Truck / Road Vehicle Types and Dimensions
Vehicle types (typical values)
| Vehicle | Internal dimensions L × W × H (m) | Volume (m³) | Payload | Pallet capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard curtainsider truck (semi-trailer, tautliner) | 13,6 × 2,45–2,48 × 2,60–2,75 | ~85–92 | ~24 t | 33 EUR / 26 industrial |
| Mega trailer (low-deck) | 13,6 × 2,45–2,48 × ~2,95–3,00 | ~100 | ~24 t (slightly less on some models) | 33 EUR / 26 industrial |
| Refrigerated truck (reefer) | ~13,3–13,4 × 2,46 × 2,50–2,65 | ~82–88 | ~20–22 t | 33 EUR / 26 industrial |
| Box truck (closed body) | ~13,6 × 2,45 × 2,60–2,70 | ~86–90 | ~24 t | 33 EUR / 26 industrial |
| Open / platform / lowbed trailer | 13,6 m platform; lowbed offers a height advantage (low deck) | – | 24–60 t+ (lowbed with special permit) | Out-of-gauge cargo, machinery, construction equipment |
| Jumbo / road train (truck + trailer) | 2 × ~7,7 × 2,45 × ~3,0 | ~110–120 | ~22–24 t | ~36–38 EUR (2 × 18–19) |
| Rigid truck (8×4) | ~8–10 m body (depending on model) | ~45–60 | ~15–20 t | ~18–24 EUR |
| Light van / panel van | ~3–4,5 × 1,7–1,8 × 1,7–1,9 | ~10–15 | ~1–1,5 t | 4–6 EUR |
Legal limits (general)
- EU (Directive 96/53/EC): Maximum gross weight of a tractor + semi-trailer combination with 5 or more axles is 40 tonnes (44 tonnes for intermodal transport of 40' containers); maximum width 2,55 m (2,60 m for refrigerated vehicles); maximum length 16,50 m for articulated vehicles and 18,75 m for truck-trailer (road train) combinations. Height is not subject to a mandatory upper limit at EU level; most countries apply 4,00 m.
- Türkiye (Highway Traffic Regulation): Maximum gross weight of a tractor + semi-trailer combination is generally 40 tonnes (depending on the number of axles and axle load), maximum height 4,00 m, width 2,55 m (2,60 m for refrigerated vehicles).
- Axle load and gross weight rules in the destination country (e.g. Gulf countries) may differ; they should be confirmed with the haulier for each route.
Loading meter (LDM)
- 1 LDM is the area used over 1 meter of length across the full width of a truck trailer (~2,4 m) (≈ 2,4 m²). A standard truck = 13,6 LDM.
- Formula (for non-stackable cargo):
LDM = (length m × width m) / 2,4 - 1 EUR pallet (1,2 × 0,8 m) ≈ 0,4 LDM; 1 industrial pallet (1,2 × 1,0 m) ≈ 0,5 LDM.
- In groupage transport, the price is often based on whichever is greater of weight, volume and LDM (typical equivalence: 1 LDM ≈ 1.750–1.850 kg; varies by haulier).
Transport modes and documents
- FTL (Full Truck Load): The entire vehicle is allocated to a single shipper; faster and without transshipment.
- LTL / groupage (Less than Truck Load): Cargo from several shippers is consolidated in one vehicle; transit time may be longer due to warehouse transfers.
- CMR consignment note: The road transport document issued under the Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR Convention, 1956); the carrier's liability (as a general rule limited to 8,33 SDR per kg gross) is governed by this convention. The CMR is not a negotiable document and does not represent title to the goods.
- TIR carnet (TIR Karnesi): A document under the UN TIR Convention (1975) that allows goods in a customs-sealed vehicle to pass through transit countries without depositing a guarantee for customs duties. In Türkiye it is issued by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) and is linked to the IRU system.
- ATA carnet (ATA Karnesi): An international customs document used for the temporary admission of goods such as trade fair items, samples and professional equipment; in Türkiye it is issued by TOBB and authorized chambers. It is not used for commercial shipments intended for sale.
- Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off): Sea transport in which trucks or trailers drive on and off the vessel on their own wheels. Common on European routes from Türkiye to Italy (Trieste) and France (Toulon/Sète), and in the Black Sea. It can be accompanied (with driver) or unaccompanied (trailer only).
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Sources
- ICC – Incoterms® 2020: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/
- ICC – Incoterms rules history and overview: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/
- ICC – UCP 600 / Documentary credits: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/trade-finance/
- Hapag-Lloyd – Container Specification (PDF): https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/content/dam/website/downloads/press_and_media/publications/15211_Container_Specification_engl_Gesamt_web.pdf
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Standard High Cube: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-standard-high-cube.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Standard: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-standard.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Flatrack: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-flatrack-high-cube.html
- Hapag-Lloyd – 40' Open Top: https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/cargo-fleet/container/40-open-top-high-cube.html
- ISO 668 – Series 1 freight containers: https://www.iso.org/standard/76912.html
- IMO – SOLAS Verified Gross Mass: https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/Verification-of-the-gross-mass.aspx
- IATA – Air Cargo / e-AWB / ULD: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/
- IATA – Dangerous Goods Regulations: https://www.iata.org/en/publications/dgr/
- IPPC – ISPM 15: https://www.ippc.int/en/publications/640/
- EPAL – Euro pallet specifications: https://www.epal-pallets.org/
- EU Directive 96/53/EC (vehicle weights and dimensions): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:31996L0053
- UNECE – CMR Convention: https://unece.org/transport/road-transport
- IRU – TIR system: https://www.iru.org/what-we-do/facilitating-trade-and-transit/tir
- TOBB – TIR and ATA carnets: https://www.tobb.org.tr/
- Kuehne+Nagel – Incoterms 2020 overview: https://www.kuehne-nagel.com/us/how-to/customs-clearance/incoterms
- Wikipedia – Incoterms (for general cross-checking): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incoterms