Got a few more questions guys if it’s not too much trouble. Just seen a video on youtube about a 20 foot container on a fully shortened trailer. The driver then extended the trailer to I assume the full length and the container was then slap bang in the middle of the trailer. Now:
- I was under the impression that if it was a flatbed for example best place for it would be over the rear axle?
- would it be dangerous/illegal to drive that on skeleton?
- would it be dangerous/illegal to drive it in the original position as short as the container itself?
- he pushed a button and the locks retracted. Then extended the trailer and pushed the button again. Is there a risk that the locks could have missed did the container not actually move away from the original locks it was just the trailer that extended the container stayed where it was?
- when you load a single 20 foot container can you load it with the trailer shortened then extend or do you extend trailer first then load?
- if there were 2 x 20 foot containers. Same as above can you load both fully extended or load one shortened then extend then load the other?
Finally 
With a full size container I assume self explanatory: only one way it can go on.
But what about intermediate sizes. Is there only one position that would accept it, or can you choose where to put it either central, lined up with the back of trailer or lined up with the front.
In the 20 foot example he said he had already tipped. But if it was still loaded I assume he delivered it the same way he would be driving it away and it was in that shortened position as he had to that in order to reverse it onto bay.
Thanks.
ContainerBoy:
Got a few more questions guys if it’s not too much trouble. Just seen a video on youtube about a 20 foot container on a fully shortened trailer. The driver then extended the trailer to I assume the full length and the container was then slap bang in the middle of the trailer. Now:
- I was under the impression that if it was a flatbed for example best place for it would be over the rear axle?
- would it be dangerous/illegal to drive that on skeleton?
- would it be dangerous/illegal to drive it in the original position as short as the container itself?
- he pushed a button and the locks retracted. Then extended the trailer and pushed the button again. Is there a risk that the locks could have missed did the container not actually move away from the original locks it was just the trailer that extended the container stayed where it was?
- when you load a single 20 foot container can you load it with the trailer shortened then extend or do you extend trailer first then load?
- if there were 2 x 20 foot containers. Same as above can you load both fully extended or load one shortened then extend then load the other?
Finally
With a full size container I assume self explanatory: only one way it can go on.
But what about intermediate sizes. Is there only one position that would accept it, or can you choose where to put it either central, lined up with the back of trailer or lined up with the front.
In the 20 foot example he said he had already tipped. But if it was still loaded I assume he delivered it the same way he would be driving it away and it was in that shortened position as he had to that in order to reverse it onto bay.
Thanks.
1/ skeletal trailers you run with them in the middle. Your training will cover load distribution on lorries.
2/ not sure what you mean. Running just one 20 foot at the rear of a skele? You run loaded single 20 foots in the middle. It’s all about weight distribution.
3/ A subject of debate 
. Running an empty box with the skele squashed down is a bit pointless. They handle like a bag of bolts. You don’t run around with a squashed skele with a loaded box. Only designed to pull away from the bay/ ramp. Be lucky to make it out the yard if you tried before wheelspin. Def not the done thing.
4/ the box moves with the front half of the trailer so this scenario where the box is left at the back whilst the skele moves isn’t possible. Lock pins can get stuck but they pop into place when you extend. More a problem when they won’t pop out so you can’t slide the trailer.
5/ load then extend.
6/ my head hurts . I’m not even sure what you mean by this .
Like anything, all becomes clear when you see it.
Thanks Freight Dog and knight2.
Freight Dog
2/ not sure what you mean. Running just one 20 foot at the rear of a skele? You run loaded single 20 foots in the middle. It’s all about weight distribution.
Just meant if you kept it on the rear and drove it.
4/ the box moves with the front half of the trailer so this scenario where the box is left at the back whilst the skele moves isn’t possible. Lock pins can get stuck but they pop into place when you extend. More a problem when they won’t pop out so you can’t slide the trailer.
My mistake. Just watched video again. The back end of trailer stayed put and box moved. I thought when he pushed the button the twist lock things were disengaged but I assume the button just allowed the trailer to be pulled forward while the container remained locked in place?
5/ load then extend
Why is that? Why not load while it is extended?
6/ my head hurts . I’m not even sure what you mean by this .
Mines hurting now as well.
What I meant was if you are picking up two 20 foot containers. Would you as in no 5 above load the first one while shortened, then extend, then load the second one. Rather than have the trailer extended and put them both on?
knight2
2 Why would it be dangerous, containers are the reason skeletals exist.
Meant is it dangerous running it with load on the rear axle.
