Vehicle & transport solutions
18 Tonne Rigid Lorry Transport
When a 7.5 tonne vehicle is too small but site access rules out an articulated lorry, the 18 tonne rigid is the answer: up to 14 pallets and a nine tonne payload on a vehicle that can still turn into most industrial units. Johnson's Haulage arranges 18 tonne work throughout the UK.
Specification
Typical 18 tonne rigid capacity
- Typical capacity
- 14 pallets
- Payload
- up to 9,000 kg
- Load length
- 7.3 m
- Load width
- 2.4 m
- Load height
- 2.5 m
Vehicles are supplied through Johnson's Haulage's approved carrier network. Images are representative of the vehicle type rather than owned assets.
Best suited to
What this vehicle is used for
- Heavy palletised loads with restricted site access
- Part loads too big for a 7.5 tonne rigid
- Manufacturing and construction supply runs
- Regional distribution with several drops
Payload where access is limited
The 18 tonne rigid carries roughly three times the payload of a 7.5 tonne vehicle while remaining a single unit — no trailer to manoeuvre. That makes it the standard choice for heavy goods going into sites with a yard but no space for an artic to reverse.
Part loads and shared capacity
Not every consignment fills a vehicle. Where you have eight or ten pallets, we can arrange the movement as a part load, sharing the vehicle with compatible freight to reduce the cost while keeping the transit direct.
Loading, securing and compliance
Loads are secured to DVSA load-securing guidance, and carriers appointed for 18 tonne work hold a valid operator's licence and appropriate goods-in-transit cover, which we verify as part of onboarding to our approved network.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets fit on an 18 tonne lorry?
Around 14 standard pallets, with a payload of up to approximately 9,000 kg depending on the vehicle and body type.
What is the difference between an 18 tonne rigid and an artic?
An 18 tonne rigid is a single unit carrying around 14 pallets; an articulated unit and trailer carries up to 26 pallets but needs far more space to manoeuvre and turn.
Can an 18 tonne vehicle be booked for a single drop?
Yes. Dedicated single-drop work is common where timing or load security matters more than cost per pallet.
Do you arrange 18 tonne vehicles for construction sites?
Yes, including sites with FORS or CLOCS requirements — tell us the site standard at booking so we appoint a compliant carrier.
Need this vehicle for a job?
Send us the collection and delivery postcodes, weight and dimensions and our Stockport planning team will confirm the right vehicle and a price.