Why road freight matters
In Türkiye's trade with Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, road is the most flexible mode because it can deliver door to door. Even in sea and air shipments, cargo usually reaches the port or airport by road and leaves it by road.
There are two basic types of service:
- Full truck load (FTL): The whole vehicle is used for a single shipper.
- Less than truck load (LTL, groupage): Cargo from several shippers is combined in the same vehicle. The price is based on the floor space or weight the cargo takes up.
Vehicle types
The dimensions below are typical values. They vary by vehicle manufacturer, trailer model and carrier. Exact dimensions and capacity should be confirmed with the carrier before loading.
| Vehicle | Internal length | Internal width | Internal height | Volume (m³) | Euro pallets | Standard pallets | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curtainsider semi-trailer (standard) | 13.60 m | 2.45 m | 2.70 m | ≈ 90 | 33 | 26 | ≈ 24 t |
| Mega trailer | 13.60 m | 2.45 m | 3 m | ≈ 100 | 33 | 26 | ≈ 24 t |
| Reefer (refrigerated) trailer | 13.40 m | 2.46 m | 2.60 m | ≈ 85 | 33 | 26 | ≈ 22 t |
| Jumbo (truck and drawbar trailer) | 2 × 7.7–8.0 m | 2.45 m | 3 m | ≈ 110–120 | 36–38 | 28 | ≈ 22 t |
| Rigid truck | 7.20 m | 2.45 m | 2.60 m | ≈ 45 | 18 | 14 | ≈ 10–15 t |
| Van (3.5 t) | 4.30 m | 1.75 m | 1.90 m | ≈ 14 | 4–5 | — | ≈ 1–1.5 t |
| Minivan / small panel van | ≈ 1.8–2.2 m | 1.23 m | 1.27 m | ≈ 3.1–3.7 | 2 | — | ≈ 0.7–0.8 t |
| Container chassis | — | — | — | Depends on the container | — | — | Depends on the container |
| Lowbed (low loader) | — | — | — | — | — | — | Depends on the model |
| Tanker / bulk silo | — | — | — | Depends on the model | — | — | Depends on the model |
Typical values; they vary by vehicle manufacturer, trailer model and carrier. These are the dimensions commonly used in international road freight in Europe and Türkiye. Payload depends on the vehicle's gross weight limit and axle loads. The ranges in the jumbo and minivan rows are typical values that vary by model; the minivan width is measured between the wheel arches.
Curtainsider semi-trailer (standard)
The basic vehicle of international road freight. Can be loaded from the side, rear and top; used for full (FTL) and groupage (LTL) loads.
Mega trailer
A lowered chassis gives about 3 m of internal height. Preferred for bulky cargo such as automotive parts and household appliances.
Reefer (refrigerated) trailer
Temperature-controlled transport of goods such as food, pharmaceuticals and flowers; a temperature record (thermograph) is kept.
Jumbo (truck and drawbar trailer)
Two separate compartments: the motor truck's body and a drawbar trailer. Each compartment is about 7.7–8.0 m depending on the model, giving ≈ 15.4–16.0 m of total load length; under EU rules a road train may be at most 18.75 m long overall. It offers the highest volume and suits light, bulky cargo. In the trade "jumbo" is sometimes also used for mega trailers, so confirm the vehicle type when you ask for a quote.
Rigid truck
Urban and regional distribution, part loads. Body length and capacity vary widely by vehicle class.
Van (3.5 t)
Urgent and small shipments, express deliveries. The most flexible vehicle in terms of licence and driving rules. The number of pallets depends on the width between the wheel arches.
Minivan / small panel van
Small vans of the Doblo, Caddy or Transit Connect class; couriers, samples and small urban deliveries. The table values are for the VW Caddy Cargo / Cargo Maxi as an example of the class: load length ≈ 1.8 m (Maxi ≈ 2.15 m), width between the wheel arches ≈ 1.23 m, volume ≈ 3.1–3.7 m³. Because the space between the arches is wider than 1.2 m, a Euro pallet fits crosswise, and up to 2 Euro pallets can be carried. Other models differ.
Container chassis
Carries a shipping container from the port to the consignee or from the shipper to the port. Models are available for 20', 40' and 45' containers.
Lowbed (low loader)
Tall and heavy cargo such as construction machinery, transformers and turbine parts. Out-of-gauge loads need special permits and route planning.
Tanker / bulk silo
Bulk liquids (fuel, chemicals, food) or bulk powders (cement, flour). ADR rules apply to dangerous goods.
What is a loading metre (LDM)?
In groupage road freight the floor space the cargo occupies matters, because a pallet that nothing can be stacked on uses that part of the vehicle completely. This space is measured in loading metres (LDM).
1 LDM is 1 metre of length across the full width of a standard trailer (about 2.40 m). The calculation is:
LDM = (length × width) ÷ 2.4 (dimensions in metres)
- One Euro pallet (1.20 × 0.80 m): 0.96 ÷ 2.4 = 0.4 LDM
- One standard pallet (1.20 × 1.00 m): 1.20 ÷ 2.4 = 0.5 LDM
- A 13.6 m trailer: 13.6 LDM
For pricing, carriers also convert LDM into weight. In common practice 1 LDM is counted as somewhere between 1,650 and 1,850 kg. The factor varies by carrier and is stated in the quotation.
Worked examples
| Example | LDM | Chargeable weight (1 LDM = 1,750 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Euro pallets, non-stackable | 4.0 | 7,000 kg |
| 10 Euro pallets, stackable (2 high) | 2.0 | 3,500 kg |
| 12 standard pallets, non-stackable | 6.0 | 10,500 kg |
LDM = (length × width) ÷ 2.4. The weight equivalent of 1 LDM varies by carrier; 1,750 kg is used in the example. If the actual weight is higher, the charge is based on the actual weight.
Can it be stacked?
If the cargo is stackable (another pallet can be placed on top), the LDM can be halved, which cuts the cost considerably. That is why stackability must always be stated when booking. Non-stackable cargo is charged for the full floor space it occupies.
Test yourself
- How many LDM are 10 Euro pallets? (Answer: 10 × 0.4 = 4 LDM.)
- Which vehicle suits a load of light but bulky cartons that is 2.9 m high? (Answer: A mega trailer or a jumbo.)
- Why does it matter in groupage that your cargo is stackable? (Answer: The floor space it occupies, and therefore the LDM charged, goes down.)