Find out how many pallets fit on a truck, what their dimensions are, what palletization is, and how to efficiently arrange pallets in a truck in this article.
What is palletization?
Palletization is a logistics solution that significantly improves transportation efficiency. This process involves arranging cargo on pallets in a precisely defined way, making it easier to move and later ship goods while ensuring maximum safety at every stage of order fulfillment. Palletization is a repetitive task, so to expedite and enhance the entire process, it has been heavily automated. Special machines called palletizers are commonly used for this purpose, efficiently grouping the cargo on pallets according to a predetermined order.
The advantages of palletization include high efficiency, faster loading and unloading of goods, and better utilization of available space.
What are the types of pallets?
This is a common question for those wanting to plan transportation more efficiently and wondering how many pallets fit on a truck trailer. Euro pallets are the most popular type, but not the only one. Other types include industrial pallets, as well as plastic and metal pallets. However, wood is undoubtedly the most common material for pallets. Among wooden pallets, the following types can be identified:
- Open, four-way entry – most popular in the EU.
- Closed, four-way entry – most popular in the UK.
- Stringer pallets, two-way entry, closed at the bottom – North America, Asia.
- Bearer pallets, two-way entry – North America, Asia, Africa.
How can you quickly identify that certain pallets meet European standards? This is indicated by appropriate markings – the EUR trademark (on the right bearer) and EPAL (left bearer). The pallet should also have information about production (license number, year, month) and the country of origin of the wood.
What are the dimensions of pallets?
Dimensions are a factor that determines how many pallets fit on a truck. As mentioned, Euro pallets are standardized, and all construction guidelines are strictly defined. Requirements can be found in the UIC 435 code (load capacity, quality of elements, dimensions, assembly methods), as well as in the UNE-EN 13698-1 standard. According to these, a Euro pallet should consist of 11 boards, 9 blocks, and 78 nails.
The standard Euro pallet has dimensions of 1200 x 800 mm. This size is a multiple of the dimensions of transport containers, facilitating efficient use of space. According to the aforementioned regulations, the pallet should have a height of 144 mm and weigh around 25 kg. Wooden pallets with these properties allow for high load capacity (static load up to 4000 kg and dynamic load between 1000 and 1500 kg), ensuring the safe transport of goods.
Vehicle dimensions also matter
A standard truck trailer is about 13.6 m long, 2.45 m high, and has a load capacity of 24 tons, allowing the transport of goods on 33 pallets. Maximum load capacity is another factor when determining how many pallets can be loaded onto a truck.
How does this issue look in the case of other types of pallets? For example, how many industrial pallets fit on a truck? They are larger than Euro pallets, usually measuring 1200 mm x 1000 mm, so it can be estimated that about 25 pallets with goods can fit. It's important to note that everything depends on the dimensions of the specific trailer.
How to plan and calculate the arrangement of pallets in a truck?
During the planning stage, it's important to properly secure the cargo – it should be evenly distributed based on weight, not just the volume of the pallet. The weight should be proportionally distributed on each side of the trailer. This is crucial, as errors here can result in excessive pressure on individual vehicle axles, leading to damage and increased fuel consumption. However, potential breakdowns are not the only concern, as the law imposes high fines for axle overload or overloading the vehicle during transportation.
Calculations of how many Euro pallets fit on a truck can be aided by simulators and pallet arrangement calculators. These calculations can also be done independently. It's essential to consider the so-called loading meter (LDM), which is the space equivalent to the width of the trailer and the length of one meter. 1 LDM equals 2.4 m², while a single Euro pallet is approximately 0.4 LDM.
Eurowag can help you deliver!
Logistics and transportation require efficient and precise use of all the resources a company has at its disposal in order to increase profitability and avoid waste. By understanding the information presented in this article, you can choose the best vehicle for the load, optimize routes to stay compliant with any size and weight restrictions, and even increase fuel efficiency.
Still need help with fleet management solutions? Eurowag can help. Our powerful telemetric software with a suite of tools can provide valuable insights on everything from driver behavior to fuel consumption, and even data analysis of freight loads. Combine these with our route planner to help you choose the best roads and times to travel, and you can make the most of every truck in your fleet. Contact us today to find out why Eurowag is the best partner for trucking and logistics companies throughout Europe.
