HIAB Truck vs Tilt Tray: Which One Do You Need

When arranging transport for heavy equipment, building materials or bulky items, choosing the right truck can make a significant difference. Two common options are HIAB trucks and tilt tray trucks, but they are designed for different types of jobs. A tilt tray is often ideal for machinery and equipment that can be driven, rolled or loaded onto the tray. A HIAB truck, on the other hand, has a truck-mounted crane that can lift and unload materials where suitable access and lifting conditions are available. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right equipment and avoid arranging a truck that cannot safely complete the job.

What Is a HIAB Truck

A HIAB truck is a transport vehicle fitted with a hydraulic crane. The crane allows the operator to load and unload certain heavy or bulky items without requiring a separate forklift or crane, subject to the truck’s lifting capacity and site conditions.

HIAB trucks are commonly used for transporting:

• Bricks and building materials
• Timber
• Steel
• Roof trusses
• Concrete products
• Pavers
• Machinery
• Windows and doors
• Heavy equipment

One of the biggest advantages is the ability to transport and lift the load using the same vehicle.

What Is a Tilt Tray Truck

A tilt tray truck has a tray that can hydraulically tilt and slide towards the ground. This creates a ramp, allowing suitable equipment to be driven or winched onto the tray.

Tilt trays are commonly used for:

• Cars
• Excavators
• Skid steer loaders
• Small machinery
• Generators
• Site equipment
• Palletised goods
• Construction equipment

They are particularly useful when the load can be loaded by driving it onto the tray or using a winch.

HIAB vs Tilt Tray: The Main Difference

The biggest difference is how the load is loaded and unloaded. A HIAB truck uses a crane to lift the load. A tilt tray uses a tilting tray and, where required, a winch to load the item. This means the best option depends on the type of item you’re transporting and what needs to happen when you arrive at the destination.

When Should You Choose a HIAB Truck

A HIAB is generally the better choice when the load cannot simply be driven or rolled onto the truck or when it needs to be lifted into a specific location. For example, a HIAB can be useful when delivering:

• Building Materials: Bricks, timber, steel, concrete products and other construction materials may need to be lifted off the truck rather than unloaded manually.
• Roof Trusses: Long roof trusses can be difficult to unload safely by hand. A suitable HIAB can lift and position them closer to the construction area, subject to the required reach and lifting capacity.
• Heavy Landscaping Materials: Pavers, stone, retaining wall products and other heavy landscaping materials can be transported and lifted into a suitable unloading area.
• Machinery Without Easy Loading Access: Some machinery may not be operational or may not have suitable access for driving onto a truck. A HIAB may provide an alternative where the load can be safely lifted.

When Is a Tilt Tray Better

A tilt tray is often more suitable when the item can be driven, rolled or winched onto the tray. For example, if you’re transporting an excavator from one construction site to another, a tilt tray can provide a straightforward loading method.

Tilt trays can also be useful for:

• Non-running vehicles
• Small excavators
• Skid steer loaders
• Compact machinery
• Generators
• Equipment with wheels or tracks

The item’s dimensions and weight still need to be checked against the truck’s capacity.

What If You Need to Place the Load Away From the Truck

This is where a HIAB has a major advantage. Suppose you’re delivering several pallets of bricks to a residential construction site. The customer doesn’t simply want the pallets left beside the truck; they need them positioned further inside the property. A HIAB crane may be able to lift the pallets from the truck and place them closer to the required location, provided the crane has sufficient capacity and reach. A tilt tray generally cannot do this. Once the load is unloaded from the tray, additional equipment may be required to move it.

What About Crane Reach and Weight

Choosing a HIAB is not simply about the weight of the load. The operator needs to consider how far the crane needs to reach. Crane capacity generally reduces as the lifting distance increases. A load that is suitable close to the truck may not be suitable at a longer reach.

When requesting a HIAB quote, provide:

• Weight of the load
• Dimensions
• Pickup location
• Delivery location
• Required unloading position
• Approximate crane reach
• Site photos

This information helps determine whether a particular HIAB is appropriate.

What Information Should You Provide for a Tilt Tray

For a tilt tray, provide similar information, particularly:

• Item type
• Weight
• Length and width
• Height
• Whether it can be driven
• Whether it is operational
• Loading conditions
• Pickup access
• Delivery access

If the equipment cannot move under its own power, tell the transport provider in advance so appropriate loading equipment or a winch can be considered.

Which One Is More Cost-Effective

The price depends on the job rather than simply the type of truck. A tilt tray may be more economical for a straightforward machinery transport where the item can be driven or winched onto the tray. A HIAB may provide better value when the job would otherwise require separate transport and unloading equipment. For example, paying for a standard truck plus a forklift at the destination may cost more than arranging a HIAB that can transport and unload the material itself. The best option is therefore the one that can safely complete the entire job with the least additional equipment and handling.

How to Choose the Right Truck

Before booking, ask yourself:

1. Can the item be driven, rolled or winched onto a tray?

If yes, a tilt tray may be suitable

2. Does the item need to be lifted off the truck?

If yes, consider a HIAB.

3. Does the load need to be placed away from the truck?

A HIAB may be the better option, subject to crane capacity and reach.

4. Is the load particularly heavy or oversized?

Additional equipment or a larger truck may be required.

If you’re unsure, providing photos and load details allows the transport provider to assess the requirements before booking.

Final Thoughts

The choice between a HIAB truck and tilt tray comes down to how the load needs to be transported, loaded and unloaded. A tilt tray is generally well suited to machinery and equipment that can be driven or winched onto the tray. A HIAB is more suitable when the load needs to be lifted from the truck or positioned somewhere that cannot be reached through conventional unloading. Providing accurate load information, dimensions, weight, access details and photos before booking can help ensure the right vehicle is selected.

We provide heavy transport and HIAB crane truck services across Sydney. Send us your item details, approximate weight, pickup and delivery locations, and photos, and we’ll help determine the most suitable transport option for your job. Contact us today for a competitive quote.