As a freight transportation professional, it is common to wonder how many pallets per truckload you can haul. In this article, we will discuss pallet capacities in a truck and how to maximize it.
What is a Pallet in the Trucking Industry?
Pallets are the containers you can use to pick up, store, or transport goods in a truckload. Most pallets are reusable, meaning you can utilize the pallets again after you deliver or unload a truckload of goods.
Standard Pallet Sizes and Types
The standard size of pallets can be different depending on the country or region. There are two main types you will find in the market: North American and European. If you want to carry a truckload of pallets in North America the US, here are your options:
- 48 inches by 48 inches (121.9 centimeters by 121.9 centimeters)
- 48 inches by 40 inches (121.9 centimeters by 101.6 centimeters)
- 42 inches by 42 inches (106.7 centimeters by 106.7 centimeters)
The European standard pallet sizes for truckloads differ from the US ones. Here is how:
- EUR 1 (mostly used in Europe): 31.50 inches by 47.24 inches (80 centimeters by 120 centimeters)
- EUR 2 (mostly used in the UK): 39.37 inches by 47.24 inches (100 centimeters by 120 centimeters)
- EUR 3: 39.37 inches by 47.24 inches (100 centimeters by 120 centimeters)
- EUR 6: 23.62 inches by 31.50 inches (60 centimeters by 80 centimeters)
How Many Pallets Fit in a Truckload
Now that you know what sizes the pallets come in, it is time to figure out how many pallets you can fit in your truck. The size and type of your trailer will determine the number of pallets per truckload you can haul. Let’s take a look at the standard trailer sizes along with their weight and pallet capacity.
| Size of the Truck or Trailer | Pallets per Truckload | Weight Capacity |
| 16 ft | 6 – 8 | 3.5 tons |
| 20 ft | 10 – 11 | 5 tons |
| 24 ft | 12 | 7.5 tons |
| 26 ft | 14 – 16 | 18 tons |
| 40 ft | 20 – 24 | 22.25 tons |
| 48 ft | 24 – 26 | 23.5 tons |
| 53 ft | 26 – 32 | 24.5 tons |
Calculating How Many Pallets a Truck Carry
First you need to measure the dimensions of your pallet and the space inside your trailer. Then use the formula below:
- Pallets per Truckload = Trailer Length (in inches) / Pallet Length (in inches)
You can usually carry double the amount if your pallets are stackable and of similar height. If the heights are uneven, you can carry a little more than double, depending on each pallet’s height.
Factors Behind the Number of Pallets per Truckload
The table in the previous section has detailed the average number of pallets per truckload. However, the actual amount you can haul depends on different factors. These factors are as follows:
- Pallet Weight Capacity: Standard pallets can carry around 3500 to 4500 lbs. However, it varies depending on the size, material, dimensions, and the goods you are carrying. So, depending on these factors, the number of pallets per truckload can be different.
- Load Limits: As seen on the table, different trucks and trailers have different weight capacities. It is illegal to haul cargo heavier than these limits. So, even if you have empty space in your trailer, you can not fit more pallets if you reach the weight limit.
- Stackability: If your pallets are stackable, you can theoretically fit double the amount of pallets per truckload. However, the difference in size or weight might hinder that. In any case, you can definitely fit more pallets in a truck if they are stackable.
- Technique: Pinwheeled or Turned loading techniques might allow you to haul more pallets in a truckload, compared to Straight loading. If you need to distribute the weight of the pallets evenly, you might need to load fewer pallets. The size or dimensions of your trailer can also affect the loading technique.
Tips to Maximize the Number of Pallets in a Truck
To make sure that you are on top of your freight transportation business, you must maximize the space in your trucks. So, you should follow a few common techniques to haul the highest number of pallets per truckload. Let’s take a look at the tips below:
- Properly measure the dimensions of your pallets and trailer space. This will help you plan and avoid empty spaces.
- Follow proper loading techniques (Straight, Turned, Pinwheeled, Weight Distributed) to use the maximum available space.
- Stack pallets whenever possible. This will increase the number of pallets per truckload. Be sure to stack them properly and securely.
- Considering the truck dimensions, try to choose pallet sizes that fit well together. This will allow you to stack and utilize the items better.
- If you have varying sizes of pallets, you can not usually use common loading techniques. So, try to arrange them in a way that fills all the gaps.
- Load heavier and larger items first and at the bottom. It will help you to distribute the weight evenly and stack pallets to maximize the number.
- Try to organize and place pallets of similar height together. This will help you stack the pallets effectively to avoid wasted space in the truck.
Conclusion
To further optimize the number of pallets per truckload, we recommend using standard sized pallets and trailers to haul cargo. You can use online calculators and other software to find optimal amounts and techniques. Maximizing how many pallets you can fit in a truckload will make your freight transportation more cost effective.
FAQ
How many pallets fit in a dry van?
Dry vans come in 48 foot and 53 foot variations. Depending on that, you can carry around 24 to 34 standard size pallets.
How many 40 x 48 inches pallets fit in a 53 foot truck?
Usually you can carry 26. However, if your pallets are stackable you can fit a maximum of 52 depending on the weight of the cargo.
