Plan the load before the truck arrives
Different pallet sizes on one truck is where loading goes wrong. Enter what you have, see how it actually sits on the deck, check the weight over the kingpin and the bogie, and send the driver the picture.
Vehicle
Cargo
Axle limits
Defaults are a normal 4×2 tractor with a triple-axle trailer.
Loading questions worth getting right
Why does weight distribution matter if I am under the total limit?
Because axles are weighed separately. A trailer at 22 t total can still be 2 t over on the drive axle if the heavy pallets went in at the front. Roadside checks weigh each axle, and the fine lands on the carrier.
Where should the heavy pallets go?
Toward the middle, slightly forward of the bogie. Heavy at the back lifts weight off the kingpin and the tractor loses traction; heavy at the very front overloads the drive axle. If the load is mixed, spread the dense items along the deck rather than grouping them.
Can I stack euro pallets two high?
Only if the goods carry the weight and the shipper allows it. Two layers halve your loading metres, which is the single biggest saving available on a part load — but a crushed bottom layer costs far more than the metres saved.
What is the difference between loading metres and floor space?
Loading metres measure length across the full 2.4 m width. A pallet that sits alone in a row still burns the whole width, so half-empty rows are what quietly destroys a part load's economics.
How do I send the load plan to the driver?
Download the PNG and send it on WhatsApp, or copy the shareable link — it opens the same plan on his phone. The picture settles arguments at the ramp faster than any conversation.
Does the planner know about ADR or stacking restrictions?
No. It solves geometry and weight, not compatibility. Dangerous goods segregation, temperature zones and do-not-stack labels are still your job — the plan is a starting point, not a permit.