How to load pallets for a multi-drop run
For a rear-only multi-drop run, put the first customer’s pallets nearest the doors and the final customer’s farther forward. Before you follow that rule, check which side each site can actually unload from. A pallet at the back can still be out of reach at a tight delivery point.
Make a drop list before booking floor space
Write the stops in driving order, with pallet counts, loaded sizes and the expected access at each address. Ask whether the customer has a forklift or expects a tail-lift delivery. Give each customer a label the driver and the person loading the vehicle can both recognise.
Walk through three drops before setting off
Suppose a rigid has one pallet for the first drop, two for the second and two for the last. With rear access throughout, put the first pallet by the doors and check that the next two can be reached once it is off. The second customer’s pair should stay together if it makes both easier to identify and reach.
If the first customer can only unload from the left of a curtainsider, check for a clear route to their pallet from that side. A pallet next to the rear doors can be on the wrong side of the load. Use the access confirmed for the vehicle and the site.
Rehearse the unload on the phone
In Palletner Pro, assign the pallets to customers, set the stop order yourself and choose the unloading side for the space. Check the layout shown before each stop. If the real sites require different approaches, use those views to spot potential obstructions and verify the access separately. Share the stop list and the vehicle’s loading instructions with whoever will unload.
Sources and further reading
- Fagan & Whalley – Q&A with a UK Class 2 multi-drop driver
- PalletOnline – multi-drop pallet deliveries