What are the internal dimensions of a 13.6m curtainsider semi-trailer?

A standard 13.6m curtainsider has internal cargo dimensions of 13,620 mm (length) × 2,480 mm (width) × 2,700 mm (height), giving approximately 91 m³ of usable volume. The mega variant increases internal height to 3,000 mm for approximately 101 m³. Both allow full side access by retracting the tarpaulin curtains.

How many Euro pallets fit in a 13.6m curtainsider?

A 13.6m curtainsider fits 33 Euro pallets (800 × 1,200 mm) in a single floor layer, loaded in a 3-wide pattern. Industrial pallets (1,000 × 1,200 mm) yield 26 floor positions. If cargo height allows double-stacking (pallets ≤ 1.35m per layer), you can load up to 66 Euro pallets.

What is the maximum payload of a 13.6m curtainsider trailer?

The typical net payload is approximately 24,000 kg. The trailer tare weight is around 7,000–8,000 kg. Under EU Directive 96/53/EC, the combined tractor + trailer GVW is limited to 44,000 kg on 5 or 6 axles, with the trailer bogie limited to 24,000 kg — always confirm with your specific trailer plate ratings.

What is the difference between a curtainsider and a box trailer at 13.6m?

Both share the same 13.6m × 2.48m × 2.70m cargo space and 33-pallet floor layout. The key difference is access: a curtainsider's tarpaulin sides retract fully along the entire trailer length, enabling simultaneous side access from both sides and full-length forklift operations — the main reason tautliners dominate groupage and multi-drop freight. A box trailer (rigid walls) can only be loaded from the rear doors, but provides better protection against dust, weather, and cargo movement during transit.

What is LDM and how is it calculated for a 13.6m curtainsider?

LDM (Linear Deck Meters) measures how much of the trailer floor length your cargo occupies — cargo footprint area ÷ 2.4m (reference width). A full 13.6m trailer equals 13.60 LDM. A single Euro pallet (800 × 1,200 mm) placed 1,200mm lengthwise occupies 0.5 LDM. LDM is the standard pricing unit for groupage (LTL) freight across Europe.

What is the cargo height in a standard vs mega curtainsider?

A standard 13.6m curtainsider has 2,700 mm internal height. A mega curtainsider increases this to 3,000 mm, adding room for taller palletised loads or double-stacking. Since a Euro pallet is 144 mm tall, the effective maximum cargo stack is approximately 2,556 mm in a standard, or 2,856 mm in a mega trailer.

Can I load a 13.6m curtainsider from the side?

Yes — this is the defining feature of a curtainsider body. Retracting the tarpaulin curtains on either side gives forklifts unrestricted access along the full 13.6m trailer length, making simultaneous loading from both sides possible. This dramatically reduces dwell time at multi-drop distribution points and cross-docking facilities. The floor load limit of 5,000 kg/m² still applies for concentrated loads such as forklift wheels.

Trailer Dimensions Guide

13.6m Curtainsider Semi-Trailer — Dimensions & Cargo Specifications

Internal dimensions, volume, max payload, LDM, and pallet capacity for the full-size 13.6m curtainsider (tautliner) semi-trailer — with full side-curtain loading access

Interior length

13.62m

Interior width

2.48m

Interior height

2.70m

Max payload

~24,000 kg

Volume

~91 m³

Linear meters

13.60 LDM

Euro pallets

33 positions

Loading access

Rear & sides

Curtainsider vs Box Trailer — Variant Comparison

Variant	Internal (L × W × H)	Volume	LDM	Max payload	Euro pallets
Curtainsider	13.62m × 2.48m × 2.70m	91 m³	13.60	~24,000 kg	33
Mega Curtainsider	13.62m × 2.48m × 3.00m	101 m³	13.60	~24,000 kg	33

Curtainsider

Internal (L × W × H)

13.62m × 2.48m × 2.70m

Volume

91 m³

LDM

13.60

Max payload

~24,000 kg

Euro pallets

Mega Curtainsider

Internal (L × W × H)

13.62m × 2.48m × 3.00m

Volume

101 m³

LDM

13.60

Max payload

~24,000 kg

Euro pallets

Note: Dimensions are typical for 13.6m curtainsider/tautliner semi-trailers. A curtainsider's tarpaulin sides retract fully for side access along the entire trailer length — ideal for forklift loading at loading docks. The mega variant adds 300mm of internal height (3,000mm total) for taller cargo without sacrificing floor space. Actual cargo space may vary by trailer builder — always verify with your carrier.

Explore the 13.6m Curtainsider in 3D

Interactive 3D model of the full-size 13.6m curtainsider semi-trailer — drag to rotate, scroll to zoom

Drag to rotate · Scroll to zoom

Loading Specifications

Pallet capacity, weight limits, and loading rules

Pallet capacity

How many pallets fit in a 13.6m curtainsider

Euro pallets (800 × 1,200 mm) 33 floor positions

Industrial pallets (1,000 × 1,200 mm) 26 floor positions

Double-stacked Euro pallets up to 66 (height permitting, ≤ 1.35m per layer)

Floor load limit 5,000 kg/m²

Typical for curtainsider semi-trailer floors. Check your carrier's spec sheet.

Weight limits

Typical figures for this 13.6m semi-trailer class

Tractor front axle limit 7,500 kg

Tractor rear bogie limit 19,000 kg

Trailer axle bogie limit 24,000 kg

Net payload available ~24,000 kg

Axle distribution: EU Directive 96/53/EC allows a GVW of 44,000 kg for a tractor + semi-trailer combination with 5 or 6 axles. The tractor rear bogie (drive axles) is limited to 19,000 kg and the trailer bogie to 24,000 kg. Hansatic's load planner models these axle group limits by default — always verify against your specific tractor plate ratings.

EU dimension regulations

The 13.6m curtainsider complies with EU Directive 96/53/EC maximum dimensions: 13.6m trailer body, 2.55m external width (or 2.60m for refrigerated), and 4.0m height. No special permits are required for standard loads within these limits.

Cargo length 13.62m

Cargo width 2.48m

Cargo height 2.70m

Max external width (EU) 2.55m

Max overall height (EU) 4.00m

13.6m Curtainsider — Frequently Asked Questions

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