dieselcarpenter

Any body ever turn a Sea Train (shipping container) into a trailer? Anyone modify or use the big rig set up to be pulled by a regular truck? Ever seen one? Is it legal?

ScottN

I've seen a small number of dodges running around here that had some sort of air brake controller installed and an appropriate height fifth wheel... only saw those while driving, not while parked, so I didn't get too good of a look.

Granted, I've also seen a Dodge 3500 registered for a GVW of 70,000 lbs...

dodgeguy71

I'm glad I'm not the only one out there looking at the big truck trailer(the short ones, flat beds) and thinking I wonder how that would work for a trailer behind my dodge??? The only thing I was thinking is....those trailers would be heavy.

Rampage1967

When i was in SF SD there was a company just north of town that ran second gen Dodges with fifth wheels pulling short (40 foot??) semi trailers all time. I have no idea whether they hauled with them or just moved empties with them.
That said, I would think that would be a nasty overload of the tow vehicle.

haulin-rv

We have some container yards around here(it stinks,I do not know why but the drivers are mostly a-holes and will plain run your butt over or off the road), and I have seen the same red mega dually with containers on a flat bed several times. I am guessing he must be hauling empty containers. I had called on one to use for storage a few years back and it was a 40 (I think)and they said it weighed about 7000 pounds empty.

RRAMctd

We were thinking of doing the same type of thing. Putting some type of dollies under a container and welding a temp hitch on. Were thinking of useing the container up north to store stuff. Was not sure how top heavy and structurally sound they would be doing that. The plan was to pull them empty. Never got farther then that. Seeing some pics might reinspire the idea.

pind

The average TARE weight for a 40' seacan is around the 8500lb mark empty.

A 20' can goes around 5500 - 5850 empty. These are the ones I have seen, non-insulated, no reefer, etc.

They make for excellent portable storage units, or small workshops. However, I would not be bothered to pull one with a 1-ton. I appreciate that guys do it, but the combined weight of a can and trailer is only part of the equation.

In a good crosswind, you are now hauling a billboard that is 8 x 40'. It is also much higher than your truck. So, if it wasn't top heavy before, its getting that way in the wind. And, you will feel it. I have seen large RV trailer/3500 combinations blown off the road, and they sit much lower and with less side area for the wind to act against.

Also, stopping is for sure a factor. Not a huge one, based on the actual weight of the load, unless for some reason you thought that it could be hauled with a load in it. Bad idea. I wouldn't be hauling anything that size and shape at any real speed anyway.

Just things to think about.

As far as structure, the intermodal cans have a lot of frame strength. Not a problem there. Those cans will hold a payload of 70 - 100k lbs. They are normally shifted with large forklifts, and there is no visible flex to them when they are being moved.

OneBigDoofus

I've made a few trips after them. The trailer is 37' with two 8000lb axles riding on 17.5' rubber, solid disk hub pilot wheels, electric over hyd. brakes.

This was the breakin trip of the 06,...My 450 handles it bedder but then it get's my wt over 26001lbs


I not sure if this is what yer lookin' for but here's the scale ticket for this load,...I always go to the scales and weigh so when the DOT lawdog peck's on my winder I save him the trouble of haulin me to the scales LOL

02ramowner

What is the price for one of thes units ? I live in virginia, does anyone know where the closest place is to purchase one?

bambam47

there are several places in va to purchase them. where are you located. i know there is one in richmond and one off of 664 and 64 in chesapeake. i think there are a couple of the job site trailer rental places that also sell them and will deliver for a small fee.

dieselcarpenter

So I guess the consensus is that they are perfect for on ground storage or an a proper container dolly/ frame behind a a semi tractor or on a boat or train right? It wouldn't be worth while trying to rig one up into a trailer? with recessed wheels, and a super heavy duty goose neck/5th wheel or pintle hitch? I am sitting on a 48' right now and was just day dreaming about this so I am probably not to serious, I also have a 20' van box off an old Burlington northern air mail delivery truck, been thinking about axles and a hitch for it as well.

haulin-rv

Not that I think one would make a good trailer, but it would be no worse than pulling a 48ft gooseneck cargo/race trailer as far as wind is concerned. Plus with the ability to get a new 48ft gooseneck enclosed trailer for $10-10,500 I just do not see the whole project being cost effective.

junkman1946

Dieselcarpenter; I assume you screen name is your trade. I did exactly what your talking about for a carpenter client. We dropped a 16 ft. box on a flatbed,cut the wheelwells out from the box to keep the floor height down to 24 to30ins. Put power inside the box, built storage compartments around the wheelwell boxes put a radial arm saw and bench down one side and made it into a sweet little portable carpenter shop. The frame under a normal truck box is a little lean so I would suggest dropping it on an existing frame. Frank