Reefer Semi-Trailer (North America, 53ft) dimensions
A Reefer Semi-Trailer (North America, 53ft) measures 15.85 m (52′0″) long, 2.52 m (8′3″) wide and 2.56 m (8′5″) high inside — about 102.2 m³ (3,611 ft³) of usable space, with a payload up to 20,000 kg (44,092 lb).
North American 53ft refrigerated van. Rear door loading; interior reduced vs. the 53ft dry van by insulated walls and the nose-mounted cooling unit.
Internal dimensions and capacity
| Specification | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Internal length | 15.85 m | 52′0″ (52 ft) |
| Internal width | 2.52 m | 8′3″ |
| Internal height | 2.56 m | 8′5″ |
| Capacity | 102.2 m³ | 3,611 ft³ |
| Floor area | 39.9 m² | 429 ft² |
| Max payload | 20,000 kg | 44,092 lb |
Internal (usable) figures, not external. Capacity is the geometric interior volume — real cargo never fills 100% of it, because pallets, dunnage and irregular shapes leave void space.
Max payload is what the equipment itself is rated for. What you may legally load is often lower once the road leg's gross and per-axle limits apply — see container weight limits and max payload.
How many pallets fit in a Reefer Semi-Trailer (North America, 53ft)?
| Pallet | On the floor | Double-stacked | Max load height for 2 tiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro pallet (1200 × 800 mm) | 39 | 78 | 1.28 m |
| Standard pallet (1200 × 1000 mm) | 30 | 60 | 1.28 m |
| US GMA pallet (48 × 40 in) | 30 | 60 | 1.28 m |
Maximum floor fit with pallets turned to their best orientation — the same basis as the widely quoted 11-in-a-20ft and 25-in-a-40ft figures. It is a geometric maximum: it assumes pallets touch, so allow a pallet or two fewer where a crew needs handling clearance, and check the door opening for the last row.
Double-stacking is a condition, not a promise: two tiers only fit if each loaded pallet stays under the height in the last column. Weight usually bites first — at a mid-range 700 kg per loaded pallet, this vessel's 20,000 kg payload allows about 28 of them.
How much of this road vehicle will your cargo fill?
The table above is the box. What matters is how your cargo sits in it — how many units fit, where the weight lands, and whether you run out of floor or payload first. Enter your cargo and get the answer, free and without signing up.
Working out pallet counts? See how many pallets fit in a 40ft container and how many boxes fit in a container.
Other road vehicles
- 32ft Container — MXL (India)
- 32ft Container — SXL (India)
- 32ft Container — MXL High-Cube (India)
- 32ft Container — MXL Wide Body (India)
- Curtainsider Semi-Trailer
- Box/Dry Van Semi-Trailer (North America, 53ft)
- Reefer Semi-Trailer (Europe)
- Isotherm Truck (Insulated, Non-Powered)
- Flatbed Semi-Trailer (North America, 48ft)
- Flatbed Semi-Trailer (Europe)
- Step Deck Trailer
- 24ft Box Truck
- 14ft Truck (India)
- 17ft Truck (India)
- 19ft Truck (India)
- 20ft Truck — SXL (India)
- 22ft Truck (India)
- 24ft Truck (India)
- 48ft Dry Van Trailer
- Mega Curtainsider (Jumbo)
- Mini Truck (Tata Ace class, India)
- 10ft Truck (India)
- 12ft Truck (India)
- 26ft Box Truck
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