Moffett vs. Truck-Mounted Forklift: Which Is Right for Your Yard?

If you’re running a Home Hardware, Castle, or Timber Mart yard, you’ve probably had this debate more than once: should you run Moffetts, or go heavier with truck-mounted forklifts like Princeton or Manitou?

It’s not just a matter of preference or brand loyalty. The choice directly affects your delivery efficiency, driver safety, payload, and how many mornings you’ll spend pulling a machine out of a muddy subdivision.

Let’s get into the real-world pros and cons — and finish with a side-by-side spec sheet you can actually use.

Manitou TMT 55 XT Y ST5

Moffet M8 55.3PL NX

 

Princeton Hiab PB55Plus

1. What a Moffett Really Brings to the Table

A Moffett (often called a “piggyback forklift”) rides on the back of your delivery truck or trailer and detaches within minutes. Once it’s off, it handles lumber, drywall, shingles — basically anything you’d deliver to a builder or job site.

Where it wins:

• Tight Job Sites: Ideal for infill and downtown deliveries. Narrow frame, great turning radius, and low weight make it perfect for residential streets and tight lots.

• Speed: A trained operator can unload in two minutes flat. No waiting for site equipment or extra help.

• Versatility: Handles everything from siding to trusses with optional pantograph reach.

Where it struggles:

• Soft Ground: Limited ground clearance means mud, gravel, or new subdivisions can be a problem.

• Payload Loss: You’ll lose around 2,500–3,000 lbs of truck payload to the mounting kit and machine weight.

• Upfront Cost: Expect around $45K–$55K CAD for a new setup with mounting hardware.

Still, for fast, multi-stop delivery routes, Moffetts are hard to beat.

2. Truck-Mounted Forklifts: Built for the Rough Stuff

Truck-mounted rough-terrain forklifts like Princeton PB55+ or Manitou TMT 55 XT are beefier. They’re designed for heavy materials and job sites that look more like a gravel pit than a cul-de-sac.

Where they win:

• All-Terrain Performance: They can handle ruts, mud, and uneven ground.

• Heavier Lifts: 5,500–7,000 lbs lift capacity means you can move bulk stone, masonry, or landscaping pallets with ease.

• Durability: Built to take abuse. These units often outlast Moffetts in rough-use environments.

Where they struggle:

• Weight: Heavier units mean more payload loss and less fuel efficiency.

• Size: They’re not ideal for tight urban work — turning and clearance are limited.

• Service Costs: Heavier systems and more complex hydraulics mean higher maintenance bills over time.

If your deliveries are mostly rural or heavy construction, a truck-mounted unit is a smarter long-term play.

3. Real-World Use Cases

Let’s be honest — every yard is different. Here’s how it breaks down across Canada:

• Downtown Toronto or Calgary: Moffett wins. You’ll save time, and drivers won’t have to fight for space.

• Sudbury, North Bay, or Prince George: Go truck-mounted. High ground clearance pays off the first time you drop block on a muddy lot.

• Mixed Operations: Many yards run both — Moffetts for quick, local drops; truck-mounted units for bulk or rough deliveries.

• Seasonal Deliveries: Moffetts tend to run better year-round since they handle snow and ice with fewer issues than people think, as long as you’re not in deep mud.

4. Spec Sheet: Typical Models We See

Here’s a side-by-side look at the real specs you’ll be comparing when you spec your next delivery truck.

5. Cost and ROI: Where the Dollars Land

A well-maintained Moffett typically holds 60–70% of its value after five years, making it easier to upgrade when you replace your trucks.
Truck-mounted units depreciate slower but are harder to sell — there’s less secondary market demand outside of bulk delivery fleets.

Maintenance averages (annual):

• Moffett: $1,500–$2,500

• Truck-Mounted: $2,500–$3,500

The difference doesn’t sound big until you multiply it by three or four units over a decade.

6. The Operator Factor

Don’t underestimate this one. Moffetts are faster to learn — most drivers are comfortable after one or two days. Truck-mounted forklifts take a little more finesse, and some operators simply prefer one type over the other.

If you’ve got seasonal turnover or newer drivers, the Moffett is a safer bet operationally.

7. Safety, Insurance, and Compliance

Both systems are considered truck-mounted material handling equipment under Canadian CVOR regulations, but insurance can differ slightly:

• Moffetts are lighter and often cheaper to insure.

• Heavier truck-mounted forklifts can bump premiums a few percentage points if they’re used off-road regularly.

Always double-check with your insurer before ordering — those small differences can eat into your ROI.

Bottom Line

• Urban/Suburban Routes: Moffett wins for speed, maneuverability, and resale.

• Rural/Heavy Construction: Truck-mounted forklifts win for traction, lift capacity, and durability.

• Mixed Fleet: Many Canadian yards run both, matched to route type — that’s the real efficiency play.

Final Word

Before you spec your next truck, take 10 minutes and look back at your last 50 deliveries.

• How many were downtown or in tight residential areas?

• How many were rural or new-construction sites?

That’ll tell you which machine really makes sense for your operation.

And if you’re not sure, give me a call — I’ve helped a lot of yards across Canada pick the right setup, and a quick chat about your routes can save you thousands before you sign off on the next build.