Smarter Crating & Stacking Pallets for Shipping
Properly packaging your shipments onto pallets or crates helps protect it and makes it easier to move. Carriers often prefer palletized loads because it helps them maximize space inside their trailer, making the shipping process more convenient for both parties. In this video, one of our shipping experts will walk you through some of the “dos” and “don’ts” of choosing a correct pallet and preparing it for shipment.
To help you properly package your next freight shipment, here are a few quick tips for crating pallets and stacking:
- Choose the strongest, sturdiest wooden pallets.
- Shrink wrap or band loose boxes to the pallet.
- Utilize crush cones for fragile freight.
[Onscreen Text: Freight Tips from the Pros]
Sarah Thompson: I'm Sarah Thompson with Freightquote, and I'm joined with Ryan Baldi, terminal manager for Dayton Freight. He's here to go through the dos and don'ts of proper freight packing. Ready to go Ryan?
Ryan Baldi: Let's go!
[Onscreen Text: Crating Pallets & Stacking]
Thompson: First off, let's start with the basics. We have a loose box here. Ryan, what do you recommend we do with something like this?
Baldi: I definitely wouldn't ship it the way it is. I would get it and put it on top of a pallet and probably shrink wrap of band it on there. You could use some nylon banding to take care of that.
Thompson: Looks like we have a pallet over here. Is this the type of pallet you recommend, or maybe this isn't a good one?
Baldi: No, the only thing I'd recommend this pallet for would be to make a bonfire. It's not going to protect the product. It's a bunch of pieces of wood that have been cut up and nailed in. The problem is you have nothing supporting each of the legs, so it can cave in on itself. It's not a very strong sturdy wood so this is not something I'd recommend.
Thompson: Okay, I've seen things like plastic pallets and pallets made of particle board. Do you recommend using those?
Baldi: The ones that you're referring to look more egg shaped, like an egg carton, and all they do is break. The product that sits on top, especially with plastic, it moves and shifts because it's a slick surface. So it's really not an effective way to move freight.
Thompson: I see we have a pallet over here, do you recommend we use something like this?
Baldi: This is an ideal pallet. It's a 48" by 40" pallet, so you can come in [with a forklift] from the side or the front. [There are] many different [ways to load it] onto the trailer. It keeps everything secure, it's all steady and sturdy wood.
Thompson: Looks like we have some pretty tall freight right here. We want to make sure that customers don't have their freight crushed during the shipping process. What do you recommend for that?
Baldi: I'd recommend utilizing these "fragile, do not stack" pyramids. You can get these pyramids at any shipping store. They're easy to put together [and] you just put it on top of the pallet, secure it in and you're good.
Thompson: All right, thanks Ryan!
Thompson: Ryan, thank you for your time today. We really appreciate it.
Baldi: My pleasure!
Thompson: For more Freightquote videos, visit freightquote.com.
Sarah Thompson: I'm Sarah Thompson with Freightquote, and I'm joined with Ryan Baldi, terminal manager for Dayton Freight. He's here to go through the dos and don'ts of proper freight packing. Ready to go Ryan?
Ryan Baldi: Let's go!
[Onscreen Text: Crating Pallets & Stacking]
Thompson: First off, let's start with the basics. We have a loose box here. Ryan, what do you recommend we do with something like this?
Baldi: I definitely wouldn't ship it the way it is. I would get it and put it on top of a pallet and probably shrink wrap of band it on there. You could use some nylon banding to take care of that.
Thompson: Looks like we have a pallet over here. Is this the type of pallet you recommend, or maybe this isn't a good one?
Baldi: No, the only thing I'd recommend this pallet for would be to make a bonfire. It's not going to protect the product. It's a bunch of pieces of wood that have been cut up and nailed in. The problem is you have nothing supporting each of the legs, so it can cave in on itself. It's not a very strong sturdy wood so this is not something I'd recommend.
Thompson: Okay, I've seen things like plastic pallets and pallets made of particle board. Do you recommend using those?
Baldi: The ones that you're referring to look more egg shaped, like an egg carton, and all they do is break. The product that sits on top, especially with plastic, it moves and shifts because it's a slick surface. So it's really not an effective way to move freight.
Thompson: I see we have a pallet over here, do you recommend we use something like this?
Baldi: This is an ideal pallet. It's a 48" by 40" pallet, so you can come in [with a forklift] from the side or the front. [There are] many different [ways to load it] onto the trailer. It keeps everything secure, it's all steady and sturdy wood.
Thompson: Looks like we have some pretty tall freight right here. We want to make sure that customers don't have their freight crushed during the shipping process. What do you recommend for that?
Baldi: I'd recommend utilizing these "fragile, do not stack" pyramids. You can get these pyramids at any shipping store. They're easy to put together [and] you just put it on top of the pallet, secure it in and you're good.
Thompson: All right, thanks Ryan!
Thompson: Ryan, thank you for your time today. We really appreciate it.
Baldi: My pleasure!
Thompson: For more Freightquote videos, visit freightquote.com.