Shipping container axles adding?

[ArlyA]

The containers are designed to be supported at the ends, where the lifting and tie down points are. I’d be hesitant about adding spring mounts which didn’t transfer load to the ends. But I’m a dumb ole engineer who knows enough to be worried.

For short distances empty, I would spend the $500 they are asking on eBay for an axle kit which ties into the tie down sockets on the container.

The problem with these kits is you need to jack the container up to get those axles on and off. No thanks.

 

[ArlyA]

Cheap junk axle assemblies out from under "mobile home"..... Original designed to get "mobile" from factory to its intended site, nothing more....

I'm quite familiar with axle quality and have used the low usage ones before. If these could do 10 miles per year, that would work.

 

[Renze]

I helped my brother weld an old manure tanker axle behind a shipping container, to get a pony stable on a pasture near town where he couldnt get a building permit. Both the axle and the towbar pushed the container up hydraulically, and it was clad with wood planks to make it easier on the eyes. It covered the wheels as well, this room was also used as a saddle chamber.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

The problem with these kits is you need to jack the container up to get those axles on and off. No thanks.

Same companies make jack systems. But truthfully I wouldn’t be too uncomfortable jacking it up with hi-lift jacks.

 

[WranglerX]

And your container not supported properly could have this sort of problem....

Dear Customer: Sorry to say you item was damage or delayed in transportation....

 

[ArlyA]

And your container not supported properly could have this sort of problem....


View attachment 760095

Dear Customer: Sorry to say you item was damage or delayed in transportation....

All the shipping containers at our physicality have side pockets on them for moving via forklift. They move these unloaded internally.

 

[2manyrocks]

After adding axles, wheels and a tongue how is this thing regulated by your department of motor vehicles?

I wouldn't want to tow it with my 3/4 ton.

 

[ArlyA]

After adding axles, wheels and a tongue how is this thing regulated by your department of motor vehicles?

I wouldn't want to tow it with my 3/4 ton.

At 6000lbs, its below the max towing capacity of our truck. Of course the state of MI says it needs to be licensed etc etc. But the 5 miles of secondary roads twice a year, we'll take the risk.

 

[2manyrocks]

A guy asked about moving a 20' container on a trailer with his F250 4x4 7.3l diesel on the Ford Trucks enthusiasts forum. The comments weren't favorable. Towing a 20ft Shipping Container with Super Duty - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Seems to me that towing a 20' container with anything under a 1 ton dually on a properly rigged trailer is asking to break the truck and/or something worse.

 

[ljjhouser]

Don't know about MI, but in most states, if you are planning on moving it on a public roadway, it will need to be tagged as a trailer. Whole new can of worms.

That is probably right. But hang temp lights on it and buy a Permanent tag. You would need to apply for a trailer title. As a 20' homemade trailer. (cargo trailer) That is, if you don't move it a great distance. Won't cost much. Or did not cost much here in MO. Watch the height. And I don't know if MI sells permanent tags. They do in MO.

 

[Gee Ray]

Do you all buy tags for the farm equipment that is pulled down the road? This is just a covered trailer. Pull it with the tractor and hang a SMV on the back. There is no need for all the drama.

An empty 40 foot container weights something like 8500 pounds. So a 20 footer is 5000 pounds or less. Not a big deal to pull with a 3/4 ton truck.

As stated there are holes for the blades of a forklift. Therefore the container is strong enough to put the axles under the center. Move the axles closer to the center of the box to keep some of the weight off of the hitch.

It will be relatively easy to lay some angle iron along the edge of the container. Add some cross pieces and weld some spring hangers. Straight axles should be able to be found locally for a fair price. I see nothing wrong with mobile home axles for 10 miles per year. The tires will be the problem.

 

[LouNY]

Yes, a tractor and a SMV sign for short hauls avoid much of the hassles.

 

[California]

The containers are designed to be supported at the ends, where the lifting and tie down points are. I’d be hesitant about adding spring mounts which didn’t transfer load to the ends.

What about buying one that has the side forklift pockets? Seems like that design could be supported by its side rails.

... Oops. Posted this before reading beyond the post that I replied to. I see this now has been mentioned.

 

[Rebeldad1]

I see nothing wrong with mobile home axles for 10 miles per year. The tires will be the problem.

what's wrong with the tires?
You can buy some pretty nice high load range tires for those wheels.

 

[ArlyA]

On the local one with axles added, they welded 4x6 tubes (guess of dimensions) to 11 of the floor supports. This hieght gave it just enough clearance to keep the tires from rubbing. Did not look like high risk construction to me.

 

[ArlyA]

Thanks to all who gave positive and helpful suggestions.

 

[Gee Ray]

what's wrong with the tires?
You can buy some pretty nice high load range tires for those wheels.

I do not know if this still holds true but at one time the mobile home rims were an odd size that you could not buy a standard tire to fit. And the ones on the MH are poorly made. Stop and think about how many times you see a MH sitting along the highway changing a flat.

 

[LouNY]

Some states a trailer with tires labeled for MH use only are not road legal on a trailer;
however these and similar are fine.
https://simpletire.com/paid?v=1&tir..._pctTQRjBoCMkYQAvD_BwE#anchor=SiteProductLine

 

[azbinder]

I do not know if this still holds true but at one time the mobile home rims were an odd size that you could not buy a standard tire to fit. And the ones on the MH are poorly made. Stop and think about how many times you see a MH sitting along the highway changing a flat.

I used to move mobile home in central Arizona and never once blew a tire.

 

[Gee Ray]

I used to move mobile home in central Arizona and never once blew a tire.

This happened 6 or 7 miles from my home just last week. There are several mobile home builders that ship on I75. I run a hotshot truck out of Tampa and the MHs on the side of the road is very common.