Most industries transport finished products in large containers and hence the need for container trailers. Containers remain one of the safest ways of transporting fragile and sensitive goods.
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The packaging requirements in terms of height and weight vary across countries. Hence, container trailers have different designs and specs to accommodate different capacities of containers.
In this post, we have discussed everything you to know about container trailers. The main lessons covered in the post include:
Here are the specifications sheets of the container trailer for reference, you can learn the detailed parameters, height, capacity of the trailer.
The specs are important for buying a right container trailer.
Container trailers are mostly designed in three major types that include a flatbed model, a chassis model, and a container side lifter trailer. In this post, we shall cover the flatbed and chassis models.
The most common types of flatbed trailers have two beams that are longitudinally spaced from each other. The beams are connected using cross sills or multiple transverse beams, which are firmly welded on the longitudinal beams.
The frame of flatbed trailers provides a rigid and strong structure that holds the wheels, landing gear, floor or bed, kingpin and the suspension system.
The stability of these components depends on the strength of the frame. Hence, most models of trailers have frames made of aluminum or steel beams.
Trailers made of aluminum have a different weight capacity from those made of steel. The prices differ too based on the material. Aluminum trailers are preferred because they are lightweight.
However, the trailers are expensive compared with the heavier steel trailers. The minimum weight of steel flatbed trailer is 10,000 pounds while the minimum weight of aluminum flatbed trailers is 8,500 pounds.
The difference in weight means that companies can ship more goods with aluminum trailers while observing the legal requirements on the maximum weight of trailers.
Countries set different limits on the total weight of trailers that includes the weight of the load, tractor, and trailer. Both steel and aluminum container trailers can transport loads that exceed the legal weight limits.
As mentioned earlier, aluminum flatbed trailers can transporter heavier loads than trailer with a steel frame. The benefit of this is that transport companies reduced labor costs, wear and tear, and fuel consumption.
The saved costs compensate for the high initial cost of buying the trailer. Flatbed container trailers with aluminum frame are generally more efficient in transport operations.
The design of the 20ft / 40ft flatbed container trailer has been made in consideration with the legal industry requirements for container trailers.
For this reason, the initial push was for a lightweight flatbed trailer that can haul different payloads of up to about 36,000Kg.
This particular design has a weight advantage of about Kg and Kg over traditional steel and aluminum trailers respectively.
This allows an extra load of the same weight per trip. This extra payload can offer a good extra profit before the life span of the trailer lapses. Essentially, it helps the user have maximum benefit from such an investment.
The trailer’s lightweight structure is due to a comparatively thin bottom plate attached to a strong and lightweight cellular stiffening framework made from several intersecting partitions that form several polygonal cells,
and multiple carefully spaced stiffened slats attached to the upper part of the stiffening framework in order to anchor the flatbed floor.
The layered framework is set so that the upper plate serves as a stressed outer skin that helps in the distribution of the loan evenly over the slats.
Ultimately, this helps in the distribution of the load in a uniform manner over the cellular stiffening framework.
This is good for the efficient distribution of the load uniformly over the base plate and anchor members where the base plate acts as a stressed outer skin.
What you have in the end is a structure that is light due to the well-distributed load forces through an integrated stressed-member system.
Despite the light construction, this framework is able to carry loads up to and above the most common weight standard limits. Ideally, a light weight container trailer provides more load capacity.
In line with one aspect of the fabrication, the intersecting partitions are offered with interlocking slots to enhance assembly.
Again, slots are provided on the upper edge of the choice partitions to allow the receipt of slats that transfer the load forces from the floor of the trailer to the cellular stiffening structure.
One of the challenges of using containers in transportation is that the containers come in different size. Hence, some containers require special vehicles for transportation because of their dimensions.
Companies require a transport solution that can adopt to different sizes and types of containers. In addition, many states have implemented bridging laws, which define the distance between the rear and front wheels of heavy-duty vehicles.
Container chassis trailer are designed to overcome these challenges.
The need for a truck chassis capable of taking high weight containers without loading and offloading issues prompted such a design. This is what you will be going for if you have such needs.
Again, the container chassis trailer provides you with the option of taking high weight container while at the same time giving you options to make adjustments to desirable maneuverability.
This type of trailer is a simple yet strong and is capable to serve you even in rugged topography.
One defining characteristic of the chassis trailer is the fact that it can transport different sizes of containers such as the 45ft, 40ft and the 20ft long containers.
This is a fixed structure commonly used in the transportation of containers. It is mainly of a steel construction where containers are loaded and offloaded using overhead cranes.
It has a landing gear that is used to enhance stability during loading and offloading operations.
It can be used for loading and transporting 20ft, 40ft and 45ft container. With well-marked positions, you can load your container and move it to your desired destination with ease.
It is simple to use and most importantly, affordable. However, the need for external accessories could possibly delay the operations.
Protocols are defined for moving a container from a first position centered along the chassis and a second position flush with the back of the chassis.
In a recommended embodiment, the front chassis portion is lifted with respect to the back portion. This way, the bolster slides along a surface that is lower than the front region.
As the bolster goes to its back most position, the chassis can have room for a larger container.
Function is like the load positioning chassis, but it can extend from the rear, so that the trailer is shorter as is the case with the common model.
The conventional models of container chassis can be adjusted to handle containers of different sizes. The position of the wheels of this model of trailer can also be adjusted to comply with the legal requirements.
The basic requirement in most when using container chassis trailers is that the chassis should have a greater length that the container or load.
