A standard 13.6 m curtainsider semi-trailer takes 33 euro pallets (120×80 cm) in a single layer, or 34 with a tight layout. It takes 26 industrial pallets (120×100). If the goods can be double-stacked and the total weight is no more than 25 t, up to 66 euro pallets fit.
Standard trailer dimensions
In international road freight a “truck” usually means a 13.6 m curtainsider semi-trailer (Standard Tautliner). Internal dimensions vary by a few centimetres between manufacturers, but these figures are a good guide:
| Loading length | 13.6 m |
|---|---|
| Internal width | about 2.45–2.48 m |
| Loading height | 2.7 m (about 3 m for mega trailers) |
| Volume | about 90 m³ |
| Payload | up to 25 t (our trucks) |
| Loading | from the side, top and rear |
Table: how many pallets fit in a 13.6 m trailer
| Pallet type | Size, cm | Single layer | LDM per pallet | Double-stacked* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet (EUR, EPAL) | 120×80 | 33, or 34 with a tight layout | 0.4 | up to 66–68 |
| Industrial (Finnish) | 120×100 | 26 | 0.5 | up to 52 |
| US pallet | 121.9×101.6 (48×40 inches) | 26 | ≈ 0.52 | up to 52 |
| Half pallet | 80×60 | up to 68 | 0.2 | — |
* If each piece is no taller than about 1.35 m, the packaging can take stacking, and the total weight stays within 25 t.
33 or 34 euro pallets: how they are laid out
The usual layout is 11 rows of three pallets placed lengthwise. They take up 13.2 m, leaving 40 cm free at the end.
If the last two rows are turned crosswise, two pallets each, the length comes to exactly 13.6 m and 34 pallets fit in:
This layout needs the full 13.6 m internal length and pallets without overhanging goods. That is why many carriers promise 33. Our trailers take 34, but if your pallets are wider than standard or the goods overhang, we will tell you honestly that fewer will fit.
What limits the load besides space
Weight
25 t across 33 pallets averages about 750 kg per pallet. If a pallet weighs 1,000 kg (water, tiles, metal), only 25 pallets will fit, not 33: the payload runs out before the space does.
Height and stacking
The loading height is 2.7 m. Two layers are possible only if each piece is up to about 1.35 m tall and the packaging can bear the weight of the pallet on top. Fragile or soft goods (glass, film-wrapped furniture, sacks) are usually not double-stacked.
Axle load distribution
Heavy pallets cannot all go in one part of the trailer: axle loads must stay within the limits. If your cargo is heavy and uneven, send us the weight of each piece in advance and we will plan the layout.
For comparison: other vehicles and containers
| Vehicle | Body length | Euro pallets, single layer |
|---|---|---|
| Curtainsider semi-trailer | 13.6 m | 33–34 |
| Mega trailer | 13.6 m, height about 3 m | 33–34 (more volume) |
| Truck up to 7.5 t | 6–7.2 m | 15–18 |
| 20 ft container | 5.9 m | 11 |
| 40 ft container | 12 m | 23–24 |
How to calculate your load
If you have fewer pallets than a full truck, the price is usually based on loading metres (LDM). The formula and examples are explained in “Loading metre (LDM): what it is and how to calculate it”. And if you are unsure whether to book a whole truck, read our FTL vs LTL comparison.
Questions and answers
How many euro pallets fit in a 13.6 m trailer?
33 in a single layer is the standard layout. With a tight layout using two crosswise rows, 34.
How many 120×100 pallets fit in a truck?
26 in a single layer: 13 rows of two pallets.
Can 66 pallets be loaded?
Yes, if the pallets can be double-stacked (each up to about 1.35 m tall, with packaging that can take the load) and the total weight does not exceed 25 t.
How much does a full load weigh?
In our curtainsider, up to 25 t. Heavy cargo may hit the weight limit before the space runs out.
Writes for shippers about trip planning, truck loading and paperwork.