Transporting a shipping container can be a difficult task, which is why we’re going to guide you through the steps of moving a shipping container, the risks of moving it yourself and inform you of the many advantages of using a professional transportation company to handle the job instead.
Moving a shipping container yourself
Moving a shipping container yourself can be quite a challenging task if you don’t have access to a forklift or crane. However, it is possible to use a tilted bed trailer.
The process of moving a shipping container revolves around the following three steps: loading, transporting and unloading – though it isn’t as simple as it sounds. If you’re using a tilted bed trailer, you’ll have to:
- Back the trailer up to the end of the container and tilt it back fully.
- Attach the lower two corners nearest the trailer (on the corner castings) to it using strong chains.
- Raise the attached end of the unit just enough to get some blocks underneath it.
- Slide some wood or a similar block under the two raised corners before lowering the trailer to take the weight off the chains.
- Lower the trailer and back it up until the trailer takes the weight off the blocks.
- Continue to back the trailer up until it’s levelled off.
As you can see, the process of moving a shipping container yourself requires a lot of effort and can pose a variety of risks that we have outlined below:
The risks of moving a shipping container yourself
Safety
Moving a shipping container yourself comes with a number of health and safety risks, from failures to load the container correctly, difficulties that could occur during transportation as well as the risks of an unsafe unload within the container. These risks pose serious threats to yourself and those around you during the moving process.
Damage
Moving a large shipping container yourself also puts the shipping container and its contents at risk of damage, as well as any vehicles or machinery you use. If you use the tilt trailer method, the container will be on an angle, which means its contents will be too.
The advantages of getting professional help to move a shipping container
There are many advantages of hiring professional towing and transportation services to efficiently transport a large shipping container, including the following:
Experience
Towing and transportation companies have extensive experience in the field of shipping container transportation, which makes them the most qualified for the job.
Specialist equipment
Professionals have the correct equipment and machinery designed for transporting large shipping containers, which will be operated safely according to relevant guidelines.
Insurance
Towing and transportation companies will have insurance that will cover any damages or accidents that happen during this process, meaning that you aren’t putting your possessions at risk by trusting them.
Our services
You should make the most of the experienced, high-quality services available at Mick’s Towing Service. We’ll get your shipping container from point A to point B quickly and safely.
For more information about our range of container transport services available across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Northern New South Wales, contact us or request a quote today.
