Walk into any body builder’s workshop and you will find a dozen different hinges on the shelves. Each one exists for a reason: a drop side needs to fold down and come off, a van door has to carry its weight on a long strap, and a trailer lid may be welded on and greased for years of dust and rain. Choosing the wrong hinge type usually shows up quickly, as sagging doors, seized pins or rust.
This guide explains the main hinge types used on truck bodies, trailers, vans and canopies, where each one is used and what to check before you order. Hinge Master Sales has supplied body hardware to the trade from Sebenza, Edenvale since 1986, and every type below is in our range.
The main hinge types at a glance
- Butt hinges: two flat leaves on a pin, for doors and lids on trailers, boxes and enclosures.
- Bullet hinges: a cylindrical weld-on hinge for heavy steel doors, gates and trailer lids.
- Butterfly hinges: a decorative or flat-mounted hinge with shaped leaves, often welded or bolted on.
- Piano (continuous) hinges: one long hinge along the full edge of a door or lid.
- Van door hinges: strap-type hinges that carry the rear and side doors of van bodies.
- Drop side hinges: hinges and brackets that let the sides of a dropside body fold down.
- Canopy hinges: light aluminium or stainless hinges for bakkie canopy doors and windows.
- Special-purpose hinges: parliament, loose leaf, double action, straight hinges with grease nipples and flexible PVC hinges.
Butt hinges
The butt hinge is the most familiar type: two rectangular leaves joined by a pin. On commercial vehicles they are used on trailer doors, toolbox and storage lids and equipment enclosures. Look at the material and the pin. Stainless steel butt hinges with bearings run smoothly under heavier loads, while aluminium butt hinges suit aluminium bodies and lighter doors.
In our small trailer hinges range you will find 100mm stainless steel butt hinges with bearings (100×76×3 and 100×75×2), an aluminium 100×75 butt hinge, a sinkless aluminium 100×44 butt hinge, a 50mm stainless butt hinge, and VP200 fixed and VP300 slide-on butt hinges.
Bullet hinges (weld-on hinges)
A bullet hinge is a cylindrical hinge in two halves that are welded to the door and the frame. Because it is welded rather than screwed, it is very strong and suits heavy steel doors, trailer lids and gates. Versions with a grease nipple can be lubricated, which helps them keep turning freely in dusty or wet conditions.
Bullet hinges are sized by diameter and length. We stock sizes from M10×50 up to M30×120, including M20×100 and M30×120 with grease nipples.
Butterfly hinges
Butterfly hinges have shaped leaves that spread out from the knuckle. They are strong, simple to fit and are used on trailers, boxes and steel doors where a flat, surface-mounted hinge is needed. Our range includes a steel butterfly hinge with a brass pin.
Piano hinges (continuous hinges)
A piano hinge runs the full length of a door or lid. Because the load is spread along the whole edge, it is ideal for long lids, toolboxes and side doors, and it keeps out dust and water better than a few separate hinges. We supply piano hinges in mild steel and stainless steel in various sizes. Contact us with the length you need.
Van door hinges
Van body doors are heavy and are opened many times a day, so van door hinges are built as long straps that spread the load across the door, with a matching pillar or bracket on the body. They come in different strap lengths, finishes (galvanised, zinc-plated or painted) and in stainless steel for refrigerated and food trucks.
Our van door hinges range includes the 671 (178mm), 672 (203mm), 673 (292mm), 674 (343mm) and 675 (470mm) strap hinges, the VDH100 (202mm) and VDH200, long and short pillar hinges, York hinges, Pantech hinge parts, container hinge leaves and cattle truck hinge leaves. Stainless steel van door hinges are available separately.
Drop side hinges
On a dropside truck or bakkie body, the sides fold down for loading. Drop side hinges and their brackets carry the side as it swings, and removable versions let you lift the side off completely. Check the pin size, whether you need inside or outside brackets, and whether the side must be removable.
Our drop side hinges include standard 16mm hinges and leaves, cranked hinges, double-bracket hinges (large, short and short 12mm), a large double-bracket hinge with a galvanised pin, removable hinges (complete, male and female) and inside and outside brackets.
Canopy hinges
Bakkie canopy doors and windows are light, but they are exposed to sun, dust and rain every day. Canopy hinges are usually aluminium (often black-finished) or stainless steel, and some canopies use a flexible PVC centre hinge along the full width of the door. In our canopy hinges range you will find aluminium canopy hinges in 4-hole and 5-hole patterns, polished stainless half-door hinges and a 3.8m PVC flexible centre hinge.
Special-purpose hinge types
- Parliament hinges: have a projecting knuckle so the door can open wide and clear of the frame. Available in small and large.
- Loose leaf hinges: the two leaves separate, so a door or panel can be lifted off without removing screws.
- Double action hinges: let a door swing in both directions. We stock stainless double action hinges in 100mm and 150mm.
- Straight hinges with grease nipples: heavy flat hinges that can be greased, in 80×80 and 80×50.
How to choose the right hinge type
Whatever you are building or repairing, the same questions will point you to the right hinge:
- How heavy and how big is the door or lid? Heavier and taller doors need longer straps, more hinges or a continuous hinge. Our guide to heavy duty hinges explains this in more detail.
- Will it be welded or bolted? Weld-on hinges such as bullet hinges suit steel; bolt-on hinges suit aluminium and panels that may need replacing.
- Does the door need to come off? Choose removable drop side hinges or loose leaf hinges.
- Where will it work? For coastal, refrigerated or food applications, choose stainless steel. Galvanised and zinc-plated finishes suit most general work.
- How will it be maintained? Hinges with grease nipples last longer in dusty conditions if they are greased regularly.
- Does it need to match existing hardware? Note the part number or measure the old hinge (length, leaf width, thickness and pin diameter) before you order.
Frequently asked questions about hinge types
What are the most common hinge types for trailers?
Butt hinges, weld-on bullet hinges, butterfly hinges and piano hinges are the most common on trailers. The right one depends on the door weight, whether the hinge will be welded or bolted, and the material of the body.
What is the difference between a bullet hinge and a butt hinge?
A bullet hinge is a cylindrical hinge that is welded to the door and frame, which makes it very strong for heavy steel doors. A butt hinge has two flat leaves on a pin and is usually screwed or bolted on.
Which hinge type is best for a van body door?
Van body doors normally use strap-type van door hinges, which spread the weight of the door along a long strap and mount to a pillar or bracket on the body. Stainless steel versions suit refrigerated and food trucks.
What is a drop side hinge?
A drop side hinge lets the side of a dropside truck or bakkie body fold down for loading. Removable versions also allow the side to be lifted off completely.
How do I order the right replacement hinge?
Send us the part number if you have it, or the length, leaf width, thickness and pin diameter of the old hinge, with a photo. Our sales team will help you match it and quote you.
Get a quote on the hinges you need
Not sure which hinge type suits your build? Contact Hinge Master Sales, call us on 011 452 2864 or email [email protected] with your parts list. For several parts, add them to the Enquiry Cart and send it for one quote. We are at 18 Buwbes Road, Sebenza, Edenvale, and deliver nationwide and for export.
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