16 Feet Truck Dimensions in India: Payload, Top Models & Capacity

The 16 ft truck sits exactly at the crossroads between a light delivery vehicle and a proper medium haulier. And most buyers either overbuy or settle for too little by missing it entirely.

Most people who should be running a 16 ft truck either squeeze cargo into a 14-footer and make two trips, or jump straight to a 19 ft truck and run it half-empty. The 16 ft is a precise tool for a precise job. Here is everything you need to know before you book or buy one.

What Are the Exact Dimensions of 16 Feet Truck in India?

The cargo body of a standard 16 ft truck in India measures:

Internal cargo volume:

• Closed body: 16 × 7 × 6 = 672 CFT (cubic feet) — roughly 19 CBM

• Open platform: 16 × 7 = 112 sq ft of usable deck area

In practical terms, a 16 ft closed body truck fits the packed contents of a well-furnished 2 BHK apartment. If you're moving manufactured goods from a small factory to a regional distributor, this is the size that clears the floor in one load.

The 16 ft body sits on a 6-tyre chassis with a single rear axle. The full truck length (including cab) is approximately 22–23 ft (6.7–7 m), so factor that in when you're navigating narrow loading bays or factory gates.

One thing most shippers overlook: these trucks measure 16 ft on the body. The overall vehicle is longer. Check gate clearances at your loading point, not just the road.

For a full comparison of all truck sizes used in Indian logistics, see our truck dimensions in feet in India guide.

16 Feet Truck Load Capacity: What Can It Actually Carry?

A 16 ft truck in India is a 6-wheeler (single rear axle) operating in the Light-to-Medium Commercial Vehicle range. The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) sits around 7,500 kg.

Typical payload for this size:

Because this is a single-axle truck, there is no SXL vs MXL split here. That distinction applies to larger HCV-class trucks from 19 ft upward. What you get is one configuration: a compact, manoeuvrable 6-wheeler with honest carrying capacity for its size.

The most common loading mistake with a 16 ft truck is confusing volume with weight. The body has space for 672 CFT of goods, but the moment your load exceeds 4–4.5 tonnes, you are overloaded, regardless of how much empty space is still visible. Overloading a commercial vehicle in India can attract fines starting from ₹20,000 under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, with repeat offences carrying significantly higher penalties.

Best 16 Feet Trucks in India : Top Models in 2026

The 16 ft body is offered primarily on LCV-to-MCV chassis in the 7,000–8,000 kg GVW class. Here are the leading options:

The Eicher Pro 2059XP is the dominant choice in this category. Its 3-litre CRS diesel engine, 120 HP output, and customisable body option (CBC or HSD) make it the default 16 ft truck for most logistics operators. The CNG variant suits operators running fixed urban circuits where CNG stations are accessible.

The Tata 407 Gold SFC is worth considering if budget is the primary constraint. It enters the market at under ₹11 lakh and is backed by Tata's widely distributed service network. However, with a lower payload ceiling and shorter wheelbase, it suits lighter 16 ft loads rather than maxing out the body.

Open Body vs Closed Container : Which Do You Need?

At 16 ft, you'll typically choose between two body types:

1 : Open platform (flatbed / high-side deck)

The deck is exposed, with raised sides that can be wood or metal. Loading is easy from the sides and top. Ideal for goods that aren't weather-sensitive — steel rods, bricks, agricultural produce, machine parts. Tarpaulin covers are commonly used for partial weather protection.

2 : Closed container (box body)

Fully enclosed cargo space with rear shutters or doors. Protects goods from rain, dust, and pilferage. Used for packaged goods, FMCG cases, electronics, garments, and anything that needs to arrive clean and undamaged.

At the 16 ft size, closed body trucks are growing in preference among FMCG distributors and e-commerce operators who previously used tempo vans but have outgrown them. Open bodies remain dominant for construction materials, agri-produce, and industrial goods.

What Is a 16 Feet Truck Best Used For?

