Road freight has two largely separate equipment worlds. European trailers are built around the 13.6 metre curtainsider and the euro pallet; North American trailers around the 53 foot dry van and the GMA pallet. Quoting one from the other is the fastest way to a load that will not fit.
Figures below are typical for standard equipment. Internal dimensions vary by manufacturer and body type, and weight limits vary by country, state, axle configuration and permit. Confirm with your carrier before planning to the limit.
European trailers
| Type | Typical internal L x W x H | Euro pallets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard curtainsider / tautliner | 13.6 x 2.45 x 2.70 m | 33 | The European default. Side loading as well as rear |
| Mega trailer | 13.6 x 2.45 x 3.00 m | 33 | Extra internal height for light bulky cargo; lower deck height |
| Box / dry van | 13.6 x 2.45 x 2.70 m | 33 | Rear loading only, more secure |
| Reefer semi-trailer | 13.3 x 2.45 x 2.60 m | ~32-33 | Insulation costs internal space |
| Rigid truck | 7.2 x 2.45 x 2.70 m | ~18 | Urban and regional delivery |
| Container chassis | Carries 20ft, 40ft or 45ft | — | For containerised moves to and from port |
A standard trailer takes 33 euro pallets (1200 x 800 mm) in a single layer, or 26 industrial pallets (1200 x 1000 mm). Gross combination weight is commonly limited to 40 tonnes, with higher allowances in some countries for intermodal container movements — which typically leaves a payload in the region of 24 tonnes.
North American trailers
| Type | Typical internal L x W x H | GMA pallets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53ft dry van | 52.5 x 8.2 x 9.0 ft | 26 single-stacked | The North American default |
| 48ft dry van | 47.5 x 8.2 x 9.0 ft | 24 | Older standard, still common |
| 53ft reefer | ~52 x 8.0 x 8.5 ft | ~24-26 | Insulation reduces internal space |
| Flatbed | 48 or 53 ft deck | — | Side and crane loading; cargo must be tarped and secured |
| Step deck | Split-level deck | — | For cargo too tall for a flatbed |
| Lowboy | Very low deck height | — | Machinery and over-height loads |
The federal gross vehicle weight limit on US interstates is commonly 80,000 lb, with axle limits that bind before the total does. Practical payload for a 53ft van is typically around 42,000 to 45,000 lb depending on tractor and trailer weight.
The limit that binds first
Almost every road load hits one of three ceilings, and knowing which one governs tells you what to fix:
- Floor space — you run out of pallet positions. Fix by improving pallet configuration, not by stacking blindly.
- Height — you cannot double-stack. Often the real constraint, and the reason mega trailers exist.
- Weight — dense cargo hits the axle limit with the trailer half empty. Nothing to fix; you need more trucks.
Work out which applies with the truck load calculator and the pallet calculator. If density is your issue, the freight density calculator also tells you how road and LTL pricing will treat the load.
FTL or LTL?
Full truckload buys the whole vehicle: one pickup, one delivery, no handling in between. Less-than-truckload buys space on a shared vehicle, which is cheaper for small volumes but involves terminal handling at each transfer — more touches, more transit time, more damage risk.
The crossover is usually somewhere around a third to a half of the trailer, but it moves with lane and season. LTL pricing keys off density and class, so light bulky freight prices badly — see LTL freight quotes explained.
Before you book
- State pallet dimensions, count and total height, not just weight and CBM.
- Say whether pallets are stackable. This changes the vehicle and the price more than almost anything else.
- Confirm loading method — rear only, side, or crane. It decides the trailer type.
- Check access at both ends — dock, tail lift, forklift, or none of the above.
- Book delivery slots early where the consignee requires them, see delivery appointment scheduling.
Post your pallet specification or find road freight providers on your lane.
