Which nose plate do you actually need?
Three questions get you to the right C-code. Don’t guess from look alone — CA1 and CA2 are visually similar but differ in width by 2 inches, and that two inches matters when you’re stacking cases against the nose.
Decision tree
1. What material does your existing plate use?
Aluminum (light, never rusts) → CA-series. Steel (heavier, more dent-resistant) → C-series.
2. What size cases or drums are you moving?
Standard case work (cartons < 18″ wide) → CA1 or C2. Oversize cases or appliances → CA2 or C6. Drums & barrels → folding extension nose (separate SKU).
3. Indoor route or industrial / outdoor abuse?
Indoor (warehouse, route, dock) → aluminum CA1/CA2 keeps the truck light. Industrial (foundry, lumber yard, scrap) → steel C2/C6 takes the hits without bending.
The four common C-codes
CA1
Aluminum Standard
Lightest, lowest cost. 16″ x 7-1/2″. Standard on Junior Liberator. Drop-fits most A-B-C-D builds.
CA2
Aluminum Wide
18″ x 7-1/2″. Two extra inches of width — the most common upgrade for moving wider cases or pallet stack-outs.
C2
Steel Standard
Heavier-gauge steel. Same footprint as CA2 but rated for sharp-edge industrial loads (machinery, raw stock).
C6
Steel Oversize
18″ x 19″. The widest standard B&P nose plate. Used for appliances, vending machines, and oversize crates. Pairs with extending B11/B14 frames.
Aluminum vs. steel — what fails first
Aluminum CA-series will bend before it cracks. If you’re seeing a curled lip on the leading edge, it’s aluminum that hit something hard — replace and consider a steel upgrade if it happens twice. Steel C-series will crack at the rivet line before bending. If you’re seeing rivet pull-through, you’ve been overloading past 800 lb — replace and audit your load policy.
Nose plate FAQs
Can I bolt an aluminum nose to a steel frame?Mechanically yes, but you’ll lose the capacity rating. B&P matches aluminum to aluminum and steel to steel so the rivets stay within stress spec. Mixing voids the load rating.
How heavy is a CA2 nose plate?About 4.5 lb. Steel C2 in the same size is roughly 9 lb — you feel the difference on a route truck doing 200+ lifts a day.
Why does my nose plate keep curling?Aluminum nose plates curl when the truck is repeatedly slammed under heavy pallets at speed. Switch to steel (C2 or C6) if you’re seeing curling twice a year.
What’s a folding extension nose?A separate type of nose plate that folds out for oversize loads. Listed as a folding nose SKU on the B&P parts list, not in the C-code series. Use it when CA2 isn’t wide enough but you still want a flat plate for normal loads.
Will a CA2 fit a Magliner truck?No. B&P uses a proprietary rivet pattern. CA2 will only bolt to B&P frames.
Cross-reference your C-code
Send a photo of your old nose plate. We’ll match the C-code and confirm fit.
Call 844-439-4335
