2025 Dropside And Tipper Vans: Everything You Need To Know
It’s official: Spring has sprung! So now is the time to get back out there to make a start on all those outdoor jobs that await – which means now is also the perfect time to be thinking about getting yourself a new dropside or tipper van.
Popular in the construction industry and landscaping businesses, Dropside and Tipper Vans feature hinged tailboards and sideboards which can be dropped down to allow convenient access to the flat loading bed without obstruction.
With this in mind, dropside vans are ideal for transporting loose materials – such as soil, gravel and cement dust – or bulkier items, like furniture and equipment.
With rising temperatures, lighter evenings and blossoming flowers on the way, find out why a dropside van could be what you’re looking for and discover the range of options available now on Vansdirect.
New Dropside and Tipper Van Offers
-
Dropside vans are a type of light commercial vehicle (LCV) often used in the construction industry
-
They feature hinged tailboards and sideboards which can be dropped down below the load bed for easier access
-
Dropside vans are favoured for their exceptional payload offering, capable of carrying up to four pallets
-
Although similar in design, Dropside vans have a different purpose to tipper and flatbed vans
Looking for a tough workhorse to carry the load? There are many different kinds of large vans available, so let Vansdirect give you an expert advice to guide you through every Dropside and Tipper Van query you may have...
What is a dropside van?
Dropside Vans are a type of light commercial vehicle (LCV) that are often used for building and construction.
As their name suggests, they feature hinged sideboards that drop down below the load bed to offer easy access to materials and cargo.
The design is intended to prevent body damage from loading and unloading, especially where a forklift is used.
The sides and tailboard are on hinges which allow them to swing downwards. They can then be raised and secured when transporting large loads.
Which businesses typically use Dropside vans?
Thanks to their high payload capacity and easy loading, Dropside Vans are used in a range of hands-on industries. They can be used to transport large, heavier goods like:
- Furniture
- Plant equipment
- Building materials
- Tools and supplies
- Mixed loads
- Gardening materials
What Are The Benefits Of A Dropside van?
Dropside vans have several benefits to your business, such as:
Easy loading and unloading
Dropside vans are incredibly versatile making them a great multi-purpose van. When the sides are lowered, this provides an open flatbed body to enable easy access to the load without obstruction. When raised, the sides act as a secure barrier to keep goods contained within the loading bed.
Keeps goods secure
For extra security, Dropside vans can also be fitted with a range of anchor points to help prevent any items from moving around.
Practical design
Designed for heavy-duty tasks, Dropside vans feature a durable design to help lighten the load. Many also feature non-slip material on the load bed to prevent any accidents in wet conditions.
Convenient options
If you have more specific loading and unloading needs, there are some great options available with Dropside vans. You can get sideboards that integrate fold-out steps when lowered down for even easier access, and some models even feature a tail lift.
Safe handling
Most modern Dropside vans bring a host of driver assistance features for your safety. These include Crosswind and Distance Assistance, Autonomous City Emergency Braking, and more.
Another great thing about dropside vans? They can be driven on a standard UK driving licence, unlike other LCVs which require additional licensing.
What’s the difference between a Dropside and a Tipper Van?
They may look pretty similar, but there is a key difference between Dropside and Tipper Vans.
Unlike Tipper vans, Dropside vans don’t have an under-floor tipping system. This means they need to be unloaded manually. With this function, tipper vans are more useful for unloading loose materials like dirt, gravel, and sand.
New Dropside and Tipper Van Offers
Best Dropside And Tipper Van Models Of 2025
Ford Transit Dropside and Tipper Vans
Practical, easy to drive and hugely capable, there is a good reason why the Ford Transit has been ranked as the UK’s best-selling large LCV for decades.
It’s also popular for its flexibility as a chassis with myriad body styles available to suit your specific needs, including Dropside and Tipper versions.
