Average trailer space utilization?

1. What is your guess on the average amount of open space in a semi-trailer? I know this is an odd question but I am trying to validate a statistic that I read about how much empty space is traveling down the freeway in trucks that are not fully loaded.

Thanks,

Matt

 

It varies on the type trailer. Your standard dry van is a little less than 4000 cubic feet empty. Freight varies greatly by weight and size, so it's almost impossible to tell you the remaining space. You might have a light product that goes from the floor to the ceiling, nose to the doors or you might have something really heavy like welding rods which takes up little space because of the weight.

 

And considering you're limited to the amount of GROSS weight you can operate at ... non-utilized space is not necessarily under-utilized space. And in cases where a truck has extra room and could in fact carry more weight, the shipper probably wants exclusive use of the trailer so the carrier doen't tie up his freight perhaps 2 extra days looking for other freight that will fit, going to or along the same route/destination.

And if you're talking about why do shippers typically figure a "load" is 42,000 lbs of product when most trucks could legally handle 44,000 lbs ... it's just easier and more cost effective to operate on the side of caution than to try and push the limit of every single truck where empty weight might vary by 3,000 lbs from one truck to the next and those numbers are baked into the shipping costs and it's an accepted practice and cost of doing business.

 

hmm I get 44 to 45,000 plus frequently, in the winter 42 to 44 is much better due to the extra weight caused by the build up of snow and ice.

however, as previously mentioned, empty space, corner to corner, top to bottom, front to back, really doesn't apply

 

I'm guessing you're just after box/van trailers, so other trailers like belly, side and end-dumps don't apply? The end-dump (sig photo) I pull has a 48.3 sq yd capacity. There's only one product we haul that is loaded "Level Metal", using all that 48.3. It's CML or Buildex®, my gross weight will be around 78k loaded to the gills. Any other product we gross 85.5k and have a lot of empty space. Since we run up and down the highways too, I would think you would need to include these with your attempt to validate your statistic. IMO there are way too many variables to be anywhere close to accurate. Besides, a statistic will tell you what you want it to tell you.

 

Good point Eaton, thanks.

- Matt