Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

A Guide to Truck Trailers 

Notes: 

• Truck trailers can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and 

load requirements and the state roadway regulations, make sure to 

check the state you are in for regulations and guidelines 

• This is only a guide, and should not be used as a final word in dock 

planning 

• Be sure to verify incoming freight trailers with the customer to ensure 

all scenarios are covered 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Standard Freight Trailer 

 Used to carry most freight (boxed, crated, palletized, etc) 

 Common lengths: 28’, 32’, 36’, 40’, 42’, 43’, 45’, 48’, 53’ 

 Common widths: 96” – 102” (8’—8.5’) 

 Common heights: 12.5’ – 13.5’ 

 Common axle/wheel ratios: 2 axle/8-wheel, heavy loads use 3 axle/12 wheel or 4 

axle/ 16 wheel configurations 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Common Dimensions of Standard Truck Trailers 

OVERALL INTERIOR REAR SWING DOOR

Length Width Height Length Width Height Width Height 

CAPACITY 

(volume) 

TARE 

 

40' 

96" 

96" 

96" 

12' 6" 

13' 0" 

13' 6" 

39' 6" 

39' 6" 

39' 6" 

92.5" 

92.5" 

92.5" 

94.5" 

100.5" 

106.5" 

92" 

92" 

92" 

92" 

98" 

104" 

2,398 cu ft

2,550 cu ft

2,702 cu ft

11,300 lbs 

11,400 lbs 

11,500 lbs 

42' / 43' 

96" 

96" 

96" 

12' 6" 

13' 0" 

13' 6" 

41' 6"/42' 6"

41' 6"/42' 6"

41' 6"/42' 6"

92.5" 

92.5" 

92.5" 

94.5" 

100.5" 

106.5" 

92" 

92" 

92" 

92" 

98" 

104" 

2,549 cu ft

2,711 cu ft

2,873 cu ft

11,800/12,000 lbs

11,900/12,100 lbs

12,000/12,200 lbs

45' 

96" 

96" 

96" 

102" 

12' 6" 

13' 0" 

13' 6" 

13' 6" 

44' 6" 

44' 6" 

44' 6" 

44' 6" 

92.5" 

92.5" 

92.5" 

92.5" 

94.5" 

100.5" 

106.5" 

106.5" 

92" 

92" 

92" 

98" 

92" 

98" 

106" 

106" 

2,701 cu ft

2,873 cu ft

3,044 cu ft

3,242 cu ft

12,400 lbs 

12,500 lbs 

12,600 lbs 

12,950 lbs 

48' 

96" 

102" 

13' 6" 

13' 6" 

13' 6" 

47' 6" 

47' 6" 

47' 6" 

92.5" 

98.5" 

98.5" 

106.5" 

100.625" 

108" 

92" 

98" 

98" 

106.5" 

100.625" 

108" 

3,250 cu ft

3,464 cu ft

3,509 cu ft

13,200 lbs 

13,500 lbs 

13,500 lbs 

53' 102" 13' 6" 47' 6" 98.5" 107.375" 94" 102" 3,489 cu ft 14,400 lbs 

48' Wedge 102" 13' 6" 47' 6" 

98.5" 

98.5" 

Front 108"

Rear 110" 

98" 110" 3,542 cu ft 13,500 lbs 

53' Wedge 102" 13' 6" 52' 6" 98.5" 

Front 108"

Rear 110" 

98" 110" 3,914 cu ft 14,400 lbs 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Reefer (Refrigerated) Truck Trailer 

• Reefers are refrigerated by a unit commonly at the front of the trailer and are 

insulated to transport perishable goods 

• Common lengths: 28’, 32’, 36’, 40’, 48’, 53’ 

• Common widths: 96”—102” (8’—8.5’) 

• Common heights: 12.5”—13.5” 

• Common axle/wheel ratios: 2 axle/8-wheel, heavy loads use 3 axle/12 wheel or 4 

axle/ 16 wheel configurations 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Common Dimensions of Reefer Truck Trailers 

OVERALL INTERIOR 

TYPE 

Length Width Height Length Width Height

VOLUME 

(approximate) 

AIRFLOW 

(approximate) 

REFRIGERATION 

CAPACITY 

Single or Multi 

Temp 28' 96" 13' 6" 27' 3" 90" 104.5" 1,780 cu ft 2,500 - 3,500 

cfm 

20,000 - 60,000 

BTU 

Single or Multi 

Temp 32' 96" 13' 6" 31' 3" 90" 104.5" 2,040 cu ft 2,500 - 3,500 

cfm 

20,000 - 60,000 

BTU 

Single or Multi 

Temp 36' 96" 13' 6" 35' 3" 90" 104.5" 2,300 cu ft 2,500 - 3,500 cfm 

20,000 - 60,000 

BTU 

Single or Multi 

Temp 40' 96" 13' 6" 39' 3" 90" 104.5" 2,560 cu ft 2,500 - 3,500 cfm 

20,000 - 60,000 

BTU 

Single or Multi 

Temp 48' 96" 13' 6" 47' 3" 90" 104.5" 3,080 cu ft 2,500 - 3,500 cfm 

20,000 - 60,000 

BTU 

Single or Multi 

Temp 53' 102" 13' 6" 52' 3" 97.4" 104.5" 3,693 cu ft 2,500 - 3,500 cfm 

20,000 - 60,000 

BTU 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Container Skeletal Carrier 

