Pallet Dimensions

Trailer dimensions

A 53 ft dry van measures about 52 ft 6 in long, 98.5 to 101.5 in wide and 108 to 111 in high inside, depending on the maker, with a rear door about 98 to 99 in wide. Outside it is 53 ft long and built to the 102 in federal width limit, and it typically carries about 44,000 lb.

Checked November 14, 2026 against Wabash, Utility Trailer, Hyundai Translead and FHWA Office of Freight Management and Operations.

Dry vans and reefers

Inside dimensions
Ranges run from the smallest to the largest figure among makers’ spec sheets and carrier guides. Not confirmed means fewer than two sources give the figure.
TrailerInside lengthInside widthInside heightDoor, W × HCapacityTypical payloadSource
ft-ininininft³lb
53 ft dry vanMakers rate payload near 55,000 lb structurally; the 80,000 lb gross limit holds most loads to about 44,000 lb.52′ 5″–52′ 6″15,977–16,002 mm98.5–101.52,502–2,578 mm108–111.252,743–2,826 mm98–99 × 108–110.53,800–4,070about 44,00019,958 kg123456722232425
48 ft dry van47′ 5″–47′ 6″14,453–14,478 mm98–1012,489–2,565 mm108–1102,743–2,794 mm98–98.3 × 110not confirmedabout 45,00020,412 kg8222425
53 ft reeferInsulated walls make it about 4 in narrower inside than a dry van. Makers put an empty reefer near 12,000 lb, so it carries less than a dry van.51′ 6″–52′ 2″15,697–15,900 mm96–97.52,438–2,477 mm103–1082,616–2,743 mmnot confirmed3,700–3,722not confirmed9101112262325

Cite this table: Dry vans and reefers, Pallet Dimensions, checked November 14, 2026, https://palletdimensions.com/trailer-dimensions/#vansDownload CSV

Flatbeds and step decks

Open deck trailers
Freight height is the tallest load that keeps the rig under 13 ft 6 in, the usual state limit; check the route before you load to it.
TrailerDeck lengthWidthDeck heightFreight heightTypical payloadSource
ininlb
48 ft flatbed48 ft10258 to 608 ft 6 innot confirmed13142723
53 ft step deckMakers’ 53 ft sheets give a 40 in loaded lower deck; brokers quote 36 to 42 in across fleets.10 to 12 ft upper, 37 to 42 ft lower102about 60 upper, 36 to 42 lowerabout 10 ft on the lower deck43,000–47,0001516171819272328

Cite this table: Flatbeds and step decks, Pallet Dimensions, checked November 14, 2026, https://palletdimensions.com/trailer-dimensions/#decksDownload CSV

Federal size and weight limits

Interstate system
States set height limits and can set others off the Interstate.
LimitLimitMetricSource
Gross vehicle weightLower where the bridge formula requires it; higher only where grandfathered.80,000 lb36,287 kg2029
Single axle20,000 lb9,072 kg2029
Tandem axle34,000 lb15,422 kg2029
Vehicle widthHawaii allows 108 in. Neither page sets a federal height limit; height is set by each state.102 in259 cm2130

Cite this table: Federal size and weight limits, Pallet Dimensions, checked November 14, 2026, https://palletdimensions.com/trailer-dimensions/#limitsDownload CSV

Rated payload and the payload you can use

Trailer makers publish structural ratings: Utility rates its dry vans for 55,000 lb of payload.6 The federal limit of 80,000 lb covers truck, trailer and freight together, so a loaded 53 ft van usually carries about 44,000 lb.25 A reefer’s heavier body and cooling unit leave it a little less.

What changes the answer

Wall construction
Thin composite and plate walls give the widest vans 101 to 101.5 in inside; other models run narrower, down to about 98.5 in.
Front and rear height
Inside height can differ along the trailer. Wabash lists 110¼ in at the front and 111¼ in at the rear.4
Door frame
The door opening is a few inches narrower and lower than the inside. Check it, not the inside width, for wide freight.
Reefer airflow
A reefer’s usable height is below the air chute and its floor channels, so load to the line marked inside the trailer.

Questions about trailer sizes

What are the inside dimensions of a 53 ft trailer?

About 52 ft 6 in long, 98.5 to 101.5 in wide and 108 to 111 in high, depending on the maker and model.

How wide is a semi trailer?

Federal law allows 102 in outside on the Interstate. Inside, a dry van is 98.5 to 101.5 in wide.

How much weight can a 53 ft trailer carry?

Usually about 44,000 lb of freight, because the 80,000 lb gross limit includes the truck and trailer.

How many pallets fit in a 53 ft trailer?

26 standard pallets loaded straight, or 30 turned. See pallets per trailer.

Sources

  1. Composite dry van, Hyundai Translead. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  2. Dry van brochure, Hyundai Translead. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  3. 53 ft HyCube dry van build sheet, Hyundai Translead (sheet hosted by Hale Trailer). Primary source. Read November 14, 2026. Factory build sheet on a dealer’s server, not the maker’s own site.
  4. DuraPlate dry van product sheet, Wabash. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  5. DuraPlate HD dry van product sheet, Wabash. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  6. Dry van specifications, Utility Trailer. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026. The spec table lists several models; model headers did not survive reading, so some values may belong to one model.
  7. 4000D-X Composite 100 features, Utility Trailer. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  8. 48 ft dry van build sheet, Hyundai Translead (sheet hosted by Hale Trailer). Primary source. Read November 14, 2026. Factory build sheet on a dealer’s server, not the maker’s own site.
  9. HT ThermoTech refrigerated van, Hyundai Translead. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  10. Refrigerated van brochure, Hyundai Translead (hosted by CT Power). Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  11. Reefer specifications (3000R), Utility Trailer. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  12. Everest reefer brochure, Great Dane. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  13. Flatbed specifications, Utility Trailer. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  14. Infinity flatbed 48 ft, Fontaine. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  15. Infinity drop deck 53 ft, Fontaine. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  16. Infinity drop deck 53 ft spec sheet, Fontaine (sheet hosted by Hale Trailer). Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  17. Velocity drop deck 53 ft spec sheet, Fontaine (sheet hosted by Hale Trailer). Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  18. Step deck build sheet FLD-0026-00053, Great Dane (sheet hosted by Maxim). Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  19. 4000AE drop deck, Utility Trailer. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026. Its 59⅝ in upper deck height is for a 48 ft model.
  20. Size and weight: questions and answers on federal weight limits, FHWA Office of Freight Management and Operations. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  21. Size and weight: questions and answers on federal size limits, FHWA Office of Freight Management and Operations. Primary source. Read November 14, 2026.
  22. 48 and 53 ft dry van trailers, Penske Truck Rental. Read November 14, 2026.
  23. Trailer guide, Freight Sidekick. Read November 14, 2026.
  24. Dry van dimensions and capacities, Hale Trailer. Read November 14, 2026. Trailer dealer and lessor.
  25. Truckload equipment guide, C.H. Robinson. Read November 14, 2026. Its appendix rows read as unlabelled runs of numbers; which figure is which column was worked out, not printed.
  26. 53 ft refrigerated trailer, Penske Truck Rental. Read November 14, 2026.
  27. Flatbed equipment guide, C.H. Robinson. Read November 14, 2026.
  28. Single drop dimensions, Ryan Transportation. Read November 14, 2026.
  29. 23 CFR 658.17 Weight (text of the regulation), Cornell Law School LII. Read November 14, 2026. A reproduction of the federal regulation on a law school site.
  30. 23 CFR 658.15 Width (text of the regulation), FindLaw. Read November 14, 2026. A reproduction of the federal regulation on a legal publisher’s site.