Cargo fit · GMA pallet, 48x40
Will a standard pallet fit in a truck bed?
At 48 × 40 × 6 inches — the answer for every bed size and class of pickup, and what changes when the tailgate comes down.
Standard pallet
48" × 40"
6" tall as loaded
A standard GMA pallet is 48 by 40 inches, so it fits between the wheel wells of a full-size truck with room to spare and sits crosswise in almost any bed.
Every bed size, every class of truck
Length decides whether the tailgate closes. The gap between the wheel wells decides whether it lies on the floor or rides on top of them — which is also what decides whether a tonneau cover can close over it.
| Bed | Full-size pickup | Mid-size pickup | Compact / unibody pickup | Heavy-duty pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short / compact · 61" | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed |
| 5.5 ft bed · 67" | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed |
| 6.5 ft bed · 78.9" | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed |
| 8 ft bed · 97.6" | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed | Yes — lies flat, tailgate closed |
Bed lengths shown are typical for each category. Wheel-well spacing is a class typical — measure your own truck before cutting or buying to size.
Trucks that take a standard pallet flat
These are the trucks with at least one bed that carries it on the floor with the tailgate closed — the only configuration where a cover can also close over it.
Other loads
Same checks, run for the other things people put in a bed.
Standard pallet in a truck bed — frequently asked
Will a Standard pallet fit in a truck bed?
Yes, in the right bed. At 48 by 40 inches it needs a bed of at least 48 inches to travel with the tailgate closed, and it is narrow enough to drop flat onto the bed floor between the wheel wells of a full-size truck. The table on this page works it out for every bed size and class.
What size truck bed do I need for a Standard pallet?
A 5.5 ft bed is enough on length, though an open tailgate adds roughly 20 inches to any of them. Width matters as much: at 40 inches wide it clears the wheel wells of a full-size truck.
How do I secure a Standard pallet in a truck bed?
A standard GMA pallet is 48 by 40 inches, so it fits between the wheel wells of a full-size truck with room to spare and sits crosswise in almost any bed. Strap it at both ends rather than only across the middle, use the factory tie-down points, and flag anything that hangs past the tailgate. If it sits above the bed rails, a tonneau cover will not close over it.
Are these measurements exact?
The Standard pallet dimensions are nominal for the standard version sold in the US, and bed lengths are per model and generation. Bed width and wheel-well spacing are typicals for the truck class, because they vary by a couple of inches between models. Measure your own bed before you rely on any of it.