Trailer and container sizes
Typical internal dimensions of the vehicles and containers used most in European freight. Always check the exact measurements of the vehicle you are loading, since they vary by manufacturer.
| Vehicle | Length | Width | Height | Euro pallets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tautliner (curtainsider) | 13.60 m | 2.45–2.48 m | about 2.70 m | 33 |
| Mega trailer | 13.60 m | 2.45–2.48 m | about 3.00 m | 33 |
| 40 ft container | 12.03 m | 2.35 m | 2.39 m | 24–25 |
| 40 ft high cube container | 12.03 m | 2.35 m | 2.69 m | 24–25 |
| 20 ft container | 5.90 m | 2.35 m | 2.39 m | 11 |
Dimensions are typical internal values. Container door openings are smaller than the inside, so check that tall pieces fit through the doors.
Standard tautliner
The 13.6 m curtainsider is the workhorse of European road freight. Its curtains open along the full length, so pallets can be loaded from the side with a forklift. It typically carries up to about 24 tonnes, depending on the weight of the tractor and trailer.
Mega trailer
A mega trailer has the same floor as a standard trailer but a lower deck, using smaller wheels, which gives around 3 m of internal height. It suits light, bulky goods that can be stacked high.
Shipping containers
Containers are narrower than a road trailer (about 2.35 m inside), so only two Euro pallets fit side by side. Their maximum cargo weight is often limited more by road rules in the country of delivery than by the container itself.
Axle loads and weight distribution
Fitting the floor is only half the job. The weight also has to be spread so that no axle, the kingpin or the tractor's drive axle is overloaded.
- Spread heavy pieces over the length of the load area and keep them near the middle.
- Do not put all the heavy pallets at the front: this overloads the drive axle of the tractor.
- Do not put all the weight at the rear either: this overloads the trailer axles and lightens the steering axle.
- When a trailer is only partly full, place the load so its centre of gravity sits over the right point given by the vehicle's load distribution diagram.
In most EU countries a five-axle tractor and trailer may weigh up to 40 tonnes in international traffic, and some countries, including Belgium, allow more for national transport. Axle limits depend on the number of axles and their spacing, so check the rules that apply to your route and your vehicle's plates.
The load planner on this site does not calculate axle loads. Use it to check the floor space, then distribute the weight following the guidance above.