Pallets used in trucking

Freightquote ships all types of pallets. There are two main types of pallets: stringer pallets and block pallets Stringer pallets have a base made with 2x4 wood, plastic or metal "stringers," while normal block pallets have a base of individual blocks.

Pallet illustration

Pallet information

Pallets are most commonly referred to by their entry type, or how a forklift can get under the pallet in order to move it around. There are three pallet entry types:

  • Two way pallets – have openings for the forks of a forklift only in two pallet ends. These are also referred to as "unnotched" pallets.
  • Partial four way entry pallets – have openings at both ends like a two-way pallet, but also have small side openings with limited room for some brands of forklifts (maybe due to overlapping top boards or other design needs). These pallets are rare.
  • Four way entry pallets have openings at both ends and sides with full accessibility of all openings. All block pallets have this type. "Four ways" are the most common pallet type of pallet used.

People will often combine class and type and refer to a pallet as a "two-way stringer" or a "four-way block," for example.

Because pallets were first invented by the U.S. military, they have specifications galore. While there is great diversification in pallet specs depending on usage, most of the pallets that our customers use are made of wood and are approximately 40” x 48”. Which is a standard dictated by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). Why does the GMA get to dictate pallet size? Because they were the first major industry to do so, and it just stuck.

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