How many 55-gallon drums fit in a 12 t truck?
55-gallon drums of 585 × 585 × 880 mm (also called 200 L drums, 205 L steel drums) in a 12-tonne box truck — inner dimensions 7,300 × 2,480 × 2,500 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Upright, single layer (not stacked). 17% of the space used, 1 layer high, about 5,500 kg (100% of payload). Payload-limited: 48 would fit by space alone. Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (25 on the floor)
Side view — first row along the wall (1 layer)
The answer in detail
A 55 US gallon / 205-litre steel drum is about 585 mm in diameter and 880 mm tall; filled with a water-like liquid it weighs around 220 kg. Drums are modelled here on their square footprint, standing upright and loose (not palletised, not stacked). Palletised drums load as 48 × 48 in pallets, four per pallet.
A 7.3 m rigid body with around 5.5 t of payload — the usual size for regional pallet distribution.
The simple grid estimate is 12 along the length × 4 across × 1 high = 48. The engine's validated plan holds 25, below the raw grid because the payload limit cap the load.
Variants
| Loading rule | Fits | Layers | Volume used | Total weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upright, single layer (not stacked) (headline figure) | 25 | 1 | 17% | 5,500 kg (100% of payload) |
| Drums stacked two high (only if the drum, lid and cargo allow it) | 25 | 2 | 17% | 5,500 kg (100% of payload) |
How many 12 t trucks for a given order?
| 55-gallon drums | 10 | 25 | 50 | 100 | 250 | 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 t trucks needed | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 20 |
| Last one filled to | 40% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
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Frequently asked
How many 55-gallon drums fit in a 12 t truck?
25 55-gallon drums of 585 × 585 × 880 mm fit in a 12 t truck (inner dimensions 7,300 × 2,480 × 2,500 mm), upright, single layer (not stacked). That uses 17% of the 45.3 m³ available and weighs about 5,500 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a 12 t truck?
Typical inner dimensions are 7,300 mm long, 2,480 mm wide and 2,500 mm high (287.4 × 97.6 × 98.4 in), giving 45.3 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 5,500 kg. Individual units vary by a few centimetres, so check the actual box for tight loads.
Why does the payload limit matter for 55-gallon drums?
Geometrically 48 55-gallon drums would fit, but at about 220 kg each the 12 t truck's 5,500 kg payload is reached at 25. Heavy cargo fills the weight allowance before the space.
How was this number calculated?
By running the Cubestow 3D load-planning engine on the exact dimensions above, allowing rotation on the floor plane only, no stacking and the container's payload limit, then re-validating the plan for overlaps, support and weight. Real loads leave room for dunnage, door clearance and uneven cartons, so treat the figure as the practical maximum.