How many pallets can you fit on an artic trailer?
The backbone of the transport industry
Articulated lorries, or ‘artics’, as they’re known, are the vehicles most people picture when they think of logistics and haulage – and perhaps rightly so. These mammoth lorries, consisting of a truck (tractor) and a trailer, are designed to handle vast volumes and heavy loads efficiently. Their versatility and capacity make them an indispensable tool for transporting goods worldwide, whether they’re carrying standard pallets or irregularly shaped items. Considering their star status in the logistics industry, we thought we’d answer every question you could possibly have about them. An artic is made up of a tractor unit and a trailer that are connected by a pivot joint. This allows the trailer to move independently of the tractor unit, making an artic more versatile than a other vehicles such as rigids.
What is the maximum length of an artic?
The maximum permitted length of an artic in the UK is 16.5 metres – however, different configurations of tractor cabs and trailers can exceed this length under certain conditions (detailed regulations on the maximum overall vehicle lengths are provided by the Department for Transport and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.) Needless to say, due to their size, weight and distinct handling characteristics, artics can only be operated by drivers with a specific HGV licence.
How many pallets can artic lorries hold?
A typical artic lorry with internal dimensions of 13.6 metres in length, 2.5 metres in width and 2.7 metres in height can hold up to 26 standard UK pallets (1200mm x 1000mm) when loaded in a single, evenly distributed layer. This capacity increases to 33 Euro pallets due to their smaller dimensions (800mm x 1200mm). These figures are based on loading the pallets in a single layer; however, the actual number can vary depending on the exact dimensions and loading configuration.
Artics are highly versatile vehicles that can accommodate various irregularly shaped items as well as standard palletised goods. The detachable trailers can be left with clients for loading, providing temporary storage or allowing for more flexible logistics operations. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that require time to load or unload goods without tying up the tractor cab. However, it’s important to note that most artic lorries don’t come equipped with a tail lift, so forklifts are going to be needed for loading and unloading.
The curtain-side option
The curtain-side trailer is the most common type of arctic used for palletised traffic. With a flat-bed floor, rear-end doors, a fixed rigid roof, and PVC curtains that can be drawn back to allow side loading, they are specifically designed for efficient deliveries. The internal dimensions of the most common curtain-sided trailer are 13.6 metres in length, 2.4 metres in width, and 2.5 metres in height, meaning they hold pretty much the same number of pallets as standard arctic, but with much easier access.
How many pallets fit on a double deck trailer?
Double deck trailers are designed to maximise the number of pallets that can be transported in a single journey. While they may have the same (up to) 13.6-metre length as standard trailers, double deck trailers offer two levels of storage. This design effectively doubles the number of pallets that can be carried, increasing the capacity from 26 pallets on a standard trailer to 52 UK pallets or 66 Euro pallets.
What size is a 44-tonne lorry in the UK?
A 44-tonne artic typically has a payload capacity of around 28 tonnes. Its carrying dimensions are approximately 13.3 metres in length (with an overall length of 16.5m), 2.5 metres in width, and 2.6 metres in height. The overall height of the vehicle is generally 3.5 metres, with a floor height of 1.3 metres.
How do you calculate lorry capacity?
A lorry’s payload capacity can be determined by subtracting its curb weight from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). For example, if a lorry has a GVWR of 9,000 pounds and a curb weight of 6,000 pounds, its payload capacity would be 3,000 pounds.
To find out more about articulated lorries and how X2 (UK)’s fleet can help meet your business’s logistics needs, you can contact us here.