Anyone tried using 53' intermodal as dryvan?

A container pulls a lot harder than a van, just from the sides on the., so fuel mileage would suffer too.

 

Doesn't that depend on whether or not the container has ribbed sides?

 

It would, I don't think I have ever pulled a smooth sided one.

 

Most of the domestic 53's around here tend to be smooth-sided.

 

There you go, I have pulled a lot of containers, never even heard of a domestic one, and sure never pulled a smooth side. I stand corrected.

 

There are domestic boxes.

International boxes carry big stripe somewhere on them.

Or is that the other way around. I forget.

Must visit the Railroad again, see how that stack train pacer comes through again.

 

Originally 20' and 40' boxes were the international standard; 53's were domestic (aka North America only.) I don't know if anything else had changed.

 

I have no clue where people get their numbers but this is the third time I read a forum post like this.

here is what I have.

A standard 53 trailer tare weight - 15,450 lbs

One of the lighter 53 foot container on a trailer tare weight - 19,780 lbs

Those are actual numbers from weighing them.

The containers itself can be between 9800 lbs to 11,000 lbs.

I have several and a few trailers.

Would I use them?

No.