Need to move freight container - Please Help

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by efersept, Jul 5, 2014.

  1. efersept

    efersept Bobtail Member

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    I apologize if this is not the proper place to post this question but I am somewhat desperate. I have a problem that at first I thought would be pretty basic but after many phone calls it seems to be an unusual request. I have a 40' container on the ground that I use for shop space. It is located in Redmond, WA. I need to move back to California so I thought why not load it up with my household belongings as well the shop equipment and have it trucked to central California. I would estimate no more then 10,000lbs on top of the container. However after contacting many trucking companies no one seems to be able to help. In fact the request was often considered kind of crazy by them. If any one has advise or even a solution it would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    There are companies that have trucks equipped to lift containers onto them from the ground, but they typically don't transport them long distances. Your best bet is to contact a freight broker and hire a step deck for the move, and have a crane and rigging company lift the container onto the step deck. You'll need another crane at the receiving end. Might be more trouble than it's worth.
     
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  3. zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

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    how did you get the container in the first place?
     
  4. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

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    Have you contacted an actual intermodal carrier , just need to get a tilt / load truck to pickup the container and then transfer it to a over the road intermodal chassis , not a big deal.
     
  5. baha

    baha Road Train Member

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    Rent a fork lift of hours rent they del. you get it lifted up truck backs under it lock it down, see them at CA> flat/bed or step deck will work also
     
  6. HaulinCars

    HaulinCars Medium Load Member

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    Most of the companies that sell the containers will only move them relatively short distances and then only empty but that would be the first place to start is by calling them and asking. If they say no ask if they have any suggestions.

    In the oilfield they have trucks hauling flatbed trailers with a big roller on the back of the trailer. On the back of the truck they have large winches. One of these setups could easily winch the container up onto the trailer and haul it where you need it and they would also have the ability to unload it as well. There is a lot of oil field activity in the Dakotas now. They would have these trucks there. It is entirely possible that they run to the coast from time to time and perhaps you could get one of them. Do some searching for "Olifield hotshot truck service" and see what you get. Might have to modify that search but that general search should give you the idea and you can experiment from there.

    If you end up using a traditional flatbed (As noted above) your going to have to lift the container onto the trailer. It will take either 1 fairly large crane or 2 of the 18 wheeler size tow trucks. While expensive the 2 tow trucks will be far less costly than a crane capable of lifting the container. If you have the real estate available at both the origin and destination to back the tow trucks up to the side of the container the flat bed can then back right up under it. Since you will be paying for the tow truck by the hour you want to facilitate them getting in and out quickly. The tow trucks could cost you anywhere from $250 to $1,000 depending on the company/operator. You will definitely want to make some calls. Make sure you talk to somebody in charge, not just the secretary.

    My last suggestion would be to go to the Steel Soldiers forum site and ask there if anybody has the equipment to move it and is willing to do so. These guys are not professional truckers, they are military equipment hobbyist but some of them do have the proper equipment to load and move a 40' container. Some of them have surplus army tanks and other large military vehicles that they do not want to drive on the road so they buy the military hauling stuff to move them. Some of the guys there do have businesses that move stuff and would have the necessary licensing, insurance and authority to do it all legally. If it is a non-licensed person they usually do it just for the fun of doing something different and to help out if you pay their expenses (Food/fuel) they will move it for no charge. Might be worth a shot as a last resort.

    Make sure you have a fairly accurate total weight before you make any calls, they will all want to know. Also, when loading make sure the load is distributed fairly evenly weight wise. You don't want one end significantly heavier than the other and of course you will want the contents well secured inside to prevent shifting during loading/unloading and transport, especially if it is winched up onto the trailer as it will be at a fairly steep angle during the winching process.

    Let us know what you end up doing.
     
  7. Derailed

    Derailed Road Train Member

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    You will most likely need someone with a Landoll trailer to come in and move that for you safely, will run you probably around $125/hr or at least thats what they get around here to move them when I looked into purchasing one. 20's arent so bad but the 40's are where it gets pricey and they dont have fork pockets. Im sure there has to be a wrecker company out there somewhere that has done this.
     
  8. Derailed

    Derailed Road Train Member

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  9. MOBee

    MOBee Road Train Member

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    I can safely assume they are going to ask you how long it has been on the ground, much more then 6 months and all you will hear is dial tone. Then they are going to ask you how much weight you have put in it. I -think- the floor is only rated to 24K, so if you say I dunno, expect that dial tone again. What you have here is a HUGE liability for them, so don't be surprised if you have a hard time finding someone to help out. I just think you will have much more money wrapped up in moving this 40 footer then if you just called PODS or ABF or even UHaul.
     
  10. CRN

    CRN Bobtail Member

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    U ship so we can see this done by real professionals on tv.they may even pay you to make this move
     
    cnsper, Cetane+, double yellow and 2 others Thank this.