A van for 8, 10 and 12 pallets – how to check dimensions and payload capacity

The number of pallets does not yet determine the dimensions or payload capacity of the van

Before comparing offers, determine the carrier format adopted in the declaration. The term “industrial pallet” does not indicate a single standard; EPAL 1 and EPAL 2 dimensions differ. The information “van for 10 EP” refers to a specific offer, so it is not a template for other bodies. Before comparing offers, you need to establish which pallet format the carrier adopted in its declaration and whether it applies to the usable space of the specific body.

Before choosing a vehicle, compare pallet arrangements in the trailer loading calculator. For further worked examples, see the guide How many pallets fit on a rigid, drawbar and artic?.

Reference point: pallet dimensions used in transport planning

According to the EPAL specification, the EPAL 1 pallet measures 1200 × 800 × 144 mm, and EPAL 2 - 1200 × 1000 × 162 mm. “Industrial pallet” means a category of use, not one mandatory standard. The 1200 × 1000 mm format alone does not confirm that the carrier is a certified EPAL 2; check the marking and documentation of the specific pallet.

Van for 10 europallets: the only confirmed example of a body

The EPAL specification gives the EPAL 1 pallet a base of 1200 × 800 mm and a height of 144 mm. The actual outline of the unit may be larger due to the goods and packaging.

In the offer description for Renault Master Plandeka 10 EP, the operator gives a space length of 485 cm, a width of 220 cm and a height of 240 cm; it also describes a variant with a lowering body and a payload capacity of 1050 kg. These are the parameters of one configuration, not every Renault Master or all vans.

The operator declares 10 europallets for this configuration. For the EPAL 1 base (1200 × 800 mm), a 6 + 4 arrangement takes 4 800 mm of length in each lane: six pallets use the 800 mm side, and four rotated pallets use the 1200 mm side. The lane widths are 1200 mm and 800 mm respectively, 2000 mm in total. This is a calculation of the nominal arrangement based on an offer with a space of 485 × 220 cm, not confirmation of passage through the doors or secure fastening. The final fit must be checked in the drawing of the specific body, taking into account wheel arches, partitions and the outline of the goods.

Simply adding the base areas does not prove that the pallets can be arranged on a specific floor. In this example, the result comes from fitting two lanes to the length and width of the space. Wheel arches, partitions, the actual outline of the load, loading clearance and the door opening must be checked in the drawing of the specific body.

How to confirm loading of 8, 10 or 12 pallets before placing the order

Ask for the internal dimensions available for the load, preferably for the specific model and body. Measure or confirm:

• the usable floor length from the partition to the doors;
• the width at the narrowest point, including between the wheel arches;
• the height from the floor to the lowest element limiting the space;
• the width and height of the door opening, which may be smaller than the interior dimensions;
• the dimensions of each loaded unit, not just the empty pallet.

Then sketch the pallets in both base orientations. Check each row separately: the outline must fit within the actual clear space of the body, and loading and unloading must not require assuming that the pallet will pass through a narrower door opening. For mixed loads, count the formats separately. Stack only if the packaging load-bearing capacity allows the load to be transferred to the layers below; take into account marked stacking limits and check the stability of the stack.

The number of pallet spaces does not tell you how much the shipment weighs or what mass the vehicle can accept. Add up the gross masses of all units, including the goods, packaging, pallet and securing equipment, and compare the result with the payload capacity specified for the specific vehicle and body. Confirm with the carrier whether the stated value includes additional equipment installed in the vehicle. Art. 61 sec. 2 of the Road Traffic Act requires such load distribution that permitted axle loads are not exceeded and the vehicle’s stability is not compromised.

Errors that change the planning result

The most common mistake is treating the number of spaces as confirmation of dimensions, height or payload capacity. It is equally risky to calculate from the nominal pallet sides without checking the door opening, wheel arches, outline of the goods and layout of the specific body.

1. Provide the carrier with the number, format and actual dimensions of the pallets with goods.
2. Provide the total gross mass and the mass of each unit if they differ from one another.
3. Obtain the usable dimensions of the floor, the space between the wheel arches and the door opening of the specific body.
4. Ask for a drawing or written confirmation of the pallet arrangement, taking into account orientation and access during loading.
5. Confirm the available payload capacity after taking into account the body and equipment and axle load limits.
6. Dimension compliance is confirmed only by geometric fit. Art. 61 sec. 3 of the Road Traffic Act requires the load to be secured against shifting; before driving, agree on the fastening method for the specific body.

The most reliable answer to the question of whether a van will fit 8, 10 or 12 pallets is obtained only by comparing the data of the specific vehicle with the dimensions, mass and arrangement of the shipment. If the carrier provides only the number of spaces, ask for the body specification and confirmation of the available payload capacity before ordering transport.

Checking your own configuration before confirming transport

Before booking, check the geometry of the pallets and body in Pallet3D, and confirm the vehicle dimensions and available payload capacity with the carrier.