Shipping container axles adding?

[ArlyA]

I'm still hoping someone here who has added axles to their shipping container would post pics.

 

[K5lwq]

What about just using a farm wagon running gear? That would be the simplest in my mind.

 

[Rustyiron]

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

As does a following escort with the 4 way flashers on.
I wouldn't be worried to do what Arly described at all other than a mild concern about using a Ranger and braking.

 

[Rustyiron]

Arly I don't see anything wrong with the set up you pictured. You said that it would be empty for transport, the long sub frame for the axles and suspension will distribute the load of the box to multiple floor cross members (very close to the sides) and are just shy of being centered leaving not much tongue weight or work to do other than guiding the now trailer.

I'm still hoping someone here who has added axles to their shipping container would post pics.

What's wrong with the set up you pictured?

 

[ArlyA]

What about just using a farm wagon running gear? That would be the simplest in my mind.

I like trailers with suspension for use on the road.

 

[ArlyA]

Arly I don't see anything wrong with the set up you pictured. You said that it would be empty for transport, the long sub frame for the axles and suspension will distribute the load of the box to multiple floor cross members (very close to the sides) and are just shy of being centered leaving not much tongue weight or work to do other than guiding the now trailer.

What's wrong with the set up you pictured?

Nothing,. I like what these fellows did with there container trailer.

 

[K5lwq]

I like trailers with suspension for use on the road.

This company has springs for the wagon up to 6,000lbs. Although I have pulled many of them on the roads without issues. Even pulled one from Mississippi all the way to Florida.

Farm Wagon Bed Bolster Springs

Farm wagon bed bolster spring set of four adds extra spring suspension to most makes of farm wagons with tubular frame axles. Assemblies hold the bed of a farm wagon in place adding spring suspension while reducing tipping on hilly ground or when turning sharply with heavy loads. Widely used by...

cottagecraftworks.com

 

[ArlyA]

This company has springs for the wagon up to 6,000lbs. Although I have pulled many of them on the roads without issues. Even pulled one from Mississippi all the way to Florida.

Farm Wagon Bed Bolster Springs

Farm wagon bed bolster spring set of four adds extra spring suspension to most makes of farm wagons with tubular frame axles. Assemblies hold the bed of a farm wagon in place adding spring suspension while reducing tipping on hilly ground or when turning sharply with heavy loads. Widely used by...

cottagecraftworks.com

I sure don't like backing those steering axles trailers up! Seems putting some axles slightly behind center is the easiest way to go and that style trailer is easy to back up.

 

[2manyrocks]

5,000 lbs of shipping container + weight of added axles and tongue may be more than the weight of the tow vehicle. What kind of brakes will be on the axles that are going to be added? Is the 6 mile route flat or hilly?

 

[Little Red Tractor]

Something I've not seen mentioned is the matter of tongue weight and towing stability.
I know the intended purpose of the OP is short, infrequent trips; but I also understand that the best-laid plans of mice and men oft-times run amok.
Here's a helpful website: How to Measure Tongue Weight

 

[Buzzard7]

Reading through the post reaffirms my policy of when you see someone towing a trailer on the highway today, get as far away from them as possible.

Yikes! I think I'll take your advice when I see one in the future.

 

[kpsp50]

I just used mobile home axle under mine if you want to get fancy you can use the springs and hangers

 

[mgstevens]

No idea if anyone mentioned this (tl;dr), but those who move manufactured homes and site offices use dollies. Depending on the weight, that could be anything from tandem singles to HD tri-duallies. The dolly gets bolted to the frame and a hitch gets bolted to one end and away they go.

OK, after seeing this happen twice with a 66' home, there is anything but "away they go" happening...

In any event, if this was worth it, get/make a dolly and hitch, or find someone with one to do the move. Someone suggested a roll-off truck, which would be the simplest solution unless you want a DIY solution.

 

[ArlyA]

Gee guys,. Building trailers is not a black science or theoretical.

I just used mobile home axle under mine if you want to get fancy you can use the springs and hangers

Do you have pics? We will use springs and hangers.

 

[California]

Gee guys,. Building trailers is not a black science or thoery

Do you have pics? We will use springs and hangers.

Is this for highway use, or for simply moving the container - slowly - down some back road?

 

[ArlyA]

Folks, here is some do's and don'ts for us.

Its getting axles so we can move it. It you are hoping some volunteer might come out and move it for you. That might take all summer, then its fall and it needs to go back out. I've driven rollbacks before.

It would definitely get springs, hangers, equalizers added. Trailers do need them in my book.

Adding axles to something is not a black or a theoretical science. If you follow the basic principles, it won't blow up and fly over some cliff on you.

Its not going to be tagged as a trailer for 5 miles each spring and fall. Someone posted the Maine state trailer information web site! (still laughing about that)

Won't get brakes either because we can drive 20 MPH for these two trips. Brakes would add what. another $1000?

Hope that helps

 

[K5lwq]

I personally like the idea and hope to see what you come up with. Things like springs and brakes are just options and personal preference for the intended use.

I liked the running gear idea because it would be solid when parked and no need for jacks. Also no tongue weight to worry about. But I also can back one with no issues and have pulled many configurations on the roads. I do understand the reasons why Arly would rather build it the way he wants.

 

[ArlyA]

I personally like the idea and hope to see what you come up with. Things like springs and brakes are just options and personal preference for the intended use.

I liked the running gear idea because it would be solid when parked and no need for jacks. Also no tongue weight to worry about. But I also can back one with no issues and have pulled many configurations on the roads. I do understand the reasons why Arly would rather build it the way he wants.

It will of course have tongue weight, like most trailers and no need for jacks (other than its hitch)

People who go without springs need to have larger tires with less PSI to keep from breaking or bending something.

 

[LouNY]

Well heck, back in my younger days when I was living in West Texas and running a stock car.
My trailer had a pair of MH axles, one axle did have brakes. I just used used MH tires and ran thousands of miles with that trailer and those tires one track that I ran at most weeks was 70 miles from the house. So those MH tires got a work out. For a while I was throwing threads often on those hot Texas and New Mexico roads, the carcass would still be good just throwing the threads. I tried a lot of different tire pressure then an old timer told me to just air'em up to 90 PSI I did that and quite throwing treads, the centers did wear fairly quick.
When I moved to Colorado they gave me static over the MH tires so I ended up with low boy tires they did work a bit better but not that much better. When I ended up moving back to NY I scaled that trailer and truck the trailer was right at 12,000# I shifted some loads around and ended up with 11,000# on the trailer axles.
If I was doing it all over again the only real difference would be that I wouldn't use an equilizer between the springs, I'd go with just a pair of sprung axles I ended up replacing the equalizers every couple of years.

So I'd say yes what you want to do will work fine, I wouldn't be surprised that you might end up cribbing up the front and rear depending on what all you do with it while it's parked.
Good Luck

 

[bcp]

Make a unitized axle assembly like boat trailers often use, that clamp to the frame wherever needed for balance. It can be used with several containers.

Bruce