Interior and Exterior Dimensions of a 53- Foot Trailer

Tags: Anatomy of a Trailer, Fleet management

Let’s say you’re looking for a used refrigerated trailer and you have your budget set, but you’re not sure what dimensions are needed to provide an efficient shipment delivery. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s standard trailer dimensions allow for lengths of up to 53 feet; according to the federal government, this is the established standard length for use on highways across the country. Why is it important to know this information and get it right? Because depending on your cargo, knowing the right trailer size to make the journey will help you manage shipping costs well in advance.

As a trailer provider, we can teach you about load restrictions, state road rules, and anything regarding the capacity of a semi-truck. Dive in with us as we explore the dimensions of 53′ trailer semi-trucks.

53′ Foot Dry Van Trailer Dimensions

Length and height variations are common, although the width is more consistent throughout models. 53′ semi-trailers have the following standard dimensions, which is helpful when figuring out how many pallets fit in a 53’ trailer.

Dry Vans

Due to the entirely enclosed structure of the trailer, which allows freight to be sheltered from outside interruptions, dry van semi-trailers are designed to transport the most varied of non-perishable materials. Palletized products are the most typically transported via this method because they can be loaded and unloaded quickly and safely from a dock with a forklift or pallet jack. This process can be made even faster with a moving floor trailer.

Plate Vans

Of unique structure and composed of laminate panels is the plate van. Plate vans have a recessed splice plate with “A” holes for greater cargo control when utilizing standard cargo restraint systems. The patented polylaminate panels are made with an epoxy-coated inner and outwardly they consist of galvanized steel for increased durability even in the harshest environments.

If repairs are necessary, this design enables quick panel replacement without the need to remove neighboring panels, unlike in competing trailer designs. This means more time on the road with little downtime used for repairs or maintenance.

Sheet & Post Vans

Finding a sheet and post trailer with excellent components that can meet your individual operation demands is key. The difference should be made clear to fleet managers.

Sheet and post van trailer models can easily meet your operational needs for transporting dry freight efficiently and safely. The materials of this trailer type are made of light plywood or a similar material that may require more frequent repairs.

“While sheet and post trailers are stronger and offer logistics posts on tighter centers, composite plate trailers offer more interior cubic capacity. The interior scuff liner also affects cubic capacity so be sure to check that when speccing your trailer”

Chris Hill, General Manager, Hale Trailer Concord, NC

53-Foot Reefer Trailer Dimensions

Reefer semi-trailers are meant to carry items that must be kept at a specified temperature or temperature range for the duration of their journey. Reefers can be kept at warmer temperatures to protect freight from freezing- or run dry freight when the refrigeration unit is switched off.

Reefer Trailers

Reefer trailers are ideal for transporting items at a constant temperature. Conventional sleeper trucks or day cab trucks are typically used to tow them. Before renting or purchasing reefer trailers, remember you need to be sure that the trailer will fit the requirements for your shipment. Unlike dry vans, reefers have metal or fiberglass walls, ceilings, and floors to enhance insulation.

Let’s think about what you’re hauling in your reefer trailer:

Towed in a Refrigerated Container: Is it a general commodity you’re hauling? If so, it will likely be kept at 55 degrees. These items are dry goods you may not be freezing- but don’t want to melt like marshmallows or items made with chocolate.

Towed in a Modified/Controlled Atmosphere (MA/CA) Container: Produce or perishable foods you’ll want to carry at a cooler temperature than a general commodity is best around 36 degrees.

Towed in a Automatic Fresh Air Management (AFAM) Container: Items that need to be in a deep frozen state – like ice cream or sushi-grade fish, – is best at 0 to -20 degrees.

Why is Understanding Trailer Dimensions Important?

When shipping items, choosing a properly-sized trailer is important for ensuring safe transportation. It can also save money for the client by avoiding over-height loads, keeping them within limits of the law.

Having the finest trailers for your travel should be coupled with optimizing shipping expenses for your company’s performance. Exporting leftover pallets won’t be cost-effective, so get the numbers right from the start. If that means managing a truck with the standard 53 trailer dimensions, you will know in advance if that was the proper move for the shipment.

When comparing freight packing patterns, remember that whichever method you choose will either limit or expand the number of pallets in total that can be moved. Have your 53-foot trailer pallets ready to go before each shipment so you can keep track of your costs and see how efficient you are for both your clients and your fleet.

Getting the Measurements Right with Hale Trailer

You should know the dimensions of your truck to avoid exceeding the legal towing weight limitations. Understanding the dimensions of your trailer will also help you avoid overloading it and improve your load-carrying safety protocol.

Ready to take the next step? We’re committed to showing we are leaders in the trucking industry. Getting you the best fleet options is top of mind for our team. Our selection of trailers are road-ready with options available for purchase or rent. Browse our collection online or come to one of our locations to learn more about how we can help you.