Tata Ace
Live rate at booking
Book Tata AceLeather, airport cargo and trade stock
Pallavaram has been tied to leather for decades, with tanneries around Pallavaram and Chromepet feeding a belt that runs west through Ranipet, Ambur and Vaniyambadi. Semi-finished hides, finished leather rolls, chemicals for the tanning process and shoe components move along that belt in small lots, often 300 kg to a tonne at a time. Add the airport next door, where consignments land and need to go upcountry, and the GST Road traders, and you have steady demand for a vehicle smaller than an Eicher.
A mini truck on rent in Pallavaram through TruckGuru is a Tata Ace (also called Chota Hathi) with driver, booked for one consignment, going to a receiver at least 100 km away. City drops are not something we take.
The leather belt lanes
Ranipet is about 115 km along the Bangalore highway and Ambur about 190 km; for both, same-day delivery possible if the truck loads early; otherwise next day. Vaniyambadi, a little further at about 205 km, is usually 1 day. These are short runs, and most units want the goods the same day, so a morning loading matters. The exit from Pallavaram onto the Tambaram-Maduravoyal bypass is usually quicker than going through the city, and that is the route drivers prefer.
Leather and chemicals have a smell and sometimes leak. Declare the cargo type at booking. Some vehicle owners will not take wet-blue hides or tanning chemicals, and we would rather match you with one who will than have a vehicle refuse at your gate.
Southbound: Puducherry, Trichy, Madurai
The other big direction is south down GST Road. Truck freight rates are not fixed. What a load costs depends on the route, vehicle type, load capacity needed, cargo, pickup date and how many trucks are running that lane that week. Around Pongal, south Tamil Nadu lanes get busy and small vehicles book out, so reserve a few days ahead in January. The fares below are per trip, with toll included.
Indicative Ace trip fares from south Chennai
| Route | Distance | Ace / Dost / Pickup (up to 1,100 kg) |
| Chennai to Puducherry | about 150 km | Rs.3,900 - Rs.4,400 |
| Chennai to Trichy | about 330 km | Rs.8,600 - Rs.9,600 |
| Chennai to Madurai | about 460 km | Rs.12,000 - Rs.13,300 |
Indicative fares, checked September 2026. Freight rates move with route, vehicle type, cargo, date and availability. Confirm the current rate at booking.
Transit: Puducherry (about 150 km), same-day delivery possible if the truck loads early, otherwise next day; Trichy (about 330 km) and Madurai (about 460 km), usually within 1 day, often an evening dispatch for a next-morning unload.
Vehicle size, simply
Standard Ace: Up to 1,100 kg. Closed-body Bada Dost: up to 1.5 ton, and the right pick for finished leather, garments or anything from the airport that arrived in cartons. Heavier than that, go to a 14FT Eicher at 3.5 ton; the Eicher rental page has the options. The Mini truck on rent page covers the vehicle in more detail.
Booking and what you arrange
Book on the website or the TruckGuru app and we call back within 30 minutes during working hours (Mon-Sat 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM, Sun 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM). You arrange loading and unloading labour, and transit insurance if you want it. The consignor or consignee generates the e-way bill for goods worth more than 50,000 rupees. We give a digital Lorry Receipt at loading, GPS tracking till delivery and a GST invoice after. More vehicles are listed at hire truck in Chennai.
Pallavaram shippers ask
900 kg finished leather to Ambur, can go tomorrow 7 AM?
Usually yes if you book today during working hours. Ask for a closed-body Ace. Ambur is about 190 km, so same-day delivery possible if the truck loads early; otherwise next day.
Will you take wet-blue hides?
Declare it at booking. Some vehicle owners accept it with proper sheeting and some do not; we confirm before dispatch.
I have cartons arriving at the airport cargo terminal. Can the Ace pick up from there?
Yes, if the destination is over 100 km away. Share the terminal details and your clearance time so the driver arrives when the goods are ready.
Can you deliver to Guindy or T Nagar?
No. We only book intercity trips over 100 km.
Are the Trichy and Madurai fares fixed?
No. They are indicative, checked September 2026. Rates are not fixed; confirm the current rate at booking.
Is it only my load in the vehicle?
Yes. One vehicle per consignment, with only your goods on it.
Who loads and unloads?
You arrange the labour at both ends. The driver ties and covers the load.
Do I need an e-way bill?
For goods worth more than 50,000 rupees, the consignor or consignee generates one before the trip.
Can I send my parents' things to Madurai?
Our trucks mostly carry business loads. For a one-off household move to another city, we can supply the truck and driver. Packing, loading and unloading are arranged by you.
What are the payment terms?
Payment is split into three parts: Booking Amount at booking confirmation, 90% at loading once the truck reaches the pickup location, and the remaining Balance at delivery before unloading begins. Accepted: NEFT, IMPS, UPI (PhonePe, GPay), and major debit and credit cards. No cash payments accepted.
How do I track the Ace?
GPS tracking from dispatch to delivery, visible on the app.
