Overnight trunking is the backbone of the UK logistics industry; a system that keeps goods moving efficiently while most of us sleep. Pallet networks and logistics members depend on overnight trunking to move palletised freight efficiently between depots, maximise vehicle utilisation, and ensure pallets are ready for next-day delivery across the network.

How Overnight Trunking Works

Overnight trunking refers to the transportation of large volumes of freight between depots and hubs during the night. Once local collections are completed during the day, pallets are consolidated at regional depots. At night, HGV drivers transport these loaded trailers, often double deck trailers, to the Palletways central hub in Fradley, Lichfield.

During the day, our central hub has a steady flow of HGVs entering and leaving. But it becomes a hive of activity after dark. As trailers arrive, palletised freight is unloaded and sorted by our skilled forklift drivers. Pallets are then reloaded onto outbound vehicles according to their destinations, heading to other depots across the UK and Europe.

Thousands of pallets are efficiently sorted by our hub operatives while HGV drivers remain in their cabs. By morning, every shipment is ready to continue its journey to final delivery.

Why Double Deck Trailers Are Used

Double deck trailers are designed to maximise space, allowing twice as many pallets to be transported per journey. This improves efficiency, reduces the number of vehicles on the road, and supports Palletways’ commitment to sustainable logistics.

With the added capacity of double deck trailers, each night’s trunking operation can move thousands of pallets across the country, keeping the network fast, reliable, and environmentally responsible.

Here is Darcica Logistics’ fully electric XD tractor unit which recently completed its first 150 mile round trip to our hub, fully loaded both ways.