Dock Seal Technical Specifications | Dock Seal Supply

[ TECHNICAL SPECS ]

Engineered to Perform. Built to Last.

Everything that goes into a Dock Seal Supply compression seal, and the dimensions we build it to.

Construction

Outer shell

40-oz vinyl-coated polyester. Resists tears, weather and the abrasion of trailers dragging across it.

Compression beams

High-density memory foam. Compresses under the trailer and recovers, load after load.

Seams

Marine-grade double stitching with UV-protected thread.

Air release

Brass grommet compression-release ports, so the pads are not fighting trapped air under load.

Backing frame

Ground-treated 2″×12″ lumber. Rot-resistant, bolted to the building wall.

Wear surfaces

Horizontal pleats at 4″ spacing, plus a hi-vis yellow centre stripe on each side pad.

Dimensions

Dock seal specification diagram — overall width and height, opening width and height, head pad height, side pad width, 4-inch pleat spacing and side-view depth
Fig. 01 — the dimensions every seal is built to
  • Standard build — 7′4″ wide × 8′ tall door opening
  • Custom — any opening, built to spec, at no upcharge
  • Pleat spacing — 4″
  • Measured points — overall width and height, opening width and height, head pad height, side pad width, and depth from the wall
  • Included — mounting brackets

Not sure which of those you need to take yourself? Only four of them: how to measure a dock door.

Fit and application

Common dock openings run 8′×8′, 9′×9′, 9′×10′ and 10′×10′. Compression seals are the right product on standard openings in that range where the trailer mix is reasonably consistent.

For reference when sizing a door: a US trailer can legally run to 13′6″ tall and 8′6″ wide. Subtract your dock height from the tallest trailer you take and round up to the next foot to get the door height you need for full access to the trailer.

Why the spec matters

Most dock seals look alike in a photograph. The differences that decide how long one lasts are the fabric weight, whether the thread is UV-protected, whether the seams are double-stitched, and whether the backing timber is treated. Those are the four things worth asking any supplier about, and the four we have listed above.

Common questions

What is the standard dock seal size?
Our standard build suits a 7'4" wide by 8' tall door opening. Any other size is built to spec at no extra cost.
What weight vinyl do you use?
40-ounce vinyl-coated polyester. Fabric weight is the best single indicator of how long a seal will last.
What is the pleat spacing?
Four inches. The pleats are wear surfaces that take abrasion from trailers so the body of the pad does not.
What size are common loading dock doors?
Most run 8'x8', 9'x9', 9'x10' or 10'x10'. A US trailer can legally be 13'6" tall and 8'6" wide.