Why custom exists
PHS notes that no universally accepted standards exist for pallet dimensions. The 48 x 40 GMA is the most common wood pallet in North America and accounts for 30 percent of new wood pallets made in the United States, yet that leaves most of the shapes of industry unserved. Structural steel, composite panels and trailer parts do not stack neatly on it.
What to measure
- The longest and widest dimension of the load, in inches.
- The weight of one loaded unit.
- Where the forks or a pallet jack need to enter.
- Whether the load overhangs and by how much.
- Whether it will be stored on a rack, and the rack opening.
Choices in the build
| Choice | Effect |
|---|---|
| More stringers or blocks | Higher load rating, higher weight |
| Thicker deck boards | Better for point loads, costs more lumber |
| Block instead of stringer | True four-way entry on every side |
| Heat treatment | Required for most export |
Used or new
Odd sizes are rarely available as sorted used stock, so most custom orders are new. The exception is a standard-adjacent size such as 48 x 45 or 48 x 48, which a regular dock may already have on hand. If you are unsure which footprint you really need, the size chart shows six drawn to a common scale.
Ask for a price
Send the dimensions, a weight, a count and how often.
A measuring routine
- Measure the product at its widest point, with packaging.
- Add the overhang you can tolerate, usually none.
- Weigh a loaded unit and note where the weight sits.
- Note whether forks, a jack or a clamp will lift it.
- Photograph the product on a floor with a ruler beside it.
Pictures help more than prose
A sketch on paper with the dimensions written on it is a perfectly good specification. Photograph it and attach it to the request. Where the product is unusual, a photo of it beside a tape measure explains more than a paragraph.
Custom work takes longer to arrange than stock work, so sending the details early gives the best chance of an answer that fits the timeline.