Any Long Haul Drivers here? Options

[seanery]

I'm curious about the trailers that carry cargo containers.

-how are containers attached to the trailer? Do they ever come off?
-does the trailer flex?
-does it drive any different than a standard box trailer?
-anything interesting with these?

[URY914]

I'm curious about the trailers that carry cargo containers.

-how are containers attached to the trailer? Do they ever come off?
-does the trailer flex?
-does it drive any different than a standard box trailer?
-anything interesting with these?

The box attaches to the trailer at the corners using a type of clamp that is on the trailer. The box has the holes and the trailer has the moving parts. The crane drops the box on the trailer and with half a turn it is secured. The is a standard system used all over the world as the boxes ship everywhere.

They could come off. Anything CAN happen.

Flex? Some, but the boxes and the trailer are way over designed so they can take abuse. You should see them throwing them around when loading and unloading at a dock.

I would say although I'm no longhaul driver, that would drive a little different.

One interesting thing is they are standard length and width but within them they can be anything. There are tanks, flat beds, reefers, ect. They can be open but still need a frame on them to stack others on top. Also the reefer units must have self contained fuel tanks. So while on ship they must be refilled so they don't run out and shut the unit off.

One of the reasons containerizer shipping took off in the '60-'70s was is the dock workers used to be able to steal everything they could fit in thier lunch boxes. It was part of the longshoreman's union bonus plan. Now dockworkers never know which container is full of Rolexes and which is full of Barbies.
And they don't have the keyes.

Paul