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Vehicle types

Vehicle types

Based on the size and type of shipment we arrange a suitable vehicle — from a van through rigid trucks to trucks with a curtainsider, box or cooling. A box van carries up to 5 pallets, a curtain-side van up to 10, a truck up to 33 europallets. Choose the vehicle directly in the calculator.

Vanup to 5 pallets
Curtain-side vanup to 10 pallets
Rigid truck15–18 pallets
Semi-trailer33 euro pallets
Body typescurtainsider, box, reefer, tail lift
We arrange the right vehicle — from 3.5 t vans through solo trucks with a tail lift to 24 t trucks, MEGA and frigo. We choose the vehicle exactly to match your shipment.

Vehicle Types Available for Your Shipment

Knapek Spedition works with a wide range of road freight vehicles through its carrier network. We select the most suitable type based on your shipment's weight, volume, special requirements and route.

Van up to 3.5 t

Box van with a payload of about 1,000 kg and roughly 4.2 m loading length. It takes up to 5 Euro pallets — ideal for small urgent shipments or courier-scale cargo requiring a door-to-door service without a loading dock.

Curtain-side van (Planentransporter)

Gross weight up to 3.5 t, payload about 1,300 kg, loading length around 4.9 m. It takes up to 10 pallets and longer goods that do not fit in a box van; the curtain side also allows loading from the side or top.

Rigid truck 7.5 t and 12 t

Payload 4–8 t, loading space 5–8 LDM. A versatile mid-range option: a 7.5 t truck takes up to 15 pallets, a 12 t truck up to 18. Frequently equipped with a tail lift for delivery without a dock.

Curtain-side articulated lorry 24 t

Payload up to 24 t, loading space 13.6 LDM — the standard for groupage and full loads across Europe. Accepts up to 33 Euro pallets in a single layer.

MEGA / Jumbo trailer

Internal height 3 m instead of the standard 2.7 m. Used for voluminous, lightweight cargo or shipments that can be double-stacked to maximise space.

Refrigerated truck (frigo/reefer)

Active cooling to maintain temperatures from −18°C to +8°C. ATP-certified for international perishable transport.

Vehicles with tail lift

A hydraulic rear platform allows loading and unloading without a dock. Available on vans, rigid trucks and some articulated lorries on request.

You can work out an indicative price for your route in the online calculator.

LDM calculator — work out the loading metres of your shipment and see which vehicle is enough.

Machinery and heavy items: Machinery transport — loading, securing and oversized loads

Not sure which vehicle to choose? See the comparison Van or truck? and the overview of vehicle types.

Frequently asked questions

Which vehicle should I choose?
Based on the number of pallets and weight. If unsure, send a request describing the goods and we choose the vehicle for you.
How much can a truck carry?
Up to 33 europallets and about 24 tonnes.
What is a two-compartment reefer?
A refrigerated vehicle with a partition, so two shipments can travel at different temperatures – for example chilled and frozen goods.
What is a rigid truck?
A truck without a trailer, with a fixed body, usually 7.5 or 12 t. It is more manoeuvrable than an articulated truck and suits city deliveries.
Can you arrange vehicles with a tail lift?
Yes, we routinely arrange 7.5 and 12 t rigid trucks with a tail lift for unloading without a ramp.
Which vehicle types can you arrange?
Van up to 3.5 t, rigid truck 7.5–12 t, articulated truck 24 t, MEGA trailer and reefer.
Do you carry chilled or frozen goods?
Yes, for chilled and frozen goods we arrange reefers with temperature control.
Can you handle oversized cargo?
For bulky cargo we arrange a MEGA trailer (100–120 m³); larger dimensions are handled individually.
What is the difference between a curtain-sider and a box truck?
A curtain-sider opens for loading from the top or side, a box body is closed and protects the goods better. Most pallet shipments travel in curtain-siders.
How many pallets does a rigid truck carry?
Usually 15 to 20 euro pallets, depending on the deck length.
What is the inside height of a truck?
A standard curtain-side trailer is about 2.7 m high inside, a MEGA trailer up to 3 m.
How big is a trailer's loading deck?
13.6 m long and about 2.45 m wide.
What is a drawbar combination (tandem)?
A truck and trailer with two decks totalling about 15.4 m. It holds up to 38 euro pallets and suits bulky goods.
When do I need side or top loading?
When loading by forklift from the side or by crane. A curtain-sider opens at the side and top – mention it in your enquiry.
Which vehicle for long goods?
Profiles, pipes or boards up to 13.6 m fit a curtain-side trailer. Longer loads are handled individually as oversized transport.
Knapek Spedition Freight forwarding and road transport, Břeclav · Updated 26. 9. 2026