The Ford Transit in Chassis Cab guise has a maximum payload of 2983kg and a maximum gross towing mass of up to 7000kg. Under the bonnet you’ll find a 2.0-litre turbodiesel, available in either 128bhp and 168bhp guise.
New Ford Transit Dropside and Tipper Van Offers
Iveco Daily Dropside and Tipper Vans
If you transport particularly heavy goods on a regular basis, it would be very much worth considering the Iveco Daily for your Dropside or Tipper Van needs.
A model that distils decades of specialist knowledge from the HGV sector into an LCV-based architecture, the Iveco Daily is designed to shoulder any weigh you can throw at it.
Available with six different wheelbase options and a twin rear-wheel version with a 7.2 tonne gross vehicle weight, the Iveco Daily can also be specified in a three-way Tipper Van option.
New Iveco Daily Dropside and Tipper Van Offers
Nissan Interstar Dropside and Tipper Vans
The new Nissan Interstar Dropside Vans are available in two sizes and can be specified with either aluminium or steel, while the Tipper Van comes with either one-way or three-way operation.
Based on the latest generation platform, the Interstar Dropside has a 1839kg payload, 4.0 gross vehicle weight and is available with the choice of either three seats or seven seats (via a four-seater second bench row).
As a Dropside, it can also be specified with an 87kWh battery generating 140bhp or with a 167bhp 2.0-litre diesel with 380Nm of torque. Features include Apple CarPlay or Android Auto and forward emergency braking.
The Nissan Interstar Tipper Van is available as a diesel only.
New Nissan Interstar Dropside and Tipper Van Offers
Renault Master Dropside and Tipper Vans
The latest generation Renault Master Dropside and Tipper Vans get the full benefit of the LCV’s new features, including the option of a battery-powered powertrain capable of up to 285 miles.
It is available with either a 2.0-litre diesel engine boasting 167bhp or as a frugal 87kWh BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) generating 140bhp.
The latest generation Renault Master is loaded with modern technology, including a 10-inch screen with openR link multimedia system with Google built-in, mobile office functionality and 135-litres of interior storage space.
New Renault Master Dropside and Tipper Van Offers
Toyota Proace Dropside and Tipper Vans
The Toyota Proace Max Dropside offers all the benefits of a sturdy, well-proven platform shared with the Citroen Relay, Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Boxer and Vauxhall Movano, but with the assurance of the Japanese manufacturer’s dependable aftersales care.
In Dropside and Tipper Van trim, the Proace Max is kitted out with a 2.2-litre diesel engine capable of 140bhp, plus a 10-inch multimedia screen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7-inch multi-information screen and reversing camera.
It has a gross vehicle weight of 3500kg and maximum trailer weight (brakes) of 3000kg with a deck length of 3833mm.
New Toyota Proace Max Dropside and Tipper Van Offers
Frequently Asked Questions about dropside vans
What is a Dropside truck used for?
Dropside trucks are used in a wide range of businesses, mostly in the building and construction sector. They are practical for carrying heavy loads like building bricks, pallets, scaffolding poles, and more.
What is the difference between a flatbed and a dropside van?
Flatbed vans differ from dropside vans in the sense that they feature an open-body layout with no sides or roof. Dropside vans however can be converted into a flatbed when needed by simply lowering the sides.
New Dropside and Tipper Van Offers
Get more for your business at Vansdirect
At Vansdirect, we offer a range of new vans for sale from top manufacturers like Citroen, Ford, Renault, Peugeot, and many more.
What’s more, with our van leasing deals you can find your perfect van and spread the costs according to your budget. With our flexible van finance options including hire purchase and contract hire, leasing a new van has never been more affordable. We’re proud to offer competitive pricing to make sure you get the best dropside van leasing deals.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could sort everything in one place? At Vansdirect, you can! With our additional services, we can help with everything from maintenance and fuel cards to van racking and insurance.
Ready to start your search? Browse our latest deals or get in touch with a member of our team for assistance.
