Shipping container trailer

Sparktrician · May 4, 2015

Ok, this might be a stretch....BUT....I have my head set on doing or at least trying this....

SCENARIO

I am a electrical contractor with several jobs coming up that on site storage will be needed, secure on site storage. I have in the past used a CONEX box/shipping container. It was a 40' one, and I wound up selling it to the customer of the job it was on when I was done with it.

Now, I am looking at 20's. I want to set one up (eventually several if this works ok) so that I can move them myself. (yes, the companies you buy them from will transport, but it is a PITA.)

I have a setup in mind using hydraulics to lower walking beam axles that would allow the unit to be basically set right on the ground, and picked up and moved with a truck.

QUESTIONS
1) Does not having a suspension (leaf springs or torsion) affect how a trailer pulls. I am not conserned about how it rides.
2) What is the maximum legal width of a trailer

DeltaRed · May 4, 2015

Buy one of those 'box' trailers that I see most every contractor use. or get a older semi trailer.Too old for truckers,new enough to be safe.

Sparktrician · May 4, 2015

The trouble with a van trailer (semi trailer) is they are so high off the ground, ill store threaders and benders in this, and those make it practically impossible to move equipment in and out of daily. Also they are so easy to cut into, the shipping container would make them at least have to have a oxy/act. torch......slow em down a little bit....lol

JMS/.MN · May 4, 2015

Max legal trailer width is 102 inches. My concern with your idea would be roadability, but if built right, would work. Cargo trailers are common, another good choice, and ready-made.

Bill in IL · May 4, 2015

You should search the web or Government liquidation for an M832 dollyset. The M720s and M840s were lighter and their was on heavier model but don't know the designation for it. It was designed to do exactly what you are trying to do on military shelters. I am sure you could adapt it to a shipping container.

CJinMI · May 4, 2015

Google military container dolly.
Saw one on a craigsist awhile back,
don't remember where, SW MI someplace,
so must be available surplus ?

CJinMI · May 4, 2015

typing the samew time as Bill

rustyfarmall · May 4, 2015

(quoted from post at 11:33:47 05/04/15) Ok, this might be a stretch....BUT....I have my head set on doing or at least trying this....

SCENARIO

I am a electrical contractor with several jobs coming up that on site storage will be needed, secure on site storage. I have in the past used a CONEX box/shipping container. It was a 40' one, and I wound up selling it to the customer of the job it was on when I was done with it.

Now, I am looking at 20's. I want to set one up (eventually several if this works ok) so that I can move them myself. (yes, the companies you buy them from will transport, but it is a PITA.)

I have a setup in mind using hydraulics to lower walking beam axles that would allow the unit to be basically set right on the ground, and picked up and moved with a truck.

QUESTIONS
1) Does not having a suspension (leaf springs or torsion) affect how a trailer pulls. I am not conserned about how it rides.
2) What is the maximum legal width of a trailer

If there is no suspension, the trailer will not stay in contact with the roadway, unless you are willing to travel at a very slow speed, and I mean slow. If the trailer tires are not in contact with the road, it most likely will not remain in line with the towing vehicle, and will be a real danger to those who share the road with you.

jon f mn · May 4, 2015

Most folks who move those like you want use roll off flat beds like the tow trucks. Dart does thousands of those containers for storage and they have a few of those roll offs at each terminal. I've built 3 trailers for a guy to do that, 2-25' 14k's and and a 35' 20k. But they have a lot of time and material in them so they are expensive. If you want I can semd you some pics of one so you can see how I did them. I would think you could find a tow opperator with a roll off to move them economically if your only moving a few times a year.

