Lorry sizes: from Tautliner to City Trailer. A list of all sizes for you.

Looking for the right lorry? Then you have to consider the specific lorry sizes. It is essential to select the right lorry for transport. Not just for efficiency, but also to save costs. The right lorry helps you make optimum use of the loading space and weight. This reduces the number of empty journeys, which saves time and fuel costs. 

Whether it concerns the transport of pallets, perishable goods or heavy loads, the right type of lorry ensures smooth transport, safety and cost efficiency. But what exactly are the various types of lorries? This article covers each type. So you can make the most of your loading space.  

This article in 30 seconds

• The most common types of lorries:
  • The Tautliner/ curtainsider semi-lorry – with space for 33 europallets and a load capacity up to 24.5 tonnes.
  • The box lorry - with space for 33 europallets and a load capacity up to 23.5 tonnes.
  • The refrigerated lorry - with space for 33 europallets and a load capacity up to 23 tonnes.
  • The combi-lorry -with space for 38 europallets and a load capacity up to 24 tonnes.
• There are also two special, different-sized types of lorries. These are:
  • The city lorry - with space for 15 to 25 europallets and a load capacity up to approximately 13 tonnes.
  • The mega lorry – with space for up to 28 europallets and a load capacity up to approximately 33 tonnes.
• In the transport sector, we use the term loading metre. This professional jargon refers to a linear metre in the truck. One loading metre equals one metre of length over the entire width and height of the loading space.
• Listed below are the legal limits for lorries used for transport:
  • Maximum length (from the centre of the kingpin) of 12 metres.
  • Maximum height of 4 metres.
  • Maximum width of 2.55 metres.
• Is it a refrigerated lorry? Then other maximum dimensions apply, including a maximum width of 2.6 metres and a minimum wall thickness of 45 mm.

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The different types of lorries

There are many different types of lorries. These lorry types are used for different goods. The most common types of lorries are:

1. The Tautliner/ Curtainsider semi-lorry
2. The box lorry
3. The refrigerated lorry
4. The combi-lorry

The tautliner or curtainsider semi-lorry

The Taut- or tiltliner is also called the curtainsider semi-lorry. Tautliner is actually a brand name but you can compare the use of its name to the way Jeep is used. Tautliners come in diverse types and sizes. The advantage is that the lorry can be opened almost completely thanks to its flexible side curtains. This is also called a lorry with a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin is flexible and can be opened from the sides (and sometimes from the top) for the easy loading and unloading of goods. 

Dimensions:

Length: 13.6 metres
Width: 2.55 metres
Height: 2.65 to 2.70 metres
Capacity: Space for 33 Europallets
Load Capacity: 24.5 tonnes

The box lorry

The box lorry is completely closed, with fixed side walls and a fixed roof. This lorry is primarily used for transporting valuable or fragile goods that require extra protection. The main advantage of the box lorry is that it offers extra security against theft. It also provides protection from all types of weather conditions. 

Dimensions:

Length: 13.5 metres
Width: 2.55 metres
Height: 2.45 metres
Capacity: Space for 33 Europallets
Load Capacity: 23.5 tonnes
 

The refrigerated lorry, or reefer

The refrigerated lorry is insulated and equipped with a cooling system. The cooling systems can also be set to provide heating instead of cooling. Reefers are mainly used for transporting perishable goods such as vegetables, fruit, meat and medicines. The main advantage of the refrigerated lorry is that it keeps the goods at a constant cooled (or heated ) temperature. This lorry comes in various versions. There are refrigerated lorries with thick insulated walls or those with thinner walls. The possible temperature range is between –20·C and +25·C. 

Dimensions:

Length: 13.6 metres
Width: 2.55 metres
Height: 2.60 to 2.70 metres
Capacity: Space for 33 Europallets
Load Capacity: 23 tonnes

The combi-lorry, or the LZV

The LZV, Longer and Heavier Truck Combination, is made up of multiple lorries. These are combined to transport larger amounts of goods, which reduces journeys and lowers transport costs. They are mainly used in retail and construction, where a lot of freight is often transported in one go. 

