Truck Loading Terms You Should Know

Whether you’ve been sending out freight shipments for many years or are brand-new to loading trailers, there are a few key truck loading terms you should know. No matter when, where, or how often you send a truck into the world, these will help you understand exactly what’s going on each time you pack a trailer or container. Let’s take a look at some of the most important terms below. Cube Utilization Cube utilization is a common phrase that refers to the area within a trailer or a container. What it essentially breaks down to is the amount of total space that is used inside that trailer. Most often, it is measured in percentages. An easy way to understand this is that a totally full container with no extra room to pack in more pallets has 100% cube utilization. Palletized Loads This one might seem pretty obvious, but it’s still necessary that anyone loading a truck knows exactly what a palletized load is, as well as important factors to consider about them. At the most basic level, a palletized load is a group of items that have been unitized onto a pallet. They are frequently held in place by stretch wrap, poly strapping, and/or steel strapping. Palletized loads can be placed into a trailer in a variety of different ways, but the items themselves and the method used to bundle them may necessitate a specific method. One variable of a palletized load that needs to be addressed before all else is weight. Heavy loads may require you to pack fewer pallets into the trailer, depending on how much it can hold. Lighter loads will make you focus more on cube utilization and how to best fit your pallets amongst one another. You also need to consider how far your truck will travel. The further it goes, the more likely it is that you’ll want to increase your cube utilization as much as possible. Straight Loading Straight loading is one method of placing pallets into a trailer or container. When utilizing straight loading, the operator must use two-way pallets and load them into the container in the direction of the pallet stringers. This approach to loading generally allows standard 40 x 48-inch pallets to be placed two across with extra space between the pallets and along the walls. There are both advantages and disadvantages to using straight loading when packing a truck. For the most part, it is the fastest loading method available and is a great option for local or regional shipments. However, because it leaves additional room in between the pallets and walls, there is a higher chance of shifting during transit. If you frequently utilize straight loading, you’ll likely want to consider using a void fill like Dunnage air bags in the container to help prevent shifting and damage. Turned Loading When utilizing the turned loading method to pack a truck, four-way pallets are placed into the trailer in a sideways orientation with the stringers perpendicular to the back wall. This usually allows your average 40 x 48-inch pallets to be loaded side by side into most trailers, though many overseas and refrigerated containers won’t have the width to accommodate them two across. Turned loading is an exceptional choice for longer, domestic truck shipments. It offers a high amount of cube utilization and much better protection against pallet shifting than straight loading. This reduces damage during transit, which can save you money, though your labor time will take longer when using turned loading than it will with straight loading. Pinwheeling Pinwheeling is the third method of truck loading. During the pinwheeling process, the operator alternates the direction of every other pallet to create a combination of straight and turned pallets. This is an ideal loading arrangement for smaller containers, especially the refrigerated variety or those that will eventually travel overseas, as it more fully utilizes the space inside of the trailer when you can’t accommodate two pallets side by side. Like each of the other truck loading approaches, pinwheeling comes with its upsides and downsides. It’s a great way to pack pallets with different load orientations, particularly tall or unstable loads, as you can create additional stability when interlocking them together. However, pinwheeling is a slower process that can compromise your productivity and sometimes results in lower cube utilization. Truck and Trailer Loading Packing your trucks or trailers with palletized loads doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you understand the correct terminology and best methods for your needs, it’s a straightforward process that can be performed by your team.