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
Let the job, not the headline size, guide your choice of truck. Ask about gross weight, body length, whether a tail lift is needed, load security, turning space and whether timed delivery windows affect which vehicle can be supplied. The range on offer 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, depending on dates, driver details and availability. Make, model, transmission, seats, payload and licence position are all confirmed at quote stage, so treat the listed vehicles as a guide to the kind of hire available, not as a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Listing Bulky Equipment Before You Call
Start by writing down every piece of equipment you expect to move, along with its dimensions and any details that affect how it travels. Note the length, width and height of each item, whether it comes apart, and whether the manufacturer states a packed size that differs from its assembled one. If pallets are involved, record how many there are and whether they are standard or non-standard sizes. Keep this list to hand when you request a quote, because the team will want to match the load to an appropriate body type. It is also worth noting which items could be left behind or sent separately if space becomes a consideration, and which dates are fixed rather than flexible, so you can discuss alternatives if your first choice is not workable.
Building a Load Inventory for the Hire
A load inventory is simply a written record of everything going on the truck, and it is easiest to build one room by room or job by job. Count boxes rather than estimating them, and note anything unusually shaped, such as ladders, sheet materials or machinery guards. Record the condition of valuable items and photograph anything you would want documented before collection. If some goods are destined for a customer or site rather than your own premises, add the recipient's name and contact number beside each entry, so you can coordinate timings with them directly. Finally, write down any access constraints at each stop, such as gate widths or opening hours, and bring your questions about body type and vehicle categories into the same conversation when you request a quote.
Last checks before booking
Before your hire is confirmed, go over the key points: whether the vehicle is available, driver requirements, mileage, insurance, delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for. For truck hire, also establish whether the work involves pallet freight, site access, use of a tail lift, timed drops, long-distance mileage or any driver and operator checks before anything is agreed. A useful request gives the date, length of hire, rough route, delivery or pickup address, expected passengers or load, and any special requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.