Hi all,
Looking for some clarification. I see some drivers at the railhead getting 45ft containers put onto their skelly while the pin on the sliding skelly is in the 40ft/13.6m position, am I right in thinking the overall length of the vehicle is now over the maximum limit of 16.65m which is permitted for swap bodies and containers? We are told we’re illegal if we put the box on the wrong twist locks and the trailer isn’t in the correct position so we have to move them when we’re taking different side boxes but I see other drivers as mentioned above never change the trailer length, tried googling it but can’t find the answer.
Never been stopped for it, have been stopped nothing said.what they gonna do make you put it on the other pins.crack on
I’ve never had anything said about pin position either, well apart from another driver, the skelly is 40’, a container is the load and as long as the overhang of the load doesn’t exceed 1 metre to the rear (which it doesn’t) all is good to go, some companies do have rules that drivers like the above works for (ES) do insist that they follow the instuctions on the trailer.
The only time it was done to trailer instructions was when dropping a loaded 20’ box and then putting on a 45’, other wise it would be on the 40’ pins.
I know nothing about the sliding skelly’s but if you’ve got a 45’ option, wouldn’t it be better to use it rather than have the extra arse end swing?
Not sure what the overall length would be with a 45’ container would be but isn’t the box considered to be “the load”?
The same reason why containers don’t have any outline lighting.
So being over length is no different than having a length of steel over hanging the back of a flat bed.
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So if it doesn’t matter as some of you said, why does it have the two different holes? They must be marked up like that for a reason?
Wilky13:
So if it doesn’t matter as some of you said, why does it have the two different holes? They must be marked up like that for a reason?
It may also be for weight distribution and axle loadings, same as it is for the 20’ boxes.
But in practice, containers are loaded in such a variable way, and without any opportunity for the driver or operator to control it, that the authorities probably think they’re on a hiding to nothing trying to enforce anything.
A fly-by-night domestic operator who has end-to-end control of a logistics operation and is trying to systematically exploit