Dropside van finance
Flat deck, drop-down sides, load from anywhere — dropside vans funded for scaffolders, merchants and anyone whose load will not go through a back door.
Whole-of-market — 60+ lenders searched, including
Can you finance a dropside van?
Yes. A dropside is funded as a converted commercial vehicle, the chassis cab and body together on one agreement, usually hire purchase. Used dropsides are readily fundable. The useful thing about them from a funder point of view is that there is no hydraulic gear to go wrong, so they tend to be valued more confidently than an equivalent tipper. What catches buyers out is the extras: a crane, a mounted toolbox or a scaffold rack changes the vehicle weight and its resale profile, and if those items are not on the purchase invoice they usually will not be on the finance either.
Used kit: Yes. Used dropsides fund well and tend to age more gracefully than tippers, since there is no tipping gear to wear out — the deck and headboard condition drive the valuation.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
What would a dropside van cost per month?
Asset finance is quoted on a flat rate, so that is what the buttons show, with the equivalent APR beside it. Your exact rate depends on the asset, the term, the deposit and the lender.
Prime is an established, profitable business with clean credit. Specialist covers newer businesses and credit that needs explaining — the asset itself carries part of the risk, which is why finance is often available where an unsecured loan is not.
Representative example: on Hire Purchase, borrowing £25,000 over 48 months at a 5.15% flat rate (equivalent to 9.9% APR representative), you would repay around £628 a month; total amount repayable approximately £30,150, of which £5,150 is the cost of finance. This calculator is for illustration only — it is not a quote or an offer of finance, and the rate and repayments you are offered will depend on the asset, term, deposit and your circumstances. CW Asset Finance is a credit broker, not a lender, and may receive a commission from the lender that funds your agreement. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval.
Rates shown are indicative flat rates with the equivalent APR alongside — the two are not the same number. Indicative only and does not constitute a quote or an offer of finance. Subject to status and lender approval.
How lenders treat it
Dropsides sit in the easier half of converted LCVs. The body is simple, so valuation is more predictable than on a tipper or a fridge van, and alloy decks from known converters hold up well. Funders will still ask who built it, mainly because a badly mounted deck on a chassis that was not rated for the load is a real problem. If a crane is fitted, the deal changes character — the crane can be worth as much as the vehicle, it needs a valid thorough examination, and some lenders want it listed and valued separately. Limited companies with trading history place easily; sole traders in construction need visible banking. Declines are usually overloaded conversions, decks bolted on by a previous owner with no documentation, and buyers who agreed a price with a private seller before speaking to anyone.
Makes and models we fund
Examples of the machines we are asked to fund. This is not an exhaustive list — if what you are buying is not here, it does not mean we cannot fund it. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.
| Machine | What it is |
|---|---|
| Ford Transit dropside | Flat body with folding sides |
| Isuzu Grafter 3.5t dropside | Alloy dropside with strong payload |
| Iveco Daily 35S dropside | Truck-derived dropside for merchants |
| Peugeot Boxer dropside | Value dropside for building materials |
| Renault Master dropside | Dropside with long load deck |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315 dropside | Durable dropside for trade use |
| Citroen Relay dropside | Dropside for landscaping and fencing |
| Ford Transit crew cab dropside | Dropside with a full crew cab |
| Iveco Daily 70C dropside | Seven tonne dropside with crane option |
| Maxus Deliver 9 dropside | Value dropside with long warranty |
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
Who buys one
Scaffolding contractors, builders merchants running local deliveries, plant hire firms moving small machines, and fencing and decking installers who carry long timber. Often a business replacing a tired flatbed that has started failing on the deck rather than the engine. Another regular trigger is a crane requirement — a merchant that has been paying for a lorry-loader delivery every time a pallet of blocks goes out decides to run its own.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
We publish the deals we arrange, with no client named and no rate quoted. See what we have funded in vans and fleet.
How it is treated for tax
Bought on hire purchase, business plant and machinery normally qualifies for capital allowances on the full cost even though you pay for it monthly, which is a large part of why hire purchase is the common structure. On a finance lease you generally set the rentals against profit instead. The rules change between budgets and your position depends on how you trade, so treat this as the direction of travel and get your accountant to confirm the detail before you commit.
Dropside van finance questions
What is the difference between a dropside and a flatbed?
A flatbed is a plain deck. A dropside has hinged sides and a tailgate that fold down, so you can load from any angle but still contain loose material. Most builders prefer dropsides; hauliers moving plant or long steel often prefer a clean flat deck with no sides in the way.
Can I finance a dropside with a crane fitted?
Yes, and it is common with merchants and plant hire firms. The crane must be identified on the invoice and should have a current thorough examination certificate. Because a crane carries serious value in its own right, some lenders list it separately, which affects how the agreement is structured.
Is an alloy or steel dropside body better for resale?
Alloy is lighter, which protects payload, and it does not rot, so it generally holds value better. Steel is tougher against impact damage and cheaper to repair. Funders are comfortable with both — what they care about is that the body was fitted by a converter and is not corroded through.
Can I fund a scaffold-bodied dropside?
Yes. Scaffold bodies with tube racks and pole gates are a recognised conversion and lenders in the construction space see them regularly. Because the body is trade-specific, expect a slightly more conservative valuation than a plain dropside of the same age and mileage.
Do I need to tell the lender what I carry?
Yes, and it is in your interest. Use affects wear, weight and insurance, and a lender that understands you are carrying scaffold rather than garden waste can underwrite the vehicle properly. Withholding it does not help — it just risks a problem later.
Get a quoteor call 0333 772 4864
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See everything we fund in van and light commercial finance →
Not an offer of finance. All finance is subject to status, affordability and lender approval.
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Get your quote
Tell us what you’re looking to fund and Conor will come back to you personally — usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call 0333 772 4864 · serving Leeds, York, Harrogate, Wakefield, Selby, Tadcaster & across North & West Yorkshire.