Dock Seal Recovers & Replacement PadsAir ride trailers, shuttle trucks, Yard Dogs, slopes, and time are common factors leading to the break down of loading dock seals and their components. When dock seal pads wear out faster than expected, the solution is often as simple as a recover with a higher base fabric or wear pleats. In other cases, a dock shelter may be necessary for more demanding environments. To help you get back on track, Loading Dock Supply offers a full line of standard or custom replacement pads complete with options like wear shields, high tear fabric, fire retardant fabrics, colored fabrics and more. Use the guide and finder below to work out what applies to your situation.  Replacement Guide
Pro Tip: Choosing a Recover saves you approximately 50% on the item price AND up to $150 in freight costs compared to a full replacement pad.
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MATCHING PADS & RECOVERS
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RecoversA recover is a replacement fabric cover fitted over your existing pad. Before ordering, pull the seal down and check that the wood backer is solid with no rot, the foam springs back when compressed, and the foam is still fully bonded to the backer. If any of those fail, order a replacement pad — a recover over a compromised pad is wasted cost and lead time. Freight on a single vertical recover runs around $80 compared to $230–$360 for a replacement pad, which often makes it the practical choice when the pad underneath is still sound. Factor in 2–3 hours of labor to pull the seal down, fit the cover, and rehang it. The cover is cut approximately ½" larger than the backer — pull it evenly before stapling, as uneven tension causes bunching at the corners. If the original seal came with standard 40oz vinyl or no wear shields, the new cover can be ordered with heavier material or wear shields without replacing the full pad. Covers also store flat, so ordering a spare now means the dock is back up immediately when the fabric eventually goes rather than waiting another 6-7 weeks. If the seal is failing repeatedly, the issue may be dock design — approach slope, bumper projection, or trailer type. A dock shelter handles high-abuse applications better than a compression seal. See the seals vs shelters guide for more.
 Replacement PadsIf the foam has lost its resilience, separated from the backer, or the wood backer has softened or rotted, the pad needs replacing. Measure your existing pad and use the finder above to locate the right match. Installation is the same process as a new seal — see the installation guide for step-by-step instructions. If only one side is damaged, a single vertical is all you need. Uneven wear is common when dock bumpers are worn or when trailers consistently drift to one side on approach. Patch KitsFor a small isolated tear, a patch kit ships same day. If the fabric is generally worn across the face of the pad, a recover will hold up better long-term than a patch. Our vinyl patch kits utilize a high-performance industrial adhesive. For a permanent hold, the surface must be properly prepped and the adhesive must be allowed to tack up before applying.
FAQPull the seal down first. Check the wood backer for soft spots or rot — if it's compromised, order a replacement pad. Compress the foam and release — if it doesn't spring back the foam is done. Check that the foam is still bonded to the backer. If all three are sound, a recover is a viable option.
A vertical recover ships for approximately $80. A replacement vertical pad ships for $230–$360 depending on size. On a single damaged side with a sound pad underneath, that difference usually outweighs the labor involved in fitting the cover.
Yes. The cover doesn't have to match the original spec. You can order super heavy duty fabric, add wear shields, or choose fire retardant or colored material. If the original seal came with standard 40oz vinyl and is wearing faster than expected, upgrading the cover spec is worth considering.
For a high-traffic dock, yes. Covers store flat and a spare on the shelf means you can get the dock back up immediately when fabric tears rather than waiting 6-7 weeks. For facilities running multiple docks it's common practice.
Budget 2–3 hours including pulling the seal down, fitting the cover, and rehanging. The cover is cut approximately ½" larger than the backer — pull it evenly before stapling to avoid bunching at the corners. See the installation guide for rehang tips.
Generally 3–7 years, depending on traffic volume, trailer type, climate, and whether the seal was correctly sized for the application. Air ride trailers and declined approaches shorten service life. Undersized dock bumpers are a common cause of premature foam breakdown — they allow trailers to compress the seal beyond its design range.
Recurring failure usually points to a dock design issue — approach slope, bumper projection, or trailer type. A dock shelter handles high-abuse applications better than a compression seal. See the seals vs shelters guide or call us to go through your specific dock setup.
Call 1-800-741-1258 or use the quote form. Download the recover worksheet to capture your measurements beforehand. Custom sizes are available for both replacement pads and recovers.
Pricing Tables
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