How many 55-gallon drums fit in a LWB panel van?
55-gallon drums of 585 × 585 × 880 mm (also called 200 L drums, 205 L steel drums) in a Long-wheelbase panel van — inner dimensions 3,700 × 1,800 × 1,900 mm. Calculated by the Cubestow engine on 2026-09-08.
Upright, single layer (not stacked). 12% of the space used, 1 layer high, about 1,100 kg (92% of payload). Payload-limited: 18 would fit by space alone. Open this load in the 3D planner →
Top view — floor layer (5 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.
Cargo area of a typical LWB high-roof van (Sprinter / Transit class): 3.7 m long between the bulkhead and the doors, 1.8 m wide at floor level, with wheel arches narrowing the floor to about 1.3 m in the middle — the plan here ignores the arches, so real loads may lose one row.
The simple grid estimate is 6 along the length × 3 across × 1 high = 18. The engine's validated plan holds 5, 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) | 5 | 1 | 12% | 1,100 kg (92% of payload) |
| Drums stacked two high (only if the drum, lid and cargo allow it) | 5 | 2 | 12% | 1,100 kg (92% of payload) |
How many LWB panel vans for a given order?
| 55-gallon drums | 10 | 25 | 50 | 100 | 250 | 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LWB panel vans needed | 2 | 5 | 10 | 20 | 50 | 100 |
| Last one filled to | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Mixed cargo, different carton sizes or delivery stops? Plan the exact shipment in 3D — free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked
How many 55-gallon drums fit in a LWB panel van?
5 55-gallon drums of 585 × 585 × 880 mm fit in a LWB panel van (inner dimensions 3,700 × 1,800 × 1,900 mm), upright, single layer (not stacked). That uses 12% of the 12.7 m³ available and weighs about 1,100 kg.
What are the inner dimensions of a LWB panel van?
Typical inner dimensions are 3,700 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,900 mm high (145.7 × 70.9 × 74.8 in), giving 12.7 m³ of space and a rated payload of about 1,200 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 18 55-gallon drums would fit, but at about 220 kg each the LWB panel van's 1,200 kg payload is reached at 5. 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.