20' connex \ container \ shipping container trailer?

[TWD]

Anyone ever purchased axle \ trailer kit and put them under a 20' connex? did you add a sub-frame (ie: 5" boxe tubing) around the entire thing, or just along the sides?

I'm considering building 2 to mount my solar on top of, and then if we relocate I have 20' enclosed HD trailers I can load up with ~5000lbs to move, and all my batteries\solar gear are in one, walled off, vented\secured etc...

I was thinking 2x 6k-8k axles depending where the price doesn't make sense to get more capacity.

 

[ArlyA]

Those do weigh 3,970 to 4,850 lb empty.

 

[TWD]

Those do weigh 3,970 to 4,850 lb empty.

Yes, much more manageable than my 40' ones

 

[CliffordK]

Is this permanent or a temporary setup? Are you planning to haul it around loaded?
I made a dolly to move conex boxes with. And the State licensed it as a homebuilt.
So far I've only moved 35' to 40' aluminum conex boxes that weigh 1,000 to 2,000 lbs less than steel conex boxes. I haven't done a 20' box yet, and that would be awkward to load.

The first photo is the dolly in transport mode. The second photo is it attached to the box. It gets bolted, strapped, and chained to the conex box. The light bar gets moved to the back of the conex box.

Those are two mobile home axles. Pretty heavy duty. However, if I was doing it again (or I may redo it), I'd add a third axle. It would make the thing more difficult to maneuver, but I could be in bad shape if I blew a tire on the road without a shoulder.

The one thing I really don't like about these, because of the 8' or 8'6" restriction for public roads, you have to get the wheels either under the conex box, or behind it. And my pickups won't handle it with the axles at the back.

Bumper Pull, and wheels in the middle, and it follows reasonably well, but one still has to pay attention to sharp corners, and entering a driveway.

 

[CliffordK]

I saw this at an auction. A different concept. A skeletal frame from a 30' travel trailer. Just drop the conex box on, tie down and go. I think you can see wood cross members that it is setting on.

 

[CliffordK]

If you are planning on making a mobile trailer with multiple moves, or want to carry it loaded, then I'd start with an aluminum box truck box, rather than a conex box. It will be much lighter to start with.

And, perhaps do a tandem dually setup. Rather expensive, but if you have to do a bed-over, then get a good undercarriage on it.

 

[ArlyA]

We were looking at shipping containers since they have snow load capacity. I think I'd like axles right on the container so as to lower it some.

 

[CliffordK]

If you put wide axles (10' axles?), then you're over width. It may be OK for some things on rural roads, but technically you should get it permitted and have a follow vehicle, and lots of signs. If you can handle the tongue weight (or 5th wheel), then you can connect the wheels behind the conex box and solve that problem, but introduce other issues.

Many manufactured home axles are mighty wide.