Written by: Timur Lesov

April 18, 2025

Updated on April 16, 2025

A 26-foot box truck can hold about 12-14 regular pallets (48” × 40”). How many you fit really depends on how you arrange them. If you stack them two-high, you could fit 24-28 pallets. Keep in mind that weight limits, item height, and stacking ability affect how much you can fit.

Pallet and Box Truck Sizes

The Basics on Pallets

North American pallets (GMA pallets) are 48” × 40”. These are your standard sizes that everything else gets calculated from. When you’re looking at a typical 26-foot box truck, here’s what you’re working with inside:

• Length: about 312 inches (26 feet)
• Width: 96-102 inches (8-8.5 feet)
• Height: 96-102 inches (8-8.5 feet)

If you rent from Enterprise, their 26-foot commercial trucks are 26’ × 102” × 102”. You get about 1,800 cubic feet of space and can load up to 10,000 pounds. Knowing this helps you plan your stuff better.

Weight Limits to Know

Weight is just as important as size. For a typical 26-foot box truck:

• You can haul up to 10,000 pounds
• The truck’s total weight rating (GVWR) is 25,999 pounds

Remember to balance both space and weight limits. Going over can cause safety problems, legal issues, and damage to the truck or whatever you’re hauling.

Single Layer Pallet Configuration

Standard Loading Arrangements

When loading pallets in one layer, two key orientation methods impact total capacity.

If you position the 48-inch side of the pallet along the truck’s length, the math indicates:

• 312 inches (truck length) ÷ 48 inches (pallet length) = 6.5 pallets.
• With the truck width accommodating 2 pallets side by side, total capacity equals 6 × 2 = 12 pallets.

Place the 40-inch side of the pallet along the truck’s length.

• 312 inches (truck length) ÷ 40 inches (pallet width) = 7.8 pallets.
• With 2 pallets side by side, total capacity equals 7 × 2 = 14 pallets.

Most sources agree on these numbers. A 26-foot box truck usually holds 12 to 14 standard pallets in one layer.

Practical Considerations for Single Layer Loading

When loading pallets in one layer, a few factors affect the layout and overall capacity:

• Wheel wells and other interior obstructions may affect placement.
• The need for securing space and tie-down points.
• Access requirements for unloading at multiple destinations.
• Weight distribution for balanced and safe driving.

Practical factors often lower the theoretical maximum of 14 pallets. This helps secure and distribute weight properly in the cargo area.

Double Stacked Pallet Capacity

How Many Can You Fit?

Double stacking seriously boosts your box truck capacity! Here’s what you can fit:

• Stack 12 pallets twice = 24 pallets total
• Stack 14 pallets twice (width-oriented) = 28 pallets total

This means way better efficiency and lower per-pallet shipping costs.

What You Need to Know

Not everything can be double stacked. Check these requirements:

• A standard 26-foot box truck is about 8 feet tall inside
• Regular pallets are around 6 inches thick
• Your goods shouldn’t be taller than 42 inches per pallet
• Items must be stable enough to handle stacking
• Watch your total weight – stay within truck limits
• Leave some space between cargo and roof
• Remember: “Only heavy pallets can be stacked”

How Many Pallets Fit In A Truck?

Pallet Types Matter

Standard North American pallets are 48” × 40”, but there are others:

• Euro pallets are smaller at 47.2” × 31.5”
• Block pallets and solid deck pallets have different structures
• Wood vs. plastic affects weight and how high you can stack them

All this changes how many pallets fit in a 26-foot box truck. Always adjust your math for whatever pallets you’re using!

Loading Equipment Changes Everything

Your equipment affects how many pallets fit:

• Pallet jacks need different space than forklifts
• Manual loading? You’ll need extra room to move around
• Those tuck-under lift gates on Enterprise trucks help with loading but take up space
• Roll-up doors vs. swing doors changes how you arrange everything

Weight and Securing

Good weight distribution isn’t just safer—it affects your layout:

• Put heavy stuff toward the front and center
• Use the tie-down points, wood slats, or E-tracks to keep things from shifting
• Leave room for all your securing equipment (which might mean fewer pallets)

Enterprise trucks come with wood tie slats and E-tracks built-in to help keep your load secure.

Truck Size Breakdown: What You Need to Know

How Big Trucks Stack Up

A quick look at what different box trucks can handle:

• 24-foot truck: Fits 10-12 pallets (single stack) or 20-24 pallets (double stack)
• 16-foot truck: Holds about 8 pallets (single stack)
• 15-foot truck: Carries roughly 6 pallets (single stack)

Here’s the thing – a 26-footer won’t necessarily hold more pallets than a 24-foot truck. Why? Standard pallets are 48 inches long. Those extra 2 feet mainly provide more space to move between pallets, not more capacity.

Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck

When picking a truck size, think about what you’re shipping:

• For full pallet loads, a 26-foot truck gives you plenty of space
• The 26-footer is great for mixed loads or stuff that isn’t on pallets – way more flexible
• Hauling smaller loads? A 16-foot or 20-foot truck uses less fuel but still fits what you need

Bottom line: match your truck to what you’re carrying, keeping both space and weight limits in mind.

Useful Summarization Table

A 26-foot box truck can fit quite a lot of standard pallets! You’re looking at a truck with dimensions around 26 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8 feet high on the inside.

Standard pallets are about four feet long and a bit over three feet wide, with a height of half a foot.

You can double stack your cargo if the items stack. Just make sure you don’t exceed weight limits. Also, leave some safety space near the roof.

Remember, these trucks can carry up to ten thousand pounds. So, think about both weight and space when you load them.

You can usually fit twelve to fourteen pallets in one layer. Double stacking loaded pallets increases that number to around twenty-four to twenty-eight.

You can pack empty pallets more efficiently. Just stack them directly on top of each other. This way, you don’t have to worry about cargo height.

This info helps logistics teams figure out how many pallets fit in a standard box truck. This, in turn, optimizes space and cuts costs.

Timur Lesov

Eco-freak, nerd, and green technology fanatic. I’m in favor of making eco-friendly living simple as well. I graduated from Berkeley in 2017. Studied environmental science and all things sustainability related. I create content and share simple tips for greening your everyday life. I think even small changes can make a huge difference and we can build a cleaner and more sustainable future.