The advantages of having a workhorse vehicle better known in South Africa as a ‘bakkie’, are infinite. We have all used one when we moved to a different house, or bought new furniture or needed to transport heavy loads. Well now the faithful bakkie which we have known and trusted for so many years just got better as some models now come with drop sides.

Whether you are a tradesmen, or are a small business owner, a farmer or even just a normal guy who likes to get his hands dirty once in a while by doing his own home improvements, you will have to agree that it does not come better than the bakkie.

Usually you have the flatbed at the back of the passenger section which you load your goods onto. The load box is closed on three sides, the rear panel opens to make loading and unloading easier. The drop side bakkies are also made of a flatbed with three panels which are all attached with hinges. This means that you can now load heavy items onto the back much more easily. The panels can even come off completely if need be, giving you complete freedom.

When transporting heavy objects on the back of a bakkie, always be sure to be careful concerning safety. Objects must be properly secured to the back of the bakkie (retention rings and cam latches are provided for just this purpose) so that the load is securely tired. Goods falling off the flat bed frequently happens because they are not securely fastened. This results in loss and damage of goods as well as the cause of many major accidents.

So there you have it! With the drop side workhorse, your load has just become a ton lighter. Just remember to always secure everything with ropes and you can be on your way.