• These trailers are designed to transport international cargo containers that can 

often range from 20’— 45’ in length 

• Some skeletal containers come in adjustable configurations to accommodate a 

wide range of containers 

• Brackets mounted on the trailer keep the container in place for roadway travel 

• Common axle/wheel ratios: 2 axle/8-wheel, heavy loads use 3 axle/12 wheel or 4 

axle/ 16 wheel configurations 

Common Dimensions of Container Skeletal Carriers 

OVERALL 

Length Width Height

CONTAINER

SIZES 

TARE 

NET 

CAPACITY 

GROSS 

CAPACITY 

41.5' 98" 51.5" 20' - 40' 12,100 lbs / 

5,500 kg 

71,390 lbs / 

32,450 kg 83,600 lbs / 38,000 kg 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Platform (Flat Bed) Trailer 

• These trailers are designed to accommodate oversize cargo that wouldn’t normally fit 

into standard sized freight trailers

• Platform trailers are also designed for transporting materials that must be 

loaded/unloaded from the top or side of the trailer

• Common lengths: 26’, 40’, 42’, 45’, 48’
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Common Dimensions of Platform Trailers 

OVERALL 

TYPE 

Length Width 

TARE 

WEIGHT 

CAPACITY 

Platform 26' 96" 6,100 lbs. 50,000 - 55,000 lbs. 

Platform 40' 96" 10,800 lbs. 50,000 - 55,000 lbs. 

Platform 42' 96" 11,050 lbs. 50,000 - 55,000 lbs. 

Platform 45' 96" 12,420 lbs. 50,000 - 55,000 lbs. 

Platform 45' 102" 12,870 lbs. 50,000 - 55,000 lbs. 

Platform 48' 102" 13,430 lbs. 50,000 - 55,000 lbs. 

Platform 48' triaxle 102" 15,460 lbs. 50,000 - 55,000 lbs. 

Extendible 40'-65' 96" 15,900 lbs 

Extendible 40'-65' 102" 16,500 lbs 

Extendible 45'-70' 96" 16,800 lbs 

Extendible 45'-73' 96"/102" 16,990/17,250 lbs 

Extendible 48'-76' 96"/102" 17,400/17,650 lbs 

ExtendibleSingle Drop 

45'-65' 96" 17,500 lbs 

ExtendibleTriaxle 

45'-75' 102" 22,570 lbs 

 

NOTE: 

Extendible Length/Weight Capacity 

(decreases in extended position) 

40'/80,000 lbs 

50'/48,000 lbs 

55'/35,000 lbs 

60'/30,000 lbs 

65'/27,000 lbs 

70'/25,000 lbs 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Platform Dropdeck/Gooseneck Trailers 

• Designed to accommodate oversized or special cargo much like a platform trailer 

• Common lengths: 40’, 42’, 45’, 48’ 

Common Dimensions of Goosenseck Trailers 

OVERALL 

TYPE 

Length Width 

TARE 

WEIGHT 

CAPACITY 

Dropdeck 40' 96" 12,800 lbs. 70,000 lbs. 

Dropdeck 42' 96" 13,200 lbs. 70,000 lbs. 

Dropdeck 45' 96" 13,600 lbs. 66,000 lbs. 

Dropdeck 48' 196" 13,060 lbs. 66,000 lbs. 

Dropdeck 48' 102" 13,350 lbs. 66,000 lbs. 

Dropdeck 48' 102" 14,100 lbs. 66,000 lbs. 

Lowbed 40' 96" 15,900 lbs 70,000 lbs. 

Lowbed 40' 96" 16,500 lbs 70,000 lbs. 

Lowbed 40' 102" 16,800 lbs 70,000 lbs. 

Lowbed 41.5' 102" 16,990/17,250 lbs 70,000 lbs. 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Deep Drop Furniture/Electronics Trailers 

• These trailers are designed to transport relatively large, bulky, and light cargo 

• Common lengths: 45’, 48’, 53’ 

• Standard heights: 13’ 6” 

• Standard widths: 96”—102” 

• Lower rear deck to facilitate greater cargo capacities 

• Often these will have air ride suspensions to protect fragile cargo 

 Common Deep Drop/Electronics Dimensions 

OVERALL INTERIOR REAR SWING DOOR

Length Width Height Length Width Height Width Height 

VOLUME TARE 

45' 96" 13' 6" 44' 7" 92.5" 106"/123" 92" 119" 3,420 cu ft 13,500 lbs 

48' 102" 13' 6" 47' 7" 98.5" 106"/122" 98" 118" 3,789 cu ft 14,250 lbs 

53' 102" 13' 6" 52' 7" 98.5" 106"/119" 98" 119" 4,395 cu ft 15,000 lbs 
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Timber Trailers (Loggers) 

• These are basically flat bed trailers with vertical stakes to hold logs in place

• Common lengths: 40’—53’ (singles) 28’—32’ (tandems)

• Common axle/wheel ratios: 2 axle/8-wheel, heavy loads use 3 axle/12 wheel or 4 

axle/ 16 wheel configurations 

• Some loggers are equipped with cranes for loading and unloading timber
 

 Corporate Office 

 W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. 

 P. O. Box 309 

 Germantown, WI 53022 

 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 

 Fax: 262.255.4199 

 www.wbmcguire.com

Common Logger Dimensions 

OVERALL 

Length Width Height

WHEEL 

BASE AXLES DROP STAKE 

HEIGHT CAPACITY 

48' 102" 12' 9" 37' 6.5" 5 50" 8' 7" 

25,000 lbs 

(actual load dependent upon diameter and shape of 

logs) 

48' 8" 102" 13' 

10" 38' 1.5" 3 59.5" 8' 10.5" 

25,000 lbs 

(actual load dependent upon diameter and shape of 

logs) 

48' 8" 102" 13' 

10" 38' 1.5" 3 55.75" 9' 3" 

22,500 lbs 

(actual load dependent upon diameter and shape of 

logs) 

50' 114"* 15'* 38' 1.5" 3 58" 10' 2" 

22,500 lbs 

(actual load dependent upon diameter and shape of 

logs) 

* Non-US interstate highway configuration.