Details to confirm before a truck or lorry quote
Describe the load by weight, dimensions and packing, whether palletised, loose or crated. Ask the recipient whether unloading will be by forklift, at a loading dock or by hand, and whether their site has height, length or weight limits for delivery vehicles. Provide driver licence details and say whether the hire is for business use, so the team can confirm driver and operator requirements with you before booking.
Picking a suitable truck
Which commercial vehicle suits you depends on the size of the load, any route restrictions and who will be driving. The smaller 3.5T options can suit many bulky moves, whereas 7.5T and heavier vehicles need closer checks on entitlement, operator requirements and delivery access. Subject to dates, driver details and availability, the range includes the Ford Luton 3.5 Tonne Box with Tail Lift, 3.5 Tonne Tipper Transit Truck, 3.5 Tonne Recovery Truck, 7.5 Tonne Box Truck With Tail Lift and 7.5 Tonne Curtain Side Truck. Because the exact make, model, transmission, seats, payload and licence position are confirmed at the quote stage, use the vehicle examples as a guide to the type of hire on offer rather than as a guaranteed booking of a specific model.
Measuring Your Load Before You Enquire
Before requesting a truck, decide exactly what you will be carrying and take measurements of the longest, widest and tallest pieces. A tape measure and a few minutes noting figures down can save a lot of back-and-forth later. Record each item's dimensions separately rather than estimating the whole load as one block, and weigh or estimate the heavier items if you can. Note whether anything is a single awkward shape or whether the load consists of many uniform pieces, since this affects how you describe it. If pallets are involved, count them and note their footprint. Once you have these figures, pass them to the team alongside your preferred dates so the vehicle class can be checked against what you actually need to move, rather than a rough guess.
Writing Down Site Access Details
If your delivery or collection point has particular features, it is worth capturing them in writing before you speak to the team. Note the opening hours of any business premises involved, the name and phone number of the person receiving goods, and any instructions they have given about where vehicles should go. Ask your contact at the destination about gate widths, height barriers, loading bays or narrow approaches, and record their answers rather than relying on memory. If the site needs advance notice of arrivals, add that requirement to your notes. When you request a quote, include these details together with your route and timings. Questions about the destination itself are best answered by the site contact, but passing their information on helps the hire team see the full picture.
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Last checks before booking
Before the hire is confirmed, check the main details: availability of the vehicle, what is required of drivers, mileage, insurance, delivery or collection arrangements and any extras requested. Weight, body style, mileage, cross-border use, driver status and commercial purpose can all alter truck terms, so these points should be checked before a vehicle is reserved. When making a request, include the date, how long you need the vehicle, the approximate route, the delivery or pickup address, the expected passengers or load, and any special requirements that could affect which vehicle is suitable.