Container Chassis and Trailers

A container chassis — a skel trailer — is the frame a shipping container bolts onto so it can be towed. It is the difference between a container that sits in one place forever and a container that moves when the job does. This range also covers plant trailers, tippers and utility trailers for the same reason: once you are moving containers, you are usually moving everything else too.

Skel trailer configurations

• 20ft skel — the common configuration; gooseneck or flat top.
• 40ft skel — longer deck, heavier tare, needs a larger prime mover.
• Skeletal with twist locks — the locking points that secure a container to the frame.
• Tipper and tilt-bed — for aggregate, spoil and plant rather than containers.
• Sled decks and beavertails — for tracked and low-clearance equipment.

What to check before you buy a chassis

Rating and coupling. Confirm the ATM, the coupling type and whether it suits your tow vehicle. A trailer rated above your tow capacity is not useful.

Twist locks. Look at the condition of the locking points. Worn twist locks let a container shift, which is dangerous and illegal to tow.

Brakes and bearings. On a used trailer, this is where the money goes. Electric brakes and bearings are serviceable items; ask when they were last done and check for play.

Registration. A trailer needs to be registered and roadworthy in the state it operates. Confirm what paperwork comes with the unit.

Do you need a chassis at all?

If the container is staying put, no. A chassis only pays for itself if you move the unit regularly, or if you are repositioning containers as part of a business. For a one-off move, hire a truck with the right trailer — it is cheaper than buying a trailer to use twice.

Delivery Australia-wide

Trailers are delivered from our Queensland yard to every state and territory. Delivery of a trailer is usually a tow or a float, quoted against distance and access.

Related

Containers to put on the chassis: 20ft and 40ft. Moving a fitted-out unit: cabins.