The main advantage of this structure is that you can transport a sealed container from one state to another. You will not be required to unpack and reload the container trailer when crossing borders.
The load must be position of the center of the floor or bed to keep the trailer balanced. It is easier to load a container that occupies nearly the full length of the floor or bed.
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Longer chassis trailers also lead to unnecessary traffic congestion in cities. Despite the challenges associated with these trailers, the vehicles offer unique solutions to companies that handle different types of loads.
Both flatbed and chassis trailers have gooseneck models. One of the advantages of buying gooseneck models over other models is that gooseneck trailers are more stable and safer than other trailers.
The rear axle supports the largest percentage of the weight of the load in a gooseneck model. This means that the trailer does not depend on the frame to support the load and this keeps it stable.
Gooseneck trailers carry heavier weights and are easier to maneuver on the road than other trailers. The structure of gooseneck models of container trailer is illustrated in the pictures below.
In some countries, the gooseneck flatbed trailer is referred to as a drop deck trailer. The main advantage of drop deck trailers is that they can transport containers or loads that exceed the legal height limit.
Loading drop deck trailers is also easy and efficient compared to other models of trailers.
The container tilt or tipping trailers have a different structure than other container trailers. This model of trailers has an apparatus that simplifies the process of loading a container on the trailer bed.
The trailer consists of upper and lower frames, which are attached using a pivot device.
Ideally, the container tipping trailer is for easy unloading or loading the container in the place without crane. It has a hydraulic cylinder to raise the upper platform.
Ideally, this is a simple construction of a trailer.
The offloading process allows the container to fall steadily by gravity. When the container is unlocked and let loose from the top of the trailer, it is allowed to fall off freely backwards.
This is facilitated as the trailer tilts downwards. Once the container touches the ground on the back end, the truck moves forward and that way, the container will continue to slide slowly.
Essentially, the common container tipper is just like a tipper trailer, but without the tipping bucket.
This type is more expensive, but at the same time more convenient to use. It can be used for loading and transporting containers. Most importantly, it is safer to use when unloading a container more than any other.
The upper frame has a roller located at a distance from the pivot device that attaches it to the lower frame. The roller can rotate around the point at which it is mounted on the upper frame.
With this design, the roller can move along the upper frame pivotally with respect to the other lower frame. The tipping trailer has an extension arm as well, which is longitudinally contractible.
This simplifies the process of loading a container on the trailer. The extension arms can also extend outwardly and facilitate the unloading process.
The pivotal drive of the upper frame leads to a change in the distance between the cable securement point and the roller with regard to the lower frame and the variation in the distance between the roller and the cable securement point with regard to the structure of the container hence attaining the lift and movement of the container without the need for any external power or a winch device to alter the cable distance.
In the recommended configuration, the lower frame is also pivotally attached in relation to the truck body to enhance a dumping operation attained through pivotal movement about the hinging point of the lower frame instead of that of the upper frame.
This movement is normally used for dumping operations.
Otherwise, when the lower frame member is fit in relation to the truck body, then the pivotal movement of the upper frame member bout the axis of the hinging point will attain the loading and/or offloading position as desired.
After learning about the types of container trailers, you can also read the following article:
How to Load Shipping Containers on Trailers?
Another important part of these trailers is the container lock. This is a chassis lock that is used for locking a trailer chassis to your container body. It is provided with a locking cavity in it.
This includes a handle, a wall means with a striker angle slot that is defined, a sleeve fixed to the handle and extending via the striker angle slot, a striker angle plate fitted to the sleeve and formed in a manner to fit into the striker angle slot in at leats two rotatable separate positions, a shaft extension usually carried at one end together with the sleeve and the again extending at the opposite end into the container cavity, a slip joint linking up with the sleeve to the shaft extension and a safe locking plate with an elongated shape carried through the shaft extension.
All these trailer types are designed for different application and use. As a result, each has its own advantages over the rest in order to fit the application for which it was designed for. Here are some of the major advantages of each one of them:
Why the Tipping Trailer? Obviously, every trailer solves provides a unique solution and here are basically some of the main ones to consider:
Your choice among these types of trailers first depends on your preferences based on the type of job you need done. Generally, the choice is usually made based the following:
All these trailers can carry a considerable amount of weight. However, the 2 axles / 3 axles container chassis trailer is of much help when weight considerations are to be made. Its construction has primarily been made to provide a chassis that can help you carry high weight containers. Most importantly, this can be adjusted to meet your desired conditions of maneuverability, loading, offloading and axle spacing.
Based on the amount of cargo to carry, trailer considerations can be made looking at the number of axles for each trailer. They could be 2 axles or 3 axles. Don’t expect one with more than 3 axles because a container’s max weight capacity is 30 tons. For instance, the flatbed trailer structure has a capability of supporting a number of wheel axle assemblies at different positions along the trailer length.
If you use the trailer to transport not only container, but also some other cargo, it is better to choose the flatbed trailer type. The container chassis is only used for container. Should your work require loading and offloading at certain inclined positions, then the container tilt trailer would be the best choice for you.
Cost is also an important factor to consider in your choice of a trailer. If all you need is a simple trailer for a simple application, it wouldn’t be wise to choose the container tilt trailer. The container tilt type trailer has a higher price than the rest. This is primarily due to its advanced lifting system. A flatbed or a container chassis will do.
This is an ultimate trailer guide to help you understand different trailers and their operation-ability. Each is designed to serve a certain function and based on your needs and preferences, you can make any of them your choice. This information will guide you into making the right choice of a trailer for your application.