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Something that has puzzled me since I saw the original film in the cinema was in what way would the Falcon be used as a freighter? It is described as such, but where would the freight go?

You could only get a few cubic meters of storage in there. I have looked at the models and schematics and remain unconvinced that it would make a viable freighter.

Alternatively, did it pull or push cargo units similar to how a tractor unit pulls its trailer in an articulated lorry?

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    Quality vs. Quantity of freight ? maybe "spice" was very profitable cargo!
    – Max
    Feb 23, 2014 at 12:52
  • It's a pusher, similar to buses of the same name that have their engines in the rear. There are articulated pushers but by definition no semi-tractor-trailer is ever a pusher.
    – Mazura
    Jan 9, 2021 at 20:18

2 Answers 2

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According to the excellent (albeit not especially canon) Millennium Falcon Haynes Workshop Owner's Manual, the unmodified Millennium Falcon YT-1300 Corellian Light Freighter can hold approximately 25 metric tons of cargo in its primary (and two secondary) holds.

YT-1300 Freighter specification block, noting a cargo capacity of "25 metric tons"

YT-1300 freighter cutaway diagram with the main hold and 2 additional holds indicated

In full cargo-lifter configuration, it can be modified with additional pods and engines allowing over 100 Metric Tons to be carried safely.

For the record, this is what 25 tonnes of sand looks like;

Photograph, looking down from above and behind, of an articulated tipper lorry (semi-trailer dump truck) full of sand

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    Great answer. My concern is where you put that volume. What're is there space for even 25m2 or even 100 m2.
    – KevinColyer
    Feb 23, 2014 at 13:08
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    @KevinColyer - The main hold appears to be at least 8m X 20M. The secondary holds appear to be at least 6m x 6m (each). That kind of space could easily accommodate 25 tons of boxed cargo
    – Valorum
    Feb 23, 2014 at 15:43
  • @KevinColyer - IF you have it in "cargo" configuration, it has bolt-on pods that sit above the saucer...
    – Valorum
    Feb 23, 2014 at 17:51
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    square (or cubic for volume) metreage is not the same as tonnage - you could have small, dense cargo that occupies a small volume.
    – HorusKol
    Feb 23, 2014 at 22:46
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    @WOPR - I was using sand as an example of a typical heavy freight item.
    – Valorum
    Feb 24, 2014 at 7:35
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It was a tug. It would latch on to external containers in addition to internal storage. Its cargo was limitless. That's what the front mandibles are for.

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