Transporting firewood: how much you can really carry

Transporting firewood and estimating the weight

Transporting firewood is a classic case where you run out of payload before you run out of space. A stacked cubic metre of wood looks unassuming on the pile, but you notice it in the van immediately. Most people overestimate the volume and underestimate the weight.

Wet wood weighs much more

Freshly felled wood contains a large amount of water. The same amount of seasoned wood is therefore noticeably lighter. If you're buying wet wood to dry out, expect less of it to fit in the van than the volume would suggest.

Hardwood is heavier than softwood. Beech and oak are considerably heavier for the same volume than spruce or pine. So when buying, ask not only about the quantity but also about the species and how long the wood has been drying.

The payload is a binding limit

Depending on the model, the payload usually ranges between 1 100 and 1 450 kg. It's not a rough guide — an overloaded vehicle brakes worse and handles worse, and the driver is responsible for its condition. Driving is governed by the road traffic rules, and checks for overloading are commonplace.

If you're not sure, make two trips. Mileage within the Czech Republic is unlimited and extra kilometres aren't charged, so a second trip costs you nothing extra. You'll find the payload figures for each van in our fleet.

Arrange loading in advance

Ask the seller whether they'll load it for you. Sawmills and forestry offices usually have a loader available; private sellers usually don't. Loading a cubic metre of wood by hand takes one person quite a lot of time and effort — with two it's half the work.

Also ask about the length of the logs. Metre-long pieces load differently from 30 cm split logs for the fireplace, and they take up more room in the cargo area because they're harder to stack. If you have a choice, shorter logs work out better for the trip.

Also agree on an exact arrival time. Forestry offices and sawmills have limited opening hours and can only load you at certain times. A phone call the day before saves you a wasted trip.

Allow for the time

Loading and unloading take longer than the journey itself. With wood, the whole pile is shifted by hand twice, which is the most demanding part of the day. So plan your booking with time to spare and arrange a helper — you can collect the van non-stop, so you can set off early in the morning.

Loading, securing and driving

Line the cargo area

Logs have sharp edges and crumbling bark. Before you start loading, lay an old tarpaulin or cardboard on the floor. It'll save you cleaning up and protect the surface from scratches.

Protect the sides with boards or blankets. While driving, the logs shift and knock against the panelling. A few pieces of cardboard leaned against the side of the van is a five-minute solution.

Stack it, don't tip it in

Stacked wood travels better than loose wood. Lay the logs lengthways and arrange them in layers. You'll save space and the load will stay in place instead of rolling forward every time you brake.

Put the weight over the rear axle. All the wood piled up right at the back lifts the front wheels and makes the van unstable. On the other hand, putting all the weight right behind the cab loads the front axle unnecessarily.

Finally, strap the load down. The top layer of logs always slides off when you brake hard. A strap over the pile takes a minute and replaces all improvisation.

Only load to a height you can keep stable. Piling logs up to the ceiling looks efficient, but when you open the rear doors they'll come tumbling down on you. Leave free space at the top and level the top layer so that it holds on its own.

If you're carrying a chainsaw too

Transport a chainsaw with an empty tank. Petrol tools in an enclosed cargo area aren't a good idea — fuel leaks and the fumes have nowhere to go. Also store the saw with the bar cover on and secure it so it doesn't slide around.

Driving and returning the van

A loaded van drives differently. A longer braking distance, slower acceleration and a more sensitive response in bends. All the vans have a manual gearbox and run on diesel, so on hills be ready to change down more readily.

Go into bends more slowly. A heavy load low down on the floor behaves more calmly than one piled up high, but even so a fully loaded van leans more than you're used to in a car.

Sweep the van out after unloading. Bark and sawdust are easy to remove from the floor while they're dry. The vehicle is returned with a full tank to the same location where you picked it up — you can park your own car there free of charge for the duration of the rental. You'll find the details in the FAQ.