48 × 40 × 30 in 5-Wall Gaylord Box
A 48 × 40 × 30 in 5-wall Gaylord is a 33.3 ft³ bulk container on a GMA pallet footprint, rated to 3,000 lb static load (TAPPI T 811 ECT 32+). The de facto automotive Tier 1/2 ship-back size.
Specifications
All structural ratings reference TAPPI T 811 (ECT), TAPPI T 810 (Mullen burst), and the GMA 48 × 40 in pallet standard.
| Outside dimensions | 48 × 40 × 30 in (48″L × 40″W × 30″H) |
| Interior dimensions | ~47.5″ × 39.5″ × 29.5″ (5-wall thickness ≈ 0.5″/side) |
| Interior volume | 33.3 ft³ · 0.945 m³ · 945 L · 250 US gal |
| Empty weight | ~25 lb (varies by liner basis weight) |
| Static load rating | Up to 3,000 lb (column-stacked, new condition) |
| Edge Crush Test (ECT) | 32+ ECT (TAPPI T 811) |
| Burst test (Mullen) | ~600 psi (TAPPI T 810) |
| Construction | 5-wall: 3 kraft liners + 2 corrugated mediums (BC double-wall) |
| Liner basis weight | 33-42 lb/Msf kraft (HTP-41 available) |
| Pallet match | Standard 48 × 40 in GMA pallet |
| Stack tier | short format (30 in height) |
| 53-ft trailer capacity | ~30 boxes single-stacked, ~60 double-stacked |
48×40×30 calculator
Box count for a given product volume, pallet stack height for a given fill weight, and trailer load count.
Enter the total volume of product you need to ship. We'll estimate the box count assuming a typical 85% fill rate (real loads rarely pack to 100% of interior volume).
Boxes needed
36
of 48 × 40 × 30 in (≈ 85% fill)
Estimates only. Real freight planning depends on actual product density, pallet build, dunnage, and carrier equipment.
48×40×30 vs other 48 × 40 in heights
All sizes share the GMA pallet footprint; only the height changes.
| Size | Volume (ft³) | Liters | Trailer (single) | Trailer (double) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 × 40 × 24 in | 26.7 | 756 | ~30 | ~60 |
| 48 × 40 × 28 in | 31.1 | 881 | ~30 | ~60 |
| 48 × 40 × 30 in | 33.3 | 945 | ~30 | ~60 |
| 48 × 40 × 36 in | 40.0 | 1,133 | ~30 | ~60 |
| 48 × 40 × 40 in | 44.4 | 1,258 | ~26 | ~52 |
| 48 × 40 × 42 in | 46.7 | 1,322 | ~26 | ~52 |
| 48 × 40 × 45 in | 50.0 | 1,416 | ~26 | — |
| 48 × 40 × 48 in | 53.3 | 1,510 | ~26 | — |
5-wall 48×40×30 vs tri-wall and IBC
The two closest alternatives to a 5-wall corrugated Gaylord for industrial bulk shipping.
| Attribute | 5-wall 48×40×30 | Tri-wall 48×40×30 | Plastic IBC (275-330 gal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static load rating | Up to 3,000 lb | Up to 1,500 lb | Up to 2,000 lb (liquid) |
| ECT (TAPPI T 811) | 32+ | ~24 | N/A (rigid plastic) |
| Empty weight | ~25 lb | ~18 lb | ~120-150 lb (with cage) |
| Interior volume | 33.3 ft³ | 33.3 ft³ (same nominal) | ~37-44 ft³ (275-330 gal) |
| Cost tier | Mid (corrugated) | Lower | Highest (rigid plastic) |
| Reuse cycles (typical) | 5-8 (standard), 12-20 (HTP-41) | 2-4 | 25+ (with reconditioning) |
| Recyclable end-of-life | Yes — OCC fiber | Yes — OCC fiber | HDPE recovery (varies regionally) |
| Best for | Dry / solid bulk industrial | Light dry, one-way ship | Liquids and viscous bulk |
48 × 40 × 30 in 5-wall Gaylord FAQs
What are the interior dimensions of a 48 × 40 × 30 in Gaylord box?
Approximately 47.5 × 39.5 × 29.5 in interior, giving roughly 31.6 ft³ of usable internal volume.
How much does an empty 48 × 40 × 30 in 5-wall Gaylord weigh?
Approximately 23-27 lb for standard 33-42 lb/Msf liner grades. HTP-41 builds run 30-36 lb.
Why is 48 × 40 × 30 in such a common automotive Gaylord size?
Many Tier 1/2 automotive suppliers spec 30 in tall containers because it matches their internal rack height and lets a typical stand-up forklift operator load and unload without ladders. 30 in is also the standard for stamped-parts ship-back programs.
What's the static load rating?
Up to 3,000 lb when new, properly stacked on a flat pallet. The 5-wall construction at 32+ ECT (TAPPI T 811) supports this rating across the standard 48 × 40 in footprint.
How many 48 × 40 × 30 boxes fit on a 53-foot trailer?
About 30 single-stacked, 60 double-stacked. The 30 in height plus a 5 in GMA pallet leaves clearance to stack two-high in a standard 110 in interior trailer.
Can I double-stack 48 × 40 × 30 boxes on the warehouse floor?
Yes — column rule (stack height × filled weight ≤ 3,000 lb). With full flap bottom construction, two-high is standard. Three-high is feasible at lighter fill weights.
What's the difference between 48 × 40 × 30 and 48 × 40 × 36 sizes?
Both share the GMA pallet footprint. The 30 in holds 33.3 ft³; the 36 in holds 40 ft³ (20% more). Use the 30 for dense product or programs spec'd around 30 in racking; the 36 is the more general-purpose default.
Can I order food-grade 48 × 40 × 30 Gaylords?
Yes — pair new virgin-kraft boxes with FDA-compliant 3-6 mil PE liners (21 CFR 177.1520). The liner is the food-contact surface; the box is structural.
Lead time for 48 × 40 × 30 Gaylord boxes?
Stock orders ship in 2-5 business days; custom prints 2-3 weeks longer.
Are 48 × 40 × 30 in Gaylords available in used or scrap condition?
Yes. Used inspected condition saves 40-70% versus new for internal-use programs. Scrap condition is sold for fiber recovery only.
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