Common US trailer sizes
| Trailer | Typical interior or deck | Typical payload |
|---|---|---|
| 53 ft dry van | about 52 ft 6 in x 8 ft 2 in to 8 ft 6 in x 9 ft | about 42,000 to 45,000 lb |
| 53 ft reefer | about 51 ft x 8 ft 2 in x 8 ft 6 in | about 40,000 to 43,000 lb |
| 48 ft flatbed | 48 ft x 8 ft 6 in deck, about 8 ft 6 in legal freight height | about 45,000 to 48,000 lb |
| 26 ft box truck | about 26 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft | about 10,000 lb |
Figures vary by manufacturer and tractor. Use your carrier's actual trailer specs and payload for planning.
Federal weight limits
| Limit | Interstate maximum |
|---|---|
| Gross vehicle weight | 80,000 lb |
| Single axle | 20,000 lb |
| Tandem axle group | 34,000 lb |
| Steer axle (typical in practice) | about 12,000 lb |
The federal bridge formula also limits the weight on any group of axles based on their number and spacing, which is why sliding a trailer's tandems changes how weight is shared. States can set different limits off the Interstate system and issue permits for heavier loads.
Cargo securement
The FMCSA cargo securement rules require the securement system to withstand 0.8 g forward, 0.5 g rearward, 0.5 g sideways and 0.2 g upward, and the aggregate working load limit of tie-downs must be at least half the cargo's weight. Specific rules apply to commodities such as coils, logs and machinery.
Planning a US load step by step
- Get the trailer's interior dimensions, door opening and payload from your carrier.
- List the freight with dimensions, weights and whether each item can be stacked.
- Lay out pallets straight or turned to fit the most per row across the width.
- Spread heavy freight along the trailer and keep it low.
- Check gross weight and each axle group, and move freight or the tandems if one is heavy.
- Plan securement to the FMCSA performance criteria and document it for the driver.
Using TRUXE for US freight
TRUXE is built in Australia and its presets and axle limits are set up for Australian vehicles. You can plan US loads today by entering your trailer's interior dimensions and payload as a custom vehicle, and TRUXE will build the 3D plan, stacking and weight totals. Treat its axle group check as indicative for US trailers, since it uses Australian limits. We are working with US design partners on US trailer presets and federal axle limits: contact us if you would like to be one.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets fit in a 53 ft trailer?
26 standard 48 x 40 in pallets loaded straight (two across, 40 in side across the trailer), or 30 if turned so the 48 in side goes across, in a single layer. Double-stacking can double that if the freight and weight allow.
What is the maximum weight for a semi-truck in the US?
80,000 lb gross on the Interstate system, with 20,000 lb per single axle and 34,000 lb per tandem group, subject to the federal bridge formula. Heavier loads need state permits.
What is the federal bridge formula?
A federal rule that limits the weight on any group of axles based on the number of axles and the distance between them, to protect bridges.
Can TRUXE plan US trailers?
Yes, as custom vehicles with your trailer's dimensions and payload. US presets and federal axle limits are in development with US design partners.