Stake, Van, Cage or Dump Body: How to Choose a Truck Cargo Body
The right cargo body depends on what you carry, how you load it and where the truck works. Choosing the wrong type means slower loading, damaged cargo or a body that wears out early. Qingdao Hailong Machinery Group builds four main families of truck cargo bodies, plus spare parts and assemblies. This guide explains what each is built for and what to decide before you ask for a quotation.
Stake cargo body
A stake body is an open platform with side boards. It is the most versatile option for general cargo that can be loaded from the sides or the top with a forklift or crane.
- Standard and heavy-duty versions, with typical payload versions of 5 to 8 tons
- Corrugated side boards and reinforced structures
- Optional side-board height, reinforcement and door layouts
- Steel or aluminum configurations
Closed van body
A van body encloses the cargo, protecting it from weather, dust and theft. It suits packaged goods, parcels and anything that must stay dry.
- Side-door and rear-door opening structures
- Steel or aluminum body options
- Hazardous-goods style bodies available on request
Cage cargo body
A cage or fence-style body gives flexible loading with good ventilation. It is used for light bulky cargo and, in special versions, for livestock.
- Multiple height and width options
- Side-opening or up-down guardrail styles
- Optional rear doors and tarpaulin frames
- Livestock and other special variants
Dump body
A dump body tips to unload bulk material such as sand, gravel or waste. The main choices are the lifting arrangement and how the rear door opens.
- Light-duty and heavy-duty versions
- Front-top or middle-top cylinder options
- Left, right or lower rear-door opening
- Vertical rib and reinforced side structures, with sub-frame options
Quick comparison
| Body type | Best for | Loading |
|---|---|---|
| Stake | General cargo, pallets, building materials | Sides and top |
| Closed van | Packaged goods that must stay dry and secure | Rear and side doors |
| Cage | Light bulky cargo, ventilated loads, livestock | Rear doors and side guardrails |
| Dump | Bulk material | Tipping |
Five questions to answer before you order
- What is the cargo? Weight, volume and whether it needs protection.
- Which truck chassis? The body must match the chassis length, width and mounting points.
- What payload? This sets the floor, beam and side-board structure.
- How will it be loaded and unloaded? This decides the door and opening layout.
- Which local rules apply? Dimension and marking regulations in your market.
What to send for a quotation
Include the target vehicle model, cargo body type, dimensions, payload, material preference (steel or aluminum), quantity, destination market and drawings if available. Hailong can build by drawing, by sample or to a target specification, and our engineers review the structure before quoting.
About Hailong Group
Hailong Group was founded in 1955 and is certified to IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. Truck body production is based in the group's Bei'an Intelligent Manufacturing Park, with a capacity of about 30,000 cargo body sets a year. Read how the bodies are made in our guide from roll forming to e-coating.
Send us your cargo body requirements
Tell us the vehicle model, body type, dimensions, payload, material, quantity and destination market. Email nora@qdhailong.com or call +86-532-66090318, or use the quotation form.