Corporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 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 guid elines

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

• Be sure to verify incoming freight trailers with th e customer to ensure all scenarios are coveredCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 53022 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 Fax: 262.255.4199 www.wbmcguire.com



# Standard Freight Trailer

 Used to carry most freight (boxed, crated, palletiz ed, 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 loa ds use 3 axle/12 wheel or 4 axle/ 16 wheel configurationsCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 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" 3,48 9 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 lbsCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 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 loa ds use 3 axle/12 wheel or 4 axle/ 16 wheel configurationsCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 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

BTUCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 53022 Phone: 1.800.624.8473 Fax: 262.255.4199 www.wbmcguire.com



# Container Skeletal Carrier

• These trailers are designed to transport internatio nal cargo containers that can often range from 20’— 45’ in length

• Some skeletal containers come in adjustable configu rations 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 loa ds 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 kgCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 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 transportin g 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, W I 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 - 55,0 00 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 lbsExtendibleSingle 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 lbsCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 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, W I 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 capacit ies

• Often these will have air ride suspensions to prote ct 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 lbsCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 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 loa ds use 3 axle/12 wheel or 4 axle/ 16 wheel configurations

• Some loggers are equipped with cranes for loading a nd unloading timberCorporate Office

W194 N11481 McCormick Dr. P. O. Box 309 Germantown, W I 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.