery-dock-bumpers) ## 2. Laminated Bumpers [Laminated bumpers](https://www.overhead-doors.com/dock-bumpers) are suitable for: ✓ Low and medium traffic applications. These can guard against damage to buildings, loading docks, and cargo during loading/unloading vehicles and they are long-lasting (years). The laminated dock bumpers are the industry standard and are well-suitable for most applications absorbing impact forces up to 80%. They are available in 4” or 6” and moreover, with lengths up to 36” long, although [extra-length dock bumpers and extra-thick dock bumpers](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/dock-bumpers-and-their-benefits) will also be available if you request some. ![Loading_Dock_Laminated_Tire_Bumper](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Loading_Dock_Laminated_Tire_Bumper.jpg?width=200&name=Loading_Dock_Laminated_Tire_Bumper.jpg)[Laminated Dock Bumper](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/dock-bumpers-and-their-benefits) ## 3. Steel Face Dock Bumpers [Steel-face dock bumpers](https://www.overhead-doors.com/dock-bumpers) are suitable for: ✓ Heavy-duty applications (high-frequency use), and where jockey trucks are used for truck positioning. ✓ Protecting against either the biting out of the rubber or the unusual wear.  ![Steel-Face-Bumper NJ](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Steel-Face-Bumper%20NJ.jpg?width=200&name=Steel-Face-Bumper%20NJ.jpg)[Steel-Face Dock Bumper](https://www.overhead-doors.com/overhead-door-blog/dock-bumpers-and-their-benefits)   Not sure [which dock bumper will work best for your loading dock](https://www.overhead-doors.com/photo-gallery-dock-bumpers)? Talk to our experts. We also offer dock bumper repairs and replacements.  [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/167911/20edc0ab-b3f3-4a9c-983e-d8643569d3eb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/167911/20edc0ab-b3f3-4a9c-983e-d8643569d3eb) [Schedule a service for your commercial overhead door](https://www.overhead-doors.com/schedule-service-call) and/or your [loading dock equipment. ](https://www.overhead-doors.com/loading-dock-equipment)Our team is ready to support you with your commercial and industrial needs.  For more information, please give us a call at 973-471-4060 or email us at info@loadingdock.com ---   ## What We Do: We sell, install, repair, and maintain [commercial doors, industrial doors](https://www.overhead-doors.com/commercial-doors), [commercial door operators](https://www.overhead-doors.com/commercial-operators), and loading dock equipment. ![24 Hour Service Icon - White Background](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/24%20Hour%20Service%20Icon%20-%20White%20Background.png?width=150&height=114&name=24%20Hour%20Service%20Icon%20-%20White%20Background.png) 24-hr emergency service is available for our existing customers!  [![Contact Us](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/167911/20edc0ab-b3f3-4a9c-983e-d8643569d3eb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/167911/20edc0ab-b3f3-4a9c-983e-d8643569d3eb) Areas 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. ## A Division of Loading Dock, Inc. ![Loading Dock Equipment NJ, Loading Dock Equipment NYC](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/file-18423535-jpg/images/loading_dock_copy.jpg?width=176&height=80&name=loading_dock_copy.jpg) ### Follow Us [![Facebook Follow Us](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/file-18411777-jpg/images/faceboook-logo_small.jpg)](http://www.facebook.com/dockndoor)   [![linkedin logo](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/file-296623971-png/images/linkedin_logo.png?width=60&height=60&name=linkedin_logo.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/company/overhead-door-company-of-the-meadowlands-%26-nyc)   [![Pinterest logo](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/file-21350970-png/images/pinterest-logo.png?width=56&height=56&name=pinterest-logo.png)](http://pinterest.com/dockndoor/) [![youtube icon](https://www.overhead-doors.com/hs-fs/file-21351602-png/images/youtube.png)](http://www.youtube.com/elizabethdockndoor) ### Subscribe via E-mail ### Most Popular Posts © 2026 Loading Dock Inc. / Overhead Door Company of the Meadowlands & NYC.  All rights reserved.973-471-4060 [Chat with us](https://www.livechatinc.com/chat-with/10701747/), powered by [LiveChat](https://www.livechatinc.com/?welcome)