Rear loader collection vehicle with detachable container

A refuse collection vehicle includes a chassis and a storage container that is detachably mounted on the chassis. The storage container has a rear wall with an opening therein and a sweep panel that is pivotally mounted in the rear wall. The sweep panel is movable between an open position which exposes the opening in the rear wall of the container and a closed position which covers the opening in the rear wall of the container. The refuse collection vehicle also includes a rear tailgate assembly that is pivotally mounted to the chassis. The tailgate assembly has a hopper which is adapted to receive refuse and a packer assembly which is adapted to move refuse from the hopper of the tailgate assembly to the opening in the rear wall of the storage container when the sweep panel of the storage container is in the open position. The sweep panel and the tailgate assembly are arranged and configured so as to minimize the spilling of refuse from the opening of the storage container into the hopper as the sweep panel is moved from the open position to the closed position.