The typical loading dock is between 48 to 52 inches tall. This is to be able to accommodate delivery vehicles with bed heights ranging from 30 to 62 inches.
Height-adjustable platforms known as dock levelers are used to accommodate different bed heights. The slope between the dock leveler and the truck bed increases as the height differential between the dock and truck bed increases. Slopes of greater than 15 degrees can damage dock levelers. Loading dock design takes into account the truck bed height that is most likely to be received at the facility in order to determine the optimal dock height. This minimizes the slope required of the dock levelers.
