Preventing Work Truck Damage with Roll-up Doors
March 08, 2021
Protective Covers
If you’ve driven a utility truck before, you know how difficult and risky using a hinged door can be. You’ve no doubt prayed to Interstatius (Greek god of highways) that passing cars and trucks don’t damage your open door. If a driver isn’t paying attention and cuts too close to it, that door may fly off the hinge and shatter their windshield with it.
Not ideal.
Firefighters and construction workers have figured out the solution already, but maybe your company hasn’t. Three words: roll-up doors.
Hennig Roll-Up Door Specs
| Door Opening Height | Minimum Compartment Depth | Header Height | Maximum Roll-Up Diameter | Door Opening Width | Maximum Internal Height |
| up to 25 | 10.000 | 2.500 | 5.375 | 18 | 30 |
| 25-35 | 10.500 | 2.500 | 6.000 | 19 | 40 |
| 36-50 | 11.500 | 3.250 | 7.250 | 20 | 56 |
| 51-60 | 11.875 | 3.875 | 7.750 | 21 | 60 |
| 61-70 | 12.375 | 4.250 | 8.250 | 22-27 | 90 |
| 71-90 | 13.500 | 5.375 | 9.375 | 28-32 | 100 |
| 91-104 | 14.125 | 6.500 | 10.500 | 33-78 | 110 |
All measurements shown in inches (").
Minimum heder height is 2.50". Header heights shown can be used to better hide the rolled up door but are not required.
Hinged doors can seem useful until you realize how restrictive and open to damage they are. That’s why so many industries, like fire protection and construction, have turned to roll-up doors instead.
Benefits of roll-up doors for your truck
- Safety and security
Using a hinged door on your utility or construction truck can greatly increase the risk of damage to your vehicle. If you’re parked on a road, any passing car or truck can easily take out an open hinged door. Stopping on a busy street could mean an even greater likelihood of accidental harm.
By contrast, roll-up doors are compact and able to be opened or shut without exposing any material or swinging out into traffic. Doors like our Truck Protect series have a spring loaded roller that allows for even more compartment space. They can also feature a bulb-style bottom seal that is less susceptible to damage and provides the best in class protection from the elements. You can rest easy knowing that an open door isn’t a waste of space, or worse, a dangerous risk. - Durability and quality
Aluminum roll-up doors not only avoid dangerous situations but also can last longer. Slant interlocks and seal designs that promote no metal-to-metal contact have a much longer lifespan (and even offer a smoother movement!) than their competitors. Doors that offer stainless lift bars enjoy even more strength. - Customer support
In the case of both hinged and roll-up doors, it can be difficult to find a manufacturer dedicated to long-term service and support. If you find a roll-up door expert, they can be your best option for maintenance and repairs as needed. For our Truck Protect series, our family-owned business with more than 65 years of experience with machine protection (including roll-up doors, enclosures, bellows, and more) offers customers a quick and responsive service team. - That feel-good roll-up feeling
Think this benefit is a stretch? You’re free to be skeptical, but trust us when we say that there’s just something about a good roll-up door. It’s satisfying to use, and it feels great knowing you’re conserving space and reducing the risk of damage to your truck fleet.
If you’re considering switching to roll-up doors, we’re here to help. Many work or utility trucks that use standard hinged doors can be dangerous to their operators and passing vehicles, but a roll-up door can be a safe and long-lasting solution. And our roll-up options come with features hinged doors don’t have, including a doubled-walled aluminum construction, top rail with gutter, and bottom sill plate with water dam.
Want to learn more about Hennig roll-up products? Give our support team a call or download our Work Truck Roll-Up Doors Brochure.