Questions
What height should a loading dock be?
Around 1,200 mm above yard level is typical in the UK, and many articulated trailers sit close to that. Trailer bed heights vary, roughly 900 mm to 1,600 mm across different vehicle types, so the dock height is only half the decision. The leveller or lift table in front of the door has to cover the gap between your dock and the vehicles you actually receive, loaded and empty.
What is the difference between a swing-lip and a telescopic-lip leveller?
Both are hydraulic pit levellers. A swing-lip leveller has a hinged lip, typically about 400 to 500 mm long, that swings out and rests on the trailer bed. A telescopic-lip leveller has a lip that slides out, commonly 500 to 1,000 mm, so the operator can place it precisely. Telescopic lips suit end-loading and mixed fleets; swing lips suit everyday loading of standard trailers.
Are dock seals or dock shelters better for cold stores?
Both can work. Foam seals give a tight closure when the fleet is consistent, and inflatable shelters give a close seal across a mix of trailer sizes. Retractable shelters are better suited to general weather protection, as some air moves at the curtain edges. Whichever you choose, pair it with an insulated cold store door and sealed leveller edges.