Freight · 5 min read
Pallet Freight 101: Sizing, Stacking & Securing a Load
What actually fits on a pallet, how it gets strapped down for the road, and what "loaded miles" means on your invoice.
Freight that isn't secured properly doesn't just risk damage — it risks a citation, or worse, an accident on the road. Here's how pallet freight actually works.
Standard Pallet Sizes
- The most common footprint is 40" x 48" — the industry-standard GMA pallet used by most warehouses.
- Height matters as much as footprint: our truck fits pallets up to 101" high, which covers most stacked or crated freight.
- Oddly-shaped items (countertop slabs, cabinet runs) often ship upright and strapped rather than stacked flat.
How Loads Get Secured
- E-track rails run the length of the truck bed, giving tie-down points anywhere they're needed instead of fixed anchor points.
- Ratchet straps — not bungee cords — are the standard for anything over a few hundred pounds.
- Fragile or upright freight (like stone slabs) gets braced against the wall and cross-strapped so it can't shift or tip in transit.
- An electric pallet jack handles positioning inside the truck without manual dragging, which protects both the freight and the floor.
How "Loaded Miles" Get Billed
- Loaded miles are counted from pickup to drop-off — not from the truck's home base.
- Multi-stop freight runs bill loaded miles between each stop, so consolidating drop-offs on one route saves money.
- California requires double drive time to be billed at the agreed hourly rate for intrastate hauls — a legal requirement, not a hidden fee.
Reminder
If your street has parking restrictions, confirm your moving company has a permit or reserved space for the truck — a blocked driveway is the #1 cause of move-day delays.
Morning Of
- Be present (or have someone present) when the truck arrives — most movers require a signature before labor time starts.
- Point out anything fragile, oversized, or requiring special handling before loading begins.
- Do a final sweep of every room after loading, before the crew leaves.
At the New Place
- Walk the crew through where each labeled room goes before unloading starts.
- Keep the "first night" box within reach — you'll want it before you want to unpack anything else.
- Do a final walkthrough of the truck bed before it drives off, to confirm nothing was missed.
Every VimGO move includes pad-wrapping for non-breakable furniture, dollies, and blankets at no extra charge — see our moving rates and contract terms for the full breakdown.