Dimensions:

Length: Up to 25.25 metres
Width: 2.55 metres
Height: Up to 4.0 metres
Capacity: Space for up to 38 Europallets
Load Capacity: Up to 44 tonnes

Special types of lorries in the United Kingdom

In addition to the more common types of lorries, there are also special lorries. The two best-known lorry types are:

1. The city lorries
2. The mega lorries

City lorries

City lorries are ideal for transporting goods in urban areas. They are shorter than the standard articulated lorries, allowing access to more congested areas, such as narrow city streets and busy shopping districts.

City lorries generally come in the following dimensions:

However, the actual dimensions can differ per city lorry. They are usually between 8 to 10 metres long and have space for 15 to 25 pallets. 

Mega lorries

Mega lorries are extra high and are also called jumbo lorries. They can be up to 3 metres high, which offers more loading capacity. Mega lorries are primarily used for transporting large goods such as cars and furniture. The main advantage of the mega lorry is that it provides more volume per journey, which increases efficiency with volumetric transport. 

Mega lorries, or jumbo lorries, usually have canvas sidewalls. 

Mega lorries usually come in the following dimensions:

However, the actual dimensions can differ per mega lorry.

How do I calculate loading metres?

The term loading metre is a technical term used in the transport industry. It refers to one linear metre of space within the lorry. One loading metre is the full length (1 metre) of the lorry’s width and height.

For example, if a load is 2 metres long and covers the full width of the lorry, this would count as 2 loading metres.

Pallets and loading metres

A standard Europallet in the UK measures 1.2 metres wide and 0.8 metres wide. A typical lorry is around 2.4 metres wide, so two Europallets can fit side-by-side across the width. This uses 1 loading metre per row of two pallets. For instance, if you have 10 Europallets, these will fit in 5 rows. Five times 0.8 metres equals 4 metres in total length, so transporting 10 Europallets would require 4 loading metres.

Weight and sizes: what are the legal limits?

• Maximum Length: 12 metres — The standard maximum length for rigid lorries in the UK is 12 metres. Articulated lorries can be up to 16.5 metres long, but this applies to standard lorries, not the city or mega lorries mentioned.
• Maximum Width: 2.55 metres — Correct for general lorries, though some special vehicles (like refrigerated lorries) can extend to 2.6 metres.
• Maximum Height: 4 metres — Correct, although lorries taller than this may require a permit or be subject to restrictions, depending on local infrastructure.

These dimensions are valid for the UK. However, different categories of vehicles (like the ones mentioned) might have more specific limits or exceptions.

Innovations in lorry sizes and design

The transport sector is constantly evolving. New lorries often provide improved efficiency, which is a goal of every company. That is why every transport company must keep up to speed with the latest trends and developments. There are various innovations in lorry size and design, such as the electric truck and the electric lorry. Double Deck lorries are also gaining traction in the UK.

• Electric Lorries: There are ongoing initiatives in the UK to introduce electric trucks, such as tests involving companies like Volvo Trucks and Girteka. The UK government has set ambitious goals for reducing carbon emissions, so electric lorries are part of this transition. Find more about the efficiency of electric trucks in this article.
• Double Deck Lorries: These are indeed used in the UK for larger freight, particularly in the supermarket and retail sectors. However, loading docks need to be compatible with double-deck loading systems, and such vehicles are typically restricted to certain routes or industries where their use is feasible.

Conclusion

It is important to choose the right lorry for your type of goods or products. This helps ensure efficient and cost effective transport processes. There are many different types of lorries, each of which are designed to transport specific freight. Lorries range from standard to specialised, such as refrigerated lorries and combi-lorries. For example, the curtain sider semi-lorry offers flexibility, while box lorries provide additional security. On the other hand, combi-lorries and city lorries ensure efficiency when transporting larger volumes or within urban areas 

Whatever type of lorry you choose, be sure to select the right transport partner for your company. You can do this by joining TIMOCOM's logistics network. 
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