Enter the vehicle and the load unit and see how many pallets or cartons fit, whether space or weight is the limit and how the floor plan looks. It takes the built pallet from the pallet calculator.
Pre-sizing and estimating tool: results do not replace design, calculations or reports signed by a licensed professional, nor verification against the applicable codes and standards.
To scale; the nose of the vehicle is on the left. Different colors mark units turned 90°; the number in each spot is how many are stacked. Heuristic result: a good layout, not necessarily the optimum.
How much of the vehicle the load uses. The governing limit gets close to 100%.
Units per vehicle with typical dimensions and payloads. Orange: weight governs; blue: space governs.
The calculation report gathers this page's inputs, results, equations, assumptions and references, with fields for project, engineer and revision. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print dialog, choose Save as PDF.
It finds how many pallets or cartons fit in a trailer or container, checking space (floor and height) and weight (payload) at the same time. It shows which limit governs, floor, cube and payload utilization and a floor plan to guide loading. Use it to quote truckload freight, pick the equipment and know how many trips an order takes.
A 53 ft dry van (about 52.5 ft × 98 in inside) takes 26 GMA pallets (48 × 40 in) loaded straight, two across on the 40 in side, or 30 turned, two across on the 48 in side. The example uses the turned layout with 1/2 in clearance and gets 30 floor spots. Double stacking only works if the load height and packaging allow it.
There are 30 floor spots, but 1,600 lb pallets against a 45,000 lb payload allow only 28: weight governs. The load is 44,800 lb, almost 100% of payload, with 2 spots left empty; spread the pallets along the floor so no axle is overloaded. The 60-pallet shipment needs 3 trailers, the last one with 4.
The list values are typical and vary by maker, year and axle setup. Containers carry a plate on the door with MAX GROSS and TARE (payload is the difference), and inside dimensions are in the carrier’s spec sheet. For trailers, ask the carrier and measure inside, allowing for wheel wells, logistic posts and door frames.
Because the space above the pallets and the gaps between them go unused. With 56 in pallets in a 108 in high van, about 4 ft stays empty above the load if pallets cannot be stacked. If the packaging allows, the "Up to 2 tiers" option shows how much more one trip could carry, subject to payload.
It adds space to each pallet for forklift handling and for out-of-square pallets or overhanging freight. Zero clearance is theoretical; about 1/2 in is usually enough. Too much clearance can cost a whole row, so test your real value.
The floor layout is a straight-cut heuristic: a good layout, not necessarily the optimum. The calculator does not check axle weights, the bridge formula, center of gravity or load securement, which are all required. When weight governs, distribute the load along the floor and confirm weight limits with the carrier.
Important notice: Indus Metrics tools produce estimates and pre-sizing results from the data you enter and from published engineering methods. They do not replace design, calculations or reports signed by a licensed professional engineer (PE), nor verification against the applicable codes, standards and regulations, such as OSHA rules and the ASME codes. Material and fuel properties vary: check manufacturer data or your own process analyses before deciding. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use.
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