28 Feet Truck Dimensions in India: Payload, Top Models & Use Cases

You have 18 to 20 tonnes of steel coils, cement bags, or industrial machinery to move across 600 kilometres. A 32-foot container feels like overkill, and a 24-footer won't cut it on payload. That's exactly where the 28-foot truck earns its place. A multi-axle HCV (Heavy Commercial Vehicle) designed for dense, heavy cargo over long hauls. Here's everything you need to know before you book a 28 feet truck in India.

Exact Dimensions of a 28 Feet Truck in India

The 28 feet figure refers to the load body length — the cargo space. The truck's total length, including the cab, is longer.

Open body (platform/flatbed):

• External cargo body: 28 ft × 7.8 ft × 4.5 ft (L × W × H of side boards)

• In metres: 8.53 m × 2.38 m × 1.37 m

• Usable cargo volume: approximately 980–1,050 CFT (cubic feet)

Closed container body:

• External body: 28 ft × 7.8 ft × 7.5 ft (L × W × H)

• In metres: 8.53 m × 2.38 m × 2.29 m

• Internal cargo volume: approximately 1,300–1,400 CFT

For full size comparisons across all truck lengths in India, visit our truck dimensions in feet in India guide.

Here's what most people don't realise: 1,300 CFT of internal space is enough for roughly 700–750 standard cartons of FMCG goods, or a full consignment of 7-8 mm TMT steel bars running wall-to-wall.

28 Feet Truck Loading Capacity

The 28-foot truck is firmly in HCV (Heavy Commercial Vehicle) territory. It operates as a multi-axle 10-wheeler (6×4 or 10-tyre configuration) in most commercial applications.

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): 28,000 kg

Typical payload: 18,000 – 20,000 kg (18–20 tonnes) for haulage variants

Payload for tipper/construction variants: up to 22,000–25,000 kg depending on axle configuration

The multi-axle setup, meaning multiple rear axles distributing load across 10 tyres, is what makes this payload possible within India's legal axle load limits. Single-axle trucks do not come in 28-foot body lengths; if you're looking at a 28-footer, you're looking at a multi-axle vehicle.

Best 28 Feet Trucks in India : Top Models in 2026

The Mahindra Blazo X 28 stands out for value. Its mPower 7.2L FuelSmart BS6 engine and 415-litre fuel tank make it well-suited for 500–800 km long-haul runs where fuel costs eat into margins. It also comes with a 6-year/6-lakh km warranty, which is among the strongest in its class.

Open Body vs Closed Container: Two Types to Choose From

Open Body (flatbed/platform)

Your best choice when cargo is oversized, self-supporting, or needs to be loaded from the sides by crane. Steel rods, I-beams, TMT bars, cement bags, large machinery, and pipes all travel better on an open platform. Loading and unloading is faster, and you don't pay a premium for a container body you don't need.

Closed Container Body 

Go closed when your cargo needs protection from rain, dust, or pilferage. FMCG goods, packaged pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, and bagged agricultural produce all need the weatherproof environment of a closed box. Closed containers also allow for reefer (refrigerated) body fitment on this chassis, making the 28-footer a capable cold chain vehicle for perishables on medium-to-long haul routes.

A simple rule: if your cargo would be ruined by a two-hour rain delay, book a closed container.

Best Use Cases of 28 Feet Truck in India

1. Steel and Metal Products

TMT bars, MS plates, and coil stock are dense, heavy, and need the flat open-body platform that a 28-footer provides. The 18–20-tonne payload maxes out the cargo without the truck being under-utilised.

2. Cement and Construction Materials

Bulk cement bags, bricks, and aggregates move efficiently on this size for 300–700 km inter-district and inter-state runs to large construction sites.

3. FMCG and Consumer Goods

Regional distribution centres replenishing state stockists use 28-foot closed containers for full truck loads of packaged goods, especially where 32-footers are excessive and 24-footers come up short on payload.

4. Automobile Components

Large auto parts, pressed body panels, and sub-assemblies moving between tier-1 supplier plants and OEM assembly lines often fill a 28-foot closed container to both its weight and volume limits simultaneously.

5. Industrial Machinery and Equipment

Factory relocations, plant installations, and heavy equipment deliveries frequently require the 28-foot platform's combination of payload and deck length.

6. Food Grain and Agri-commodities

Paddy, wheat, and pulses moving from mandis to warehouses or flour mills use this size for state-level full truckload (FTL) consignments, especially in Haryana, Punjab, MP, and UP.

3 Questions YOU Must Ask Yourself

Before confirming your booking, run this check:

Question 1: Does your cargo weigh between 15 and 20 tonnes? 

If yes, the 28-footer is your size. If your cargo is under 10 tonnes, you're paying for capacity you don't need. If your cargo exceeds 22 tonnes, step up to a 30 or 32 feet truck in India.

Question 2: Is your cargo bulk and dense, or lightweight and voluminous?

Dense cargo (steel, cement, machinery): the 28-footer is ideal. Lightweight, high-volume cargo (foam, packaged chips, PET bottles): consider moving to a 32-foot high-cube container for volume capacity instead.

Question 3: Does your loading or unloading point have road access for a 10-tyre multi-axle truck? 

A 28-foot loaded HCV is a heavy vehicle. Narrow lanes, weight-restricted bridges, or low-clearance docks can block your delivery. Confirm access before booking.

Legal Limits and Permits YOU Should Know

Under India's Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) and the Motor Vehicles Act, the following limits apply to 28-foot multi-axle trucks:

Maximum vehicle width: 2.55 metres (approx. 8.4 ft). Your truck's body width must stay within this

Maximum height (including cargo): 4.75 metres (approx. 15.6 ft)

Maximum GVW for 10-wheeler 6×4 configuration: 28,500 kg as per current axle load norms

ODC (Over Dimension Consignment) permit: Required only if your cargo projects beyond the truck's body dimensions. Standard loads on a 28-footer do not typically require ODC

State entry permits: Required for some states; check the specific permit requirements for your route before departure

Overloading a 28-tonne GVW truck is a ₹20,000 fine per offence under the amended MV Act. And repeat violations can lead to permit suspension. Never accept a load you cannot legally haul.

Checklist to Consider Before Buying a 28 Ft Truck

Confirm the Body Type : Open platform or closed container; mismatching body type with cargo type is the most common booking error

Verify the Chassis Payload, Not the GVW : Your legal load is the payload figure, which is typically 18,000–20,000 kg, not 28,000 kg

Check Route Feasibility : Confirm your route has no weight-restricted bridges or low-clearance structures

Measure Your Cargo Volume : If it exceeds 1,300 CFT, you'll be short on space in a standard closed body; consider a longer option

Confirm Loading/Unloading Dock Height : Minimum 7.5 ft clearance is needed for a closed container vehicle

Ask About the Fuel Tank Size : A 415-litre tank on models like the Blazo X 28 gives you a 700–800 km range without a refuelling stop, crucial for long-haul planning

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