Loading Meter (LDM)

Efficient logistics starts with precise space planning. The Loading Meter (LDM) is the core unit used in European road transport to calculate how much floor space cargo will occupy in a trailer.

What is a Loading Meter?

One loading meter represents 1 linear meter of a trailer's length. Since standard trailers are approximately 2.4 meters wide, 1 LDM is equivalent to roughly 2.4 m² of floor space.

• 1 Euro Pallet (EP) measures 0.8m (length) x 1.2m (width).
• Placing two Euro Pallets side-by-side takes up 0.8 loading meters.

Standard Trailer Capacity

In the EU, the standard length for a Tautliner (curtain-side trailer) is 13.6 loading meters. This standard also applies to MEGA, BOX, and Refrigerated (FRIGO) trailers.

Why 13.6 Meters?

A 13.6m trailer is designed to fit exactly 33 Euro Pallets on the floor without wasting space. The math is simple:

Practical Example: 9 Euro Pallets

If you have a shipment of 9 EP, how many loading meters do they occupy?

• The 9 pallets are arranged as 4 rows of two + 1 single pallet.
• This equals 5 rows in length: 5 x 0.8 m = 4.0 LDM.
• Space remaining: 13.6m - 4.0m = 9.6 LDM available.

Width and Weight Distribution

The internal width of a standard trailer is 2.48m. Cargo wider than 2.50m cannot be transported in standard tautliners and requires FLATBED or OPEN trailers.

Pro Tip: For groupage, always place heavier goods at the rear (over the 3 axles) to maintain vehicle stability and comply with axle load regulations.

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