Lorry sizes in Malaysia: size chart from 1-ton to 40-foot, and which one you need
A lorry size chart in feet and metres with how much each lorry carries, a quick way to pick the right one, and what to tell suppliers so they send it.
Lorry size chart
Typical cargo space and maximum load of Malaysian lorries, from public operator specifications (2025–2026). Sizes differ a little between companies and lorry bodies:
| Lorry | Cargo space (length × width × height) | Carries up to | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-ton (10 ft) | about 10 × 5 × 5 ft (2.9–3.05 × 1.5 × 1.5 m) | about 1,000 kg | a room, a few pieces of furniture, small-shop stock |
| 3-ton (14 ft) | about 14 × 6.5–7 × 7–7.5 ft (4.2–4.3 × 2.0–2.1 × 2.1–2.3 m) | about 2,500–3,000 kg | a studio or small apartment, a few pallets |
| 5-ton (17 ft) | about 17 × 6.5–7 × 7 ft (5.1–5.2 × 2.0–2.2 × 2.1 m) | about 4,000–5,000 kg | a family house, large loads |
| 20-ft lorry | about 20 × 6.5 × 7 ft (6.0 × 2.0 × 2.1 m) | about 5,000 kg | big house moves, bulk goods |
| 10-ton (24 ft and longer) | 24–27 ft long | about 10,000 kg | bulk goods, building materials, long distance |
| 20-ft container | inside about 19.4 × 7.7 × 7.8 ft (5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m), about 33 m³ | depends on the haulier and route | import and export, factory loads |
| 40-ft container | inside about 39.5 × 7.7 × 7.8 ft (12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m), about 67 m³ | depends on the haulier and route | large shipments, machinery |
One company's 14-ft lorry may carry 2,500 kg and another's 3,000 kg. Measure your biggest item and tell suppliers both the weight and the size.
The quick guide
As a rough guide, for an average load:
- 1-ton lorry (10 ft): a few pieces of furniture, a single room, or stock for a small shop.
- 3-ton lorry (14 ft): a studio or small apartment, or a few pallets of goods.
- 5-ton lorry (17 ft): a family house, or a large load of goods or materials.
- 10-ton lorry & above (24 ft+): bulk goods, heavy building materials and long-distance loads.
- Prime mover and trailer (20-foot or 40-foot): containers, machines and very long or heavy loads.
Every load is different. Describe yours in the request and suppliers will tell you what fits.
Weight and space both matter
A lorry's tonnage is how much weight it may carry. Light, bulky things like furniture and cartons fill the space before they reach the weight limit. Heavy things like tiles, cement or steel reach the weight limit while the lorry still looks half empty. Tell suppliers both the rough weight, if you know it, and the size or number of items.
Box, canvas, open or tipper?
- Box lorry: fully closed, so goods stay dry. Good for furniture, electronics and cartons.
- Canvas lorry: covered with canvas that opens on the sides, which makes loading by forklift easier.
- Open lorry: for building materials and machines. Loads must be strapped and covered.
- Tipper: for sand, soil, gravel and other loose material.
Helpers and loading
Ask whether the driver works alone or brings helpers, and say if you have a forklift, a loading bay or stairs. Long walks from the lorry, stairs without a lift and heavy single items all change how many helpers are needed.
What to put in your request
- What the goods are, roughly how many and how heavy
- Pickup and drop-off towns, and any stops in between
- Floors, lifts and how close the lorry can park
- The date and the time window
- Whether you need helpers, packing or a forklift
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Questions
Is a bigger lorry always safer?
Not always. A lorry that is too big may not fit narrow roads, condo car parks or loading bays, and you may pay for space you don't use. Mention any access limits in your request.
Can one lorry take my goods to several places?
Yes. List every stop in the request, in order, so suppliers can plan the route.
How many tons is a 20-ft lorry?
About 5 tonnes. Malaysian 20-ft lorries typically carry up to about 5,000 kg. A "10-ton" lorry is usually 24 ft or longer.
How big is a 1-ton lorry?
The cargo space is about 10 × 5 × 5 ft (about 3 × 1.5 × 1.5 m) and it carries about 1,000 kg: enough for a room or a few pieces of furniture.