Truck transport means moving goods on an articulated lorry whose semi-trailer takes 33 euro pallets, 13.6 loading metres and roughly 24 tonnes. Knapek Spedition, a freight forwarder in Břeclav, arranges full truckloads, part loads and groupage across the Czech Republic and Slovakia and to and from 23 European countries. During office hours you get a quote within 30 minutes, and a suitable truck is usually available within 24 hours.
We arrange full truckloads in international and domestic road freight B2B for manufacturers, distributors and construction firms, choosing the right carrier from over 500 vetted partners.
What does truck transport involve?
In everyday freight language a truck is the 40-tonne combination: a tractor unit pulling a three-axle semi-trailer with a 13.6 × 2.45 m deck. For larger volumes over longer distances it is the most economical option on the road, since driver time, fuel and tolls are spread across many pallets. Typical shippers include manufacturers sending finished products to customers, wholesalers replenishing warehouses, suppliers of building materials, furniture, paper or beverages.
We have operated as a forwarder since 2011 and work with a network of more than 500 vetted contracted carriers. For every lane we choose a partner who runs it regularly, and we follow the shipment until unloading is confirmed. The difference between arranging and performing carriage is explained under road freight and forwarding.
Which trailer types can we arrange for your truck transport?
Deck length and width are almost identical across trailers. What changes is the internal height, how the trailer is loaded and how well it protects goods from moisture, dust or temperature. For more detail, see vehicle and trailer types.
| Trailer | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Curtainsider (tautliner) | 33 euro pallets, 13.6 ldm, approx. 24 t | The all-rounder: rear, side and top loading |
| Mega trailer | 33 euro pallets, about 100 m³, inner height around 3 m | Light, bulky freight such as insulation, furniture, packaging or automotive parts |
| Box trailer | 33 euro pallets, rigid walls | Goods sensitive to damp and dust, lockable cargo space |
| Reefer | 33 euro pallets, adjustable temperature | Food, flowers and other perishables, see temperature-controlled transport |
| Flatbed | 13.6 m open deck | Steel, construction elements and long items lifted by crane |
To find out how much space your goods need, use the loading metre calculator. One euro pallet equals 0.4 ldm, so ten pallets placed one behind another fill about 4 metres of the deck.
Full truckload, part load or groupage: which one pays off?
A standard trailer holds 33 euro pallets measuring 120 × 80 cm. Yet a full truckload (FTL) often makes sense well before every slot is taken. Once your freight covers most of the deck or comes close to the weight limit, booking the whole truck usually costs less than splitting it into smaller consignments. It also travels direct, with no transhipment and fixed collection and delivery times.
| Option | Typical volume | Advantage | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groupage | from 1 pallet | You pay only for the space used | Routed via a depot, longer transit |
| Part load | a few loading metres | Direct run without transhipment, priced per ldm | Trailer is shared, possibly one extra stop |
| Full truckload (FTL) | 33 pallets, 13.6 ldm, approx. 24 t | Whole trailer reserved for you, precise planning | Ideal for large volumes or heavy goods |
Smaller quantities are best sent as pallet shipping. If a few pallets are urgent, express delivery by van is quicker. Where the line between a van and an articulated lorry lies is discussed in van or truck.
Road haulage across Europe: how long does it take?
We arrange both exports and imports, and the transit times below apply in either direction. They are counted from loading to unloading on regularly served lanes. The confirmed schedule is stated in every quote, and all countries are listed on the transit times page.
| Destination | Usual transit | Note |
|---|---|---|
| truck transport to Slovakia | up to 1 day | Western Slovakia often same day |
| haulage to Austria | up to 1 day | Vienna usually the same day |
| full loads to Germany | 1–2 days | Bavaria and Saxony by the next day, Sunday driving ban |
| freight to Poland | 1–2 days | Silesia reached very quickly |
| road freight to Slovenia | 1–2 days | Routed via Austria |
| the Netherlands and Belgium | up to 2 days | Ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp |
| trucking to Hungary | 2–3 days | Győr and Budapest faster |
| shipping to Italy | 2–3 days | The north is quicker than the south |
| transport to France | 2–3 days | Allow for the weekend driving ban |
| Sweden | 2–3 days | Øresund Bridge or ferry |
| Spain and Portugal | 3–4 days | Catalonia in about 3 days |
For deliveries inside the country, domestic transport reaches any address in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, typically by the next day. More destinations are covered on the international road freight page.
Loading and unloading: what should you prepare?
Before booking, check these points:
- Dock: box trailers and reefers load from the rear, ideally from a dock at deck height.
- Side loading: on a curtainsider the curtain slides back, so a forklift on firm ground is enough.
- Crane loading: long or heavy items go by crane onto a flatbed or into a trailer with a sliding roof.
- Time slots: many warehouses accept trucks only in a booked slot, so send us the booking or reference number.
- Documents: cross-border freight travels with a CMR consignment note and a delivery note or invoice; goods moving within the EU need no customs clearance.
- Securing the load: straps, anti-slip mats or load bars are required, and pallets should be firmly stretch-wrapped.
Many countries restrict heavy goods vehicles at weekends and on public holidays, see the overview of truck driving bans.
How much does truck transport cost?
A fixed rate card would be misleading, because two routes of the same length can be priced very differently. That is why every quote is calculated for the specific shipment. The main factors are:
- Distance and route: kilometres form the base, and tolls for every country crossed are already included.
- Direction and backhaul: where carriers easily find a return load, the rate tends to be lower than for remote regions.
- Timing: loading tomorrow or on a Friday afternoon costs more than a transport planned a few days ahead.
- Trailer type: reefers, mega trailers and flatbeds are sourced differently from a standard curtainsider.
- Loading conditions: multiple pick-up or drop points, long waiting times or hand loading add effort.
- Volume and weight: a full truckload is priced per vehicle, a part load per loading metre.
For a closer look at pricing, read transport costs explained.
How to book truck transport
- Send the collection and delivery locations; postcode and country are enough.
- State the number of pallets or loading metres, the weight and any non-standard dimensions.
- Give the preferred date, warehouse opening hours and whether a dock is available.
- You receive a quote within 30 minutes during office hours.
- Once you confirm, we arrange the right truck, usually within 24 hours, and pass on the plate number and driver contact.
- After unloading you get the signed CMR as proof of delivery.
Work it out:How many pallets fit in a truck – calculator
Running the same lane every week? We agree fixed loading days and steady capacity – regular transport, or simply contact us.
Related guides: What is a loading metre · Truck driving bans · Parcel, pallet or truck?