Telescopic vs Swing Lip Dock Levellers: Which Is Right for Your Site?

Dock levellers are an integral part of loading bays, providing a safe bridge between vehicles and the loading dock for safer loading and unloading.

But with different models available, how do you choose the right leveller for your business?

Here’s what you need to know about telescopic and swing-lip dock levellers – and which type will best suit the needs of your site.

What do dock levellers have in common?

Let’s start with the basics:

Whether you’re using a telescopic or swing-lip leveller, both types create a secure transition between the warehouse floor and the vehicle bed - accommodating height differences and ensuring goods can be moved quickly and safely.

But beyond their core purpose, there are several features you’ll find across Stertil’s dock leveller range, including:

- A strong, robust deck manufactured from one piece of steel

- A durable checker plate surface

- Advanced hydraulic system for improved stability

- An easy-to-operate control panel

- And a closed, gapless rear hinge for improved hygiene and safety

With that out of the way, let’s discuss the differences.  

Telescopic Lip Dock Levellers

Suitable applications:

- Mixed fleets

- Climate control

- Cross docking

Telescopic lip levellers (like our X-Series model) use a sliding motion to extend the lip into the loading vehicle, allowing for precise positioning.

This means vehicles of varying heights can be safely and efficiently accommodated, without needing to adjust the bay or rely on guesswork during deployment.

On top of that, precise lip placement also allows for flush loading, which is essential for temperature-controlled environments where maintaining an unbroken cold chain is critical.

But not all businesses need this level of flexibility.

If your operation involves predictable, standardised loading routines, a swing lip leveller can provide a simpler, faster, and more cost-effective solution.

Swing Lip Dock Levellers

Suitable applications:

- General warehouse loading

- Loading operations with similar vehicle heights

For loading bays that handle a fleet of similar-sized vehicles, swing-lip dock levellers such as the S-Series are an easy choice.

These levellers use a hinged lip that swings outward onto the vehicle bed.

Because the movement is quick and straightforward, swing lip levellers can be faster to operate than telescopic models.

In high-volume, repetitive loading scenarios, this time-saving benefit can support smoother, more efficient operations.

And while the exact costs will vary by configuration, swing-lip models generally offer a more cost-effective alternative for companies that don’t require the extra precision of telescopic units.

Comparing the key differences side-by-side

Need further advice?

Both telescopic and swing lip dock levellers offer excellent performance, but the best choice will always depend on your specific site requirements.

So to make sure you choose the right leveller for your site, contact us to arrange a site visit from one of our experienced team members, or explore our full range of dock levellers here.

Contact Stertil on 08707 700471, or email info@stertil.co.uk.