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.
Fitting the truck to your route
Let the job, not the headline size, guide your truck choice. 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, subject to dates, driver details and availability. The exact make, model, transmission, seats, payload and licence position are confirmed at quote stage, so the vehicle examples should be treated as a guide to the type of hire available rather than a guaranteed reservation of a specific model.
Which site instructions does the driver need?
What exactly should the driver know before arriving at each site? Begin by contacting both the collection and delivery points and asking for their instructions in writing where possible. Record the named contact at each end, a direct phone number, the gate or entrance to use, and any pass or reference required for admission. Note the hours deliveries are accepted, speed limits within the site, one-way systems, and where vehicles should report first. If there is a briefing document or induction requirement for visitors, ask for a copy in advance. Pass the full set of instructions, along with your route and driver details, to the team when you enquire. Keeping the site contacts separate from your own details makes it clear who to call about each part of the movement.
How do you match equipment to the load?
Before requesting a truck, write an inventory of the load and note what handling equipment each part involves. If pallets are included, record their count, approximate dimensions and whether they are stackable; for loose goods, note whether items are boxed, drummed or bundled. Ask the delivery site whether they expect you to supply pallet trucks, straps or covers, or whether such items are normally provided there, and record the answer. Where the load includes machinery or containers with lifting points, describe these in your enquiry rather than assuming the team will know. Any gaps in your information, such as an unknown pallet size, are worth flagging as open questions. Sharing this detail early allows the discussion about body type and terms to start from an accurate picture.
What to confirm on the phone
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.