How do I load 20 chep pallets securely in a 53' semi trailer.?

Question

Ive been loading 20 pallets in a pattern with two singles one in the nose and one in row three and an airbag in the last row. The total pallet weight is 44,120. I have to have the singles to keep the weight spread evenly. I've tried a chimney stack pattern with three doubled rowes an airbag then a six foot gap then seven more doubled rows with an airbag on each end. The cost in airbags this way and the additional labor isn't cost effective. I want to try something new that doesn't use more than one airbag.

Answer 1

I'm assuming your loading this on a dry van? I always load my freight single double single and double all the way back. This allows more than enough room for fuel. This is the most standard practice of loading any trlr or any kind of freight. Use your load locks in the back end. If your worried about some of them over turning you can use your load locks in the middle as well. I always have at LEAST 3 load locks at all times on my trlrs.

Chimney stacking is good if you have an odd amount of pallets or odd size pallets or you need to get more pallets on.

Answer 2

The answer,  truthfully,  is dependent on the vehicle setup you have,  and where you are going.   (Califoria bridge is ridiculous!)

If your weight is good the way you have been loading,   don't change it.   With singles in rows 1 and 3,  put the doubles in row 2  and 4 against the walls each side.   Then,  from row 5 back,  put the pallets against each other, first to one side then the other.   With proper shrink wrap,  you should never have any problems like this.         By  loading this way,  you lock the pallets into each other and gain the walls for support.   Each row from 5 back (except the last) has only one unsupported side where product may shift,  and this is hindered by the row in front and behind.   Bag the last row if you think it needs it.

If you have different products with different weight densities,  split them.  IE,  6 pallets @ 1500 each,  8 pallets/2000 each,   and 8 pallets 2500 each.     Load half of group 1,  half of group 2,  and all of group 3.   Then the last of group 2,  and the last of group 1.    Slide the back of the rear tires under the back edge of the last pallet and go axle it out.     The load is balanced because the weights were split end to end.    The exception is going into California,  where you load 4 of the light group on the tail.   Side note,  the pallets are part of the load and the weight needs to be included on the bill of lading.

Answer 3

double, single, single, double, single,double,single,double,single, single, double, double. That should bring you right to the 48' mark