Why are pallets 48x40

Our DC runs mostly 48x40 GMA pallets, and I’ve heard it traces back to WWII railcar sizing — anyone know the real origin and whether the footprint was about forklift tine spacing or box-stacking efficiency? I’m asking because it changes aisle math and safe turn radius; on a Crown reach we keep about 3 inches clearance per side in a 96-inch bay, and those oddball 42x42s always mess the inventory count and rack stops.

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story says it’s mostly a grocery‑cube decision — 48x40 optimized case patterns in 96-inch trailers/railcars and the forks didn’t write the rules. For your aisle math, use the Crown reach’s Right Angle Stack spec and set a separate slotting profile for 42x42s so WMS keeps them to wider or end bays. Quick reference: Pallet - Wikipedia.

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