A word of warning if the container weighs much over nine ton make sure you are lined up with the bay before shortening the trailer.
Are they a bugger to reverse? Different to normal artics?
Edit alert! This whole post presumes by “loading container” means putting things inside it
ContainerBoy:
Why is that? Why not load while it is extended?
Because the rear of the trailer would be in the way. Whole reasons of sliding skeles is to get the rear doors of 20 foot boxes sitting at the back for unloading and loading to avoid that. If someone gives you a nice skele may as well use it as intended
ContainerBoy:
Mines hurting now as well.
What I meant was if you are picking up two 20 foot containers. Would you as in no 5 above load the first one while shortened, then extend, then load the second one. Rather than have the trailer extended and put them both on?
Crikey, never had that scenario. No as you’ve no way of getting the boxes on and off at the collection unless you keep a crane in your pocket . Plus when you extend the box will end up in the middle!. Mass confusion and boxes everywhere ! What you’re talking about is scenarios that don’t happen. If it’s 2 empty 20s that need loading, one will be in front of the other. You load one conventionally and the front one will probably have the doors facing forwards to be loaded from the front.
ContainerBoy:
Are they a bugger to reverse? Different to normal artics?
Nah, they come around a little quicker but not that much harder, it’s more because with a loaded box in you don’t want to be going far/trying to turn with it squashed down. There’s limited grip on the drive axles. Easy to get stuck.
You say the rear of trailer would be in the way but if its being dropped onto trailer from above surely that would be okay? Then you could still shrink it when you tip?
take a look at this. youtu.be/pirfGpMScJc
Thanks m.a.n rules. That’s what I mean you can put it on when extended and reverse and it goes where it needs to be when you tip.
It’s just that the answer to my question was load then extend. Got me confused a bit. I gather you can do it either way with a 20 foot container. Just got to make sure you drive it extended.
no, always load 20ft in the extended position.
Thanks. Video you posted there’s a lot of things to remember. Does is vary from trailer to trailer or are they all about the same. Lear one you know them all?
OVLOV JAY:
An ADR in packages gives you a huge advantage on containers
Can you expand on that J?
what you need now mate is some proper hands on practical. keep trying to learn from theory you seem to be tying yourself up in knots.
and yes they are all very similar in operation except for splitter’s but learn to walk before you run hth.
TiredAndEmotional:
OVLOV JAY:
An ADR in packages gives you a huge advantage on containers
Can you expand on that J?
It’ll give you an advantage and practically guarantee you a job at a large company with direct work to the lines. Smaller companies tend to sub their work so have little use for it. On our firm, only 9 of us have an adr, of which 1 is on contact to a line, 2 have splitting trailers and 1 is on a specialist job. It leaves 5 of us in the mix, out of 50 drivers and 50 subbies, hence it earns me about an extra £40-£70 a week. If you had an adr my company would give you a job tomorrow
ContainerBoy:
Thanks. Video you posted there’s a lot of things to remember. Does is vary from trailer to trailer or are they all about the same. Lear one you know them all?
Trailers can vary, the one in the video however is quite a complicated one. Usually it’s dead simple, as someone else said don’t get caught up on the theory, when you start it’ll become quite apparent and they should show you everything. As for ADR, most places offer 2 through to 6 then 8 and 9. I’ve had ADR for two years and never been pulled once.
Thanks guys. I’ll stop thinking about it now and wait until it happens.
Splitters: I won’t ask. [Don’t tell me, might put me off completely]
ContainerBoy:
It’s just that the answer to my question was load then extend. Got me confused a bit. I gather you can do it either way with a 20 foot container. Just got to make sure you drive it extended.
Hey up container boy. Reason you got that answer was cos you asked
“when you load a single 20 foot container can you load it with the trailer shortened then extend or do you extend trailer first then load?”
I took it by “loading the container” you meant putting things inside the container at a collection. In which case as I said the container is loaded whilst skele is squashed then extended after.
If you meant loading of a container on the skele then you do that extended.
Ive edited my other post to clear that up . You’ve got me tied in knots now, which way is left?
m.a.n rules:
what you need now mate is some proper hands on practical. keep trying to learn from theory you seem to be tying yourself up in knots.
and yes they are all very similar in operation except for splitter’s but learn to walk before you run hth.
A huge + 1! This stuff doesn’t lend itself to visualising or reading from text. You need to see it.
Sorry mate I wasn’t sure what the terminology was. I’ve been using loading to mean when the container is put on trailer. What should the process be called to avoid me confusing everyone in the future?