- Plan B: Terraform trucks not unloading usually points to depot range, storage, or capacity.
- Depot distance must match the depot model used by the truck route.
- Storage settings must accept the exact resource carried by the vehicle.
- Available space is required before a depot can receive supplies.
- Multiple depots may be necessary when several lines share the same logistics area.
Plan B: Terraform Trucks Not Unloading: Core Causes
When trucks arrive at a depot but remain beside it, check the logistics connection before rebuilding the route. In Plan B: Terraform, a truck needs a compatible depot within the correct operating distance, and that depot must be configured to receive the resource in the truck’s cargo.
The most common issue is placement. A standard depot needs to be at distance 1 from the stop, while a Depot Mk2 can work at distance 2. If the depot appears visually close but falls outside the required range, the truck may reach the stop without starting the unloading action.
A second issue is depot configuration. The receiving building needs open storage space and must be set to store the resource being delivered. A depot that is full, disabled for that resource, or assigned to another material can leave the truck waiting.
| Symptom | Likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Truck stops beside depot | Depot is out of range | Verify distance from the stop |
| Truck waits with cargo | Resource is not accepted | Check depot storage settings |
| Truck arrives at a full building | No available capacity | Inspect open storage space |
| Several lines slow down | Too few depots or drones | Add capacity to the shared area |
Range
Confirm the depot model matches the required distance from the truck stop.
Resource
Make sure the depot is configured to store the exact material in the truck.
Capacity
Leave enough open space for incoming supplies before dispatching more vehicles.
Pause the line, inspect the truck’s cargo, then compare that resource with the depot’s storage configuration. This separates a range problem from a storage problem quickly.
Check Depot Distance and Route Placement
Distance is the first mechanical check when a truck reaches a stop but does not unload. Place the receiving depot close enough to the stop rather than relying only on visual alignment. The relevant distance depends on the depot tier.
| Depot model | Reported working distance | Placement advice |
|---|---|---|
| Standard depot | 1 distance | Keep it directly within the stop’s short operating range |
| Depot Mk2 | 2 distance | Use the expanded range, but confirm the stop still connects |
| Depot Mk3 | Not specified in the available reference | Test the actual connection before scaling the line |
Follow this placement process:
Select the Receiving Depot
Identify the building intended to receive the truck’s current resource. Do not test a different depot unless it is assigned to the same logistics route.
Verify the Stop Connection
Check that the truck stop and depot are within the appropriate distance for the depot model. If the standard depot is not at distance 1, move the depot or stop closer together.
Test One Delivery
Run a single truck through the route and watch for the unloading action. Testing one vehicle avoids confusing a placement issue with congestion.
Rebuild Only If Needed
If the truck still waits, recheck storage permissions and capacity before deleting the route. Rebuilding the route alone may not fix an incompatible depot.
Use a compact layout around busy production areas. A short connection reduces the chance that trucks stop at a nearby building that looks correct but is not actually linked to the intended depot.
A depot can look adjacent to a truck stop while still failing the required distance check. Confirm the connection using the game’s placement and route indicators.
Configure Storage and Resource Acceptance
After confirming the range, inspect what the depot is allowed to store. The receiving depot must have available space and a storage setup compatible with the truck’s cargo. If the truck carries one resource while the depot is configured for another, unloading will not begin.
Use this comparison while troubleshooting:
| Check | Correct state | Problem state |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo type | Truck carries the resource required by the destination | Cargo does not match the depot’s accepted resource |
| Storage permission | Depot is set to store that resource | Resource is disabled or not selected |
| Available space | Depot has room for incoming supplies | Storage is full or nearly full |
| Destination | Depot belongs to the intended supply chain | Truck is routed to an unsuitable stop |
A useful test is to send a truck with a clearly identified cargo type to a depot configured for that same material. If the truck unloads successfully, the original route likely has a resource assignment or storage setting problem.
Keep receiving depots organized by role:
- Use dedicated storage for frequently delivered materials.
- Avoid mixing unrelated resources when the area is difficult to monitor.
- Check downstream consumption if the depot fills faster than production can use supplies.
- Confirm that the truck route ends at the depot intended for that cargo.
- Recheck settings after replacing, upgrading, or rearranging logistics buildings.
A successful delivery requires three conditions together: the depot is close enough, the resource is accepted, and storage space is available. Check all three before changing production buildings.
Scale Depot Capacity for Busy Lines
A route can work with one truck and still fail under a larger logistics load. Shared depots have limited handling capacity, so multiple lines may need more buildings than a simple one-route test suggests.
Depot Mk2 buildings are reported to support two drones, while Mk3 depots support four. A practical reference point is that a train line may need at least four Mk2 depots to fully load or unload, with additional capacity required when another line runs nearby. Treat this as a scaling guideline rather than a fixed universal requirement.
| Logistics situation | Recommended response | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| One light truck route | Start with one compatible depot | Easy to monitor and test |
| Several trucks on one line | Add storage or handling capacity | Reduces waiting around the depot |
| Train loading or unloading | Consider multiple Mk2 depots | Four Mk2 depots were reported as a practical baseline |
| Two nearby lines | Build beyond the baseline | Shared areas can create extra demand |
| Heavy traffic at one stop | Separate routes where possible | Prevents one queue from blocking other deliveries |
Use the following checklist before expanding:
Truck Unloading Checklist:
- Confirm the depot is within the correct distance for its model
- Verify that the depot accepts the truck's resource
- Check that the destination has available storage space
- Test one truck before returning the full fleet to service
- Add depots when several lines share the same logistics area
For a reliable layout, place receiving depots near the relevant stop, leave room for additional buildings, and avoid forcing several high-volume lines through one narrow transfer point. Expansion is easier when the first depot cluster has space for extra capacity.
Add handling capacity when trucks queue, trains fail to fill or empty efficiently, or a second nearby line increases delivery delays. More vehicles will not solve a saturated depot by themselves.
Troubleshooting Order and FAQ
Use a fixed troubleshooting order so each test answers one question. Start with the physical connection, then inspect the resource assignment, then check capacity and traffic. This approach avoids unnecessary route deletion and makes the cause easier to identify.
| Test order | Action | What the result tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check depot distance | Finds a placement or connection issue |
| 2 | Inspect truck cargo | Identifies the resource that must be accepted |
| 3 | Review depot storage settings | Confirms whether that resource is allowed |
| 4 | Check available space | Finds full or blocked storage |
| 5 | Test traffic and capacity | Reveals congestion or insufficient depot handling |
For additional community context, see the Plan B: Terraform Steam discussion about trucks and depot unloading.
Move the depot into confirmed range, enable the correct resource, clear enough storage space, and test one truck. Only expand the depot network after the basic delivery works.
Q: Why do trucks stop beside a depot in Plan B: Terraform?
The usual causes are incorrect depot distance, unsuitable storage settings, or a destination without available space. Check those conditions in that order.
Q: How close must a standard depot be to the truck stop?
The available guidance states that a standard depot should be at distance 1 from the stop. A Depot Mk2 can use distance 2.
Q: Can a full depot prevent trucks from unloading?
Yes. The receiving depot needs available storage space and must be configured to store the resource carried by the truck.
Q: How many depots should a busy line use?
The required number depends on traffic and line demand. Four Mk2 depots were reported as a practical baseline for fully loading or unloading trains, with more needed for nearby shared lines.