Cover for the load area of a commercial vehicle

Disclosed is a rigid cover 6 for an open load area of a commercial vehicle such as drop side, tipper and pick up type vehicles. The cover may be free standing on the load area of the vehicle so as not to be supported by the sides 4 of the vehicle, thus allowing the sides to be lowered (as shown). The ends of the rigid cover may have interchangeable end pieces so as to substantially seal the cover or provide an access door. The cover may be stepped down on its upper surface 3 so as to allow two or more covers to be interlocked, and the covers may be of various sizes, thus allowing the length or height of the area covered to be altered. The sides of the cover may have tie down points 2 and blanks 1 which may provide advertising space or be removed and replaced with clear material so as to act as windows. The cover may be vacuum formed from a plastics material, or manufactured from metal or wood.