Truck hoists are hydraulic or pull-chain systems that raise or tilt the bed of a truck, as in a dump truck. Underbody hoists are typically hydraulic, and are located directly below the truck’s bed. An underbody hoist lifts up the bed of a truck via one or two hydraulic cylinders. These cylinders expand at an angle toward the back of the truck, causing the bed to tip backward and dump out its contents. Underbody hoists are manufactured for a variety of different small and mid-sized trucks. These hoists are typically available for trucks measuring anywhere from 5 to 12 feet long, measured from the cab to the trunnion.

In addition to a hydraulic cylinder or cylinders, underbody hoists consist of a frame, a hydraulic pump and hoses, and a multi-gallon hydraulic reservoir. These hoists are designed so that they add only minimal body weight and size to a truck.