The 16 ft is a transitional size that hits a useful sweet spot for several specific operations:

Kirana and Wholesale Grocery Distribution: 

Replenishing shops in secondary and tertiary towns, where the roads are narrow enough that a 19-footer creates problems but a 14-footer runs too frequently. The 16 ft truck completes regional kirana routes in one trip.

Regional Vegetable and Fruit Mandis

Produce markets require early-morning delivery windows. The 16 ft platform body is easy to load quickly and handles the volume of a mid-size mandi run without needing a larger, more expensive vehicle.

Factory-to-Distributor Dispatches

Small-to-medium manufacturers dispatching finished goods to their nearest distributors. Paint companies, packaged food units, small appliance makers often find this is the right size for 3–4 tonne consignments on 150–400 km runs.

E-commerce Regional Fulfilment

Mid-tier e-commerce hubs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities use 16 ft closed body trucks to move sorted parcels from state hubs to district-level delivery centres.

Construction Material Supply

Sand, gravel, bricks, and short steel sections for mid-size construction projects, particularly in towns and semi-urban areas where a larger truck would face access issues.

Household Relocation

A 16 ft closed body truck moves a 2 BHK apartment comfortably. Packers and movers operators regularly use this size for intracity and short-haul intercity moves.

16 Feet Truck Checklist

Before you book or buy a 16 ft truck in India, consider these three questions:

1. Is your load between 2.5 and 4 tonnes per trip? 

If yes, this size is built for you. If your loads are regularly below 2 tonnes, a 14 feet truck will be more cost-effective. If you're consistently at 5+ tonnes, move up.

2. Are your routes under 400 km or within a state? 

The 16 ft truck's smaller engine and single-axle setup make it most economical for regional and intra-state runs. For cross-country freight at full load, a 19 ft or larger truck typically offers better per-tonne economics.

3. Do your loading and unloading points accommodate a 22–23 ft overall vehicle?

The truck is 16 ft on the body, but 22–23 ft total. Factory gates, market lanes, and shop fronts need to accommodate that. If clearances are very tight, a 14 ft truck may be the safer choice.

If you answered yes to all three, the 16 footer truck is your ideal choice. If your load is bigger or your route is longer, check our 17 feet truck dimensions guide for the next step up. For smaller loads, a 14 ft truck will serve you better without the extra running cost.

Legal Limits and Permits You Need to Know

Under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) and the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2019, key limits for a 16 ft / 6-wheeler LCV-MCV truck in India are:

• Maximum GVW: 7,500 kg for a 6-tyre single-axle vehicle of this class (confirm with manufacturer spec sheet for your model)

• Maximum width: 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) : the cargo body at 7 ft (2.13 m) is within this limit

• Maximum height: 4.75 metres (15.6 ft) for closed bodies : a 16 ft truck well within this

• Maximum length: 12 metres (39.4 ft) for rigid trucks : the 16 ft body truck at ~7 m is well within this

No special Over-Dimensional Cargo (ODC) permits are required for standard loads on a 16 ft truck. Oversized or abnormal cargo (exceeding standard width, height, or length) would require ODC permits regardless of truck size.

Overloading penalties start at ₹20,000 for the first offence and increase for repeat violations. Weight bridges operate on most national highways. Running overloaded is never worth it.

Before You Book This 16 Feet Truck

• Confirm the body type before booking: open platform or closed container? Many operators default to open, but your cargo may need a closed body

• Check the actual payload spec of the specific model being offered : payload varies between variants of the same truck family

• Measure your loading point gate : confirm the overall vehicle length (~22–23 ft) can enter and turn around

• Clarify tarpaulin provision if booking an open body for goods that need weather protection

• Confirm fuel type : diesel is standard, but CNG variants are available in some cities at significantly lower per-km fuel cost

Looking for verified 16 ft truck listings? Explore available trucks and check EMI options on TruckOnWheels.