How to measure pit depth for a dock leveler
by
The Dock Depot
03 Aug 2026
Pit depth is the single most common spec error on a dock leveler order — get it wrong and the unit won't seat flush with your dock floor, which means a lip that doesn't clear trailer beds correctly and a warranty claim that could've been avoided.
What to measure
Measure from the top of the dock floor down to the bottom of the pit, and separately measure the pit's width and length against your leveler's actual frame dimensions — not just the deck plate size listed on a spec sheet.
Why it matters
Most hydraulic dock levelers require a pit depth in a fairly narrow range (commonly 12–16 inches, but this varies by model and capacity rating). Too shallow and the unit sits proud of the floor; too deep and the lip won't reach the trailer bed at the wrong dock height.
Our recommendation
Send us your pit depth, width, length, and typical trailer bed height range before you order. We'll confirm the exact model fits before any quote goes out — that check is included, not an upsell.
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Dock Depot USA is an authorized dealer for loading dock equipment — dock levelers, seals and shelters, vehicle restraints, dock lights, bumpers, and the rest of what keeps a loading dock running safely and efficiently. We don't manufacture the equipment ourselves. What we do is give facility managers, warehouse operators, and contractors a straightforward way to find the right equipment, see real pricing, and get it ordered without a week of back-and-forth emails.
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