VaTom · May 4, 2015

Here's mine, correct for shipping containers. However, without an M35 or other military truck with air over hydraulics, the brakes won't work. Each axle has self-contained hydraulic brakes and self-contained hydraulic for lifting the container into position. These were not designed for heavily loaded containers. An Oregon buddy with one had to use hydraulic jacks to lift the container to road position, then it worked well. No broken axles.
<image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto20366.jpg"/>

<image src="http://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/photos/mvphoto20367.jpg"/>

VaTom · May 4, 2015

Forgot to mention why I bought mine ($500). It's a do-anything trailer, missing the bed. Add I beams, and it's a cabin mover. Or a boulder mover with a shorter bed. Weight limitations obviously, but extremely versatile.

moresmoke · May 4, 2015

Local contractor has converted several to hook lift. They have a truck they use primarily as a dump/refuse hauler, but can drop the dump body and pick up their 20'containers.

Mel in SW Iowa · May 4, 2015

The first motorcycle trailer I had, I made out of a one piece rear end with an integral driveshaft tube. Trailed nice and straight, didn't know it was there with a motorcycle on it, but it bounced when empty unless you let some air out of the tires. Solid axle trailer worked well to haul one 300# motorcycle, but I have doubts about heavier loads. I am sure there are limits, but I don't know what they are. Good luck.

Hartman · May 4, 2015

I totally egree on the hook lift system. works great with 20 footers! Also very versitile.Dumpsters,Dump body, flat bed, all in matter of seconds!

1948CaseVAI · May 4, 2015

You see those used for storage around oil rigs. They have very low ground clearance when hooked to the tractor and when they are on the ground at least 3/4 of the trailer floor is parallel to, and resting on, the ground.

When it is off the tractor the wheels, which are set all the way to the rear, come up a few inches above the ground. When attached to the tractor the wheels touch the ground and the trailer floor is just above the ground at the rear.

Hard to explain - wish I had a pic.

jon f mn · May 4, 2015

What your talking about are tanks, not containers.

Fullers Farmalls · May 4, 2015

They do make both tanks and containers like that. The pic is the tanks they use in SW PA to hold fracking water or water for augmentations for streams around the coal mines.

Rollie NE PA · May 4, 2015

I will try to post the pic.

john in la · May 4, 2015

1) No suspension is bad news at road speeds.
2) Legal with on all federal highways and all roads in some states is 102 inches

Some of these guys are all over the place on this.
Those pictures are water tanks not containers.

Most containers are 96 inches wide some are 102 wide.
Two ways to haul containers.
On a pin trailer specially built for containers
Or on a roll back / tilt trailer.
A empty 20 ft container is gona weigh just over 5000 lbs average.

So if you had a 102 wide (about 18 to 20 feet long) trailer with a tilt bed and winch you could easily load and haul a 96 inch wide container.

Rich_WI · May 4, 2015

(quoted from post at 13:33:47 05/04/15) Ok, this might be a stretch....BUT....I have my head set on doing or at least trying this....

SCENARIO

I am a electrical contractor with several jobs coming up that on site storage will be needed, secure on site storage. I have in the past used a CONEX box/shipping container. It was a 40' one, and I wound up selling it to the customer of the job it was on when I was done with it.

Now, I am looking at 20's. I want to set one up (eventually several if this works ok) so that I can move them myself. (yes, the companies you buy them from will transport, but it is a PITA.)

[i:c03200fd2f][b:c03200fd2f]I have a setup in mind using hydraulics to lower walking beam axles that would allow the unit to be basically set right on the ground, and picked up and moved with a truck.[/b:c03200fd2f][/i:c03200fd2f]
QUESTIONS
1) Does not having a suspension (leaf springs or torsion) affect how a trailer pulls. I am not conserned about how it rides.
2) What is the maximum legal width of a trailer

You sound like you are describing the PODS system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q92JNOqlQM They have the Podzilla on the truck, park near the PODS container, lower the wheels, push in so it straddles the PODS, then lift it up so the truck can drive under it. Its a simple system and if you already have a flat truck or trailer, would be a good way to go. At least it would eliminate having to have a seperate truck or trailer around.

I dont know if PODS will sell you a Podzilla but if they did, it would likely be a cheap way to get in the game. Or get somebody to weld up a copy...

http://www.pods.com/commercial/Podzilla-system.aspx

http://www.pods.com/zilla-video.aspx

I think the rollback truck or hook lift truck would be the way to go but just starting out, it would be hard to justify a truck (and plates and insurance) just to move your mobile office once or twice a year. I like the military container movers but only if there was a civilian version but being a military unit, its just too different.

I have looked into this alot, thinking it would be a good part time or retirement business (rentals) but unless you have deep pockets, it would be tough to make a go of it unless you started off cheap and let the rents of the units start to fund the operation.

Dean Olson · May 4, 2015

You'll want some suspension.

I've seen 20' containers set on 20+5' gooseneck dovetail deck over trailers. Drop the ramps and you have a walk in storage trailer that is easily transportable.

moresmoke · May 4, 2015

Ok, some others brought up the frac tanks. What if you took a 20 foot container and put an axle on the closed end, and a drawbar hitch (pintle?) On the other end? You would need a loader or forklift to get hooked up but might be doable, would still need a decent truck to take the tongue load though.

oldtanker · May 4, 2015

Ok, depending on your state, someone is going to want your trailer titled and insured. That means your insurance is going to have to approve it. So that means unlike a farm trailer you most likely won't get away with too much Mickey Mouse stuff.

The put it on a pint all or 5th wheel trailer has about the best merit for all round safety and fewer long term problems for you.

But yer best place to start is both your state law and U.S. DOT. You take it across state lines as part of a business and DOT applies.

Rick

Sparktrician · May 5, 2015

What adverse affects will no suspension give me? I understand bouncing, but the container is going to weigh 5000+ pounds, so I cant imagine the wheels leaving the road, especially at 40 - 50 mph. Not looking to be on the interstate with this rig.

Sparktrician · May 5, 2015

Those military movers are awesome looking, cant find any for sale though!

Next / latest brain storm is "torsion half axles". I can get a set of 5200# or 7000#, and id put four wheels under it so id be at 10,400 or 14,000 capacity. I could live with those under it, the tires would be beside the container, so it wouldn't be as tall as a "deckover" kinda setup.....the wheels in my noggin keep a turnin.....lol.....that's where the trouble usually starts!

jon f mn · May 5, 2015

(quoted from post at 17:44:20 05/05/15) Those military movers are awesome looking, cant find any for sale though!

Next / latest brain storm is "torsion half axles". I can get a set of 5200# or 7000#, and id put four wheels under it so id be at 10,400 or 14,000 capacity. I could live with those under it, the tires would be beside the container, so it wouldn't be as tall as a "deckover" kinda setup.....the wheels in my noggin keep a turnin.....lol.....that's where the trouble usually starts!

You will be way to wide with this plan.

caterpillar guy · May 6, 2015

Your idea of being able to move a container has merit. I would just mount a winch on the front of a 5th wheel trailer then pull it on when done to move. I am sure there is either somebody with a machine that can drag it off or you can with a snatch block pull it off with your winch. If you added a roller either on the lower front corner or to the rear of the trailer it would pull easier. If it is only about 5000 loaded gross weight it would not take a very big winch. I am sure that there are also people with lowboy trailers that could move it for you( local excavating people).

VaTom · May 9, 2015

"What adverse affects will no suspension give me?"

Appears those opinionated souls don't have an answer. Not surprising, because the answer is NONE. I've been curious what might be proposed. There actually is a small air suspension at each wheel, inflatable.

Mine has no bounce when towed better than 60 mph with no load at all. Towed as the photo shows. Behind something a quarter the weight of my M35, which won't go that fast. Helps to actually experience something to know if it will work or not. The military did a good job with this design.

My advice, from experience, is to do a very wide craigslist search and be willing to travel a couple of states away to bring one home. It is what you were looking for, and should be cheap. My only caution is the way the brakes work (air over hydraulic), which may not be a problem for you. Should come with a long enough cord to make the rear lights work, behind your container. A great piece of machinery, originally bought with your tax dollars, that you could well use.

Shipping container trailer

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