Sizes, strength and bottoms
What size is a standard gaylord box?
48 x 40 x 36 in is the most common size, sized to a standard 48 x 40 pallet. Heights usually run 24 to 50 in. Footprints of 48 x 48 and 48 x 45 in are also typical. See the size guide and the 48 x 40 x 36 page.
How much weight can a gaylord box hold?
It depends on the maker and the wall count. One distributor lists its triple-wall 48 x 40 x 36 at 1,500 lb, and sellers cite 800 to 3,000 lb across 2- to 5-wall boxes. The stamp on the box governs. See weight capacity.
What is the difference between a full bottom and a partial bottom gaylord?
Full flap bottoms overlap to make a solid base for heavy loads. Partial flaps meet in the middle and rely on a slip sheet or a solid pallet. See bottom styles and slip sheets.
What is a 48 x 45 gaylord and who uses it?
It is a gaylord on a 48 x 45 in footprint. Auto suppliers ship on it because their returnable containers use it, and a backup pack must match. See the 48 x 45 x 40 page.
Are used gaylord boxes as strong as new?
A clean single-trip box can be close to new. Check for a capacity rating and the weight rating before stacking, and remember that damp air and long holds cost corrugated strength. See used vs new.
How high can I stack used gaylord boxes?
It depends on the rated capacity, the condition, humidity and how long the stack sits. Corrugated can lose about half its compression strength at 90% relative humidity, so cut stack heights well below a dry, short-term figure.
Backup packs, selling and recycling
Can a gaylord box stand in for a returnable container when returnables are short?
Yes, as an expendable backup pack, if it matches the returnable's footprint and carries the same standard pack quantity. See covering a returnable shortage.
Who buys used gaylord boxes in Detroit?
Plants, warehouses and suppliers with single-trip empties describe them on the sell page: the size, wall count and how many.
Can I sell gaylord boxes that have printing or old labels on them?
Often yes. Print and old labels do not stop reuse. What counts is dry board, square corners and an intact bottom. See print and labeled boxes.
What happens to a box that is wet or crushed?
It goes out as OCC, old corrugated containers, the recycling grade. See recycling and OCC and bales.
Trailers, names and safety
How many gaylords fit on a 53-foot trailer?
It depends on the footprint, the height and whether they stack. The trailer guide shows the arithmetic for each size so you can check it against your carrier's trailer.
Why is it called a gaylord?
The first bulk bins were made by the Gaylord Container company of St. Louis, and the trade name became the generic word. See why it is called a gaylord.
Is a used gaylord food-grade or UN-rated?
No. A used box is not UN-rated unless certified, and a used corrugated box is not food-grade because of its history. See food, hazmat and used gaylords.
Do gaylord boxes get weaker in the cold?
Cold makes board stiffer and more brittle, and moving corrugated between temperature zones can cause condensation that weakens it. Guidance from the corrugated trade is to store it in heated areas above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.