Shipping Container Transport Trucks: A Comprehensive Guide

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shipping container transport truck near me

When it comes to transporting shipping containers, having the right truck is essential. There are several types of trucks available for this purpose, each with its own capabilities and advantages. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different types of shipping container transport trucks and their specific features. Whether you need to deliver containers within the city, navigate through mountainous roads, or transport containers over long distances, this guide will help you choose the right truck for your needs. shipping container transport truck near me

Tilt-Bed Truck

The Tilt-Bed truck is the smallest truck in the delivery fleet, which makes it ideal for inner-city deliveries, mountain roads, and limited access sites. This truck can deliver containers up to 24′ long or a combination thereof, such as two 10′ containers.

To unload the container, the truck is backed up to the desired location, and the bed is tilted, allowing the container to roll off the back of the truck into position. It is important to note that this truck requires at least 60 feet of straight-line clearance to safely complete the delivery. When placing your order, you will be asked whether you want the container loaded with the doors facing the cab or the rear of the truck, as this determines the final door placement at the site after delivery.

If you have any clearance concerns at the site or along the route, the delivery team can preview the route before delivery to ensure a successful completion. Rental storage containers up to 24′ in size are typically delivered and picked up using Tilt-Bed trucks.

Tilt-Bed Truck and Trailer

For larger container deliveries, the Tilt-Bed truck and trailer combo is the ideal choice. This truck can transport containers up to 45′ in length or a combination thereof, such as two 20′ containers or four 10′ containers.

Similar to the Tilt-Bed truck, the container is unloaded by tilting the trailer after it is backed up to the designated location. The doors of the container can be loaded facing the cab or the rear of the truck, which determines the final door placement at the delivery site.

To ensure a smooth and successful delivery, it is crucial to provide information about any clearance concerns at the site or along the route. The delivery team can preview the route before delivery to confirm that all requirements can be met. The Tilt-Bed truck and trailer combo is commonly used for delivering 40′ standard, 40′ high cube, 45′ high cube, or two 20′ rental storage containers.

Flatbed Truck

If your delivery location is more than 200 miles away from the nearest yard, the Flatbed truck is the recommended option for transporting containers up to 45′ in length. Unlike the Tilt-Bed trucks, containers cannot be placed directly on the ground using a Flatbed truck. Instead, a forklift, crane, or other offloading equipment is required at the delivery site to complete the unloading process.

When scheduling your delivery, it is important to communicate any clearance concerns at the site or along the route. The delivery team can conduct a route preview to ensure a successful delivery. Flatbed trucks are commonly used for long-distance container transport, where the containers need to be offloaded with specialized equipment at the destination.

Side-Lifter Truck

The Side-Lifter truck is the largest truck in the delivery fleet and offers unique capabilities for container transport. This truck uses two sliding cranes mounted towards the front and rear of the trailer to place containers on the ground or lift them onto the trailer. It can transport containers ranging from 20′ to 45′ in length, or two 20 ft containers, as long as they have the necessary bottom ISO corner castings.

One of the main advantages of the Side-Lifter truck is its impressive load capacity of 42,000 lbs. It can easily transfer containers from other trailers or chassis at your site, with a load capacity of up to 72,000 lbs. If a solid level surface is available, the Side-Lifter truck can even stack containers up to two levels high. The driver positions the truck adjacent to the desired container location, sets the outriggers, and then offloads or loads the container from the driver’s side.

When booking your delivery, you will be asked about the container’s door orientation, which determines the final door placement at the delivery site. It is important to note that the Side-Lifter truck is more expensive than other options, primarily because it does not require a 100-feet straight-line clearance for delivery. This truck is commonly used when containers need to be set on elevated platforms or stacked on top of each other.

To ensure a successful delivery, communicate any clearance concerns at the site or along the route. The delivery team can conduct a route preview to confirm that all requirements can be met.

Crane Truck

The Crane truck is an excellent choice when precision placement or unique delivery requirements are involved. This truck can transport containers up to 24′ in length, or multiple 20′ containers to the same location. It is equipped with a crane mounted between the cab and the deck, allowing for efficient loading and unloading of containers.

The crane’s standard reach can place a 20′ container approximately 25′ away from the truck. This truck is operated by a certified crane operator, ensuring safe and precise handling of the containers. If your delivery requires placing containers over a fence, on an elevated platform, or stacking them on top of each other, the Crane truck is the ideal option.

It is important to note that the feasibility of every delivery placement is assessed on a case-by-case basis. The delivery team will evaluate the specific requirements of your delivery and determine if the Crane truck is the best choice for your needs.

Conclusion

Choosing the right shipping container transport truck is crucial for a successful delivery. Whether you need a small truck for inner-city deliveries or a larger truck for long-distance transport, there are various options available to suit your specific requirements. Consider factors such as container size, clearance concerns, and delivery location when selecting the appropriate truck.

Remember to communicate any specific requirements or concerns to the delivery team during the booking process. They can conduct a route preview and provide guidance to ensure a smooth and efficient delivery. By understanding the capabilities of each truck type and considering your unique needs, you can make an informed decision and transport your shipping containers with confidence.