What type of pallets are best for me?

There are several types of pallets available for anyone who needs to transport goods from one place to the other. Each pallet serves specific purposes because of the way they are designed and built.

If you are confused about which pallet suits your needs, CW Crates & Pallets is here to give you the lowdown on your options. This way, you can decide what is best for you and how we can best help you.

How to identify the right type of pallet

Depending on your product’s weight and size, as well as your transportation goals, the best pallet is the one that perfectly accommodates your needs. Here are some of the ones we have been creating for satisfied customers for more than 60 years to give you a better idea.

Skids

This is merely a generic nickname given to all pallets. A skid is anything to move product on, which gets loaded and unloaded on forklifts to allow for more efficient transportation of many materials.

Skids come primarily in 2-way and 4-way formats, which refers to the amount of openings on the bottom for forklift access. A 2-way skid only has two access points for the forklift, whereas a 4-way skid can be entered on all sides.

While we specialize in custom pallets for many types of products, a 48x40 inch pallet is an industry standard that we also are happy to provide.

Shock Pallets

Though they have the same basic pattern as regular skids, shock pallets include its distinct component – foam shock absorption. There are different densities to build onto the pallet depending on the weight and size of your shipped item. Thus, the denser the foam, the more the item will hold up to absorb the shock of the shipping process.

Shock pallets are especially useful for fragile shipments, such as electronics cabinets, computer servers, and aerospace parts, all with components that need better protection while being transported.

Perimeter Pallets

This type of pallet is much sturdier than a standard skid because of its reinforced perimeter, or outside part. It also includes deck gaps to allow for proper fastening of the shipment, and to prevent parts from falling through the cracks.

If someone doesn’t want a small crate but a pallet still works for their goods, then the perimeter pallet is the right container.

Winged Pallets

This type of pallet is recognizable when the bottom and/or top boards overhang farther than the side runners. These protrusions are adequately called “wings,” which give way for more surface area to hold more units of product.

Thus, winged pallets are among the more versatile containers when it comes to accommodating more weight and size during the entire transportation journey.

Pallets with Lids

A lid on a pallet can be as simple as a piece of OSB or plywood on top of the pallet. This is to prevent items from potentially falling off the pallet. Often lids are set on top of the pallet shipment items and banded to the pallet base.

What if I still need help selecting the right pallet?

If you still don’t know which type of pallet is best for you, please contact us and we’ll be glad to give you a call to better orient you. Or, if you know exactly what you need, you can request a quote online, give us a phone call or send us an email, and we’ll get you going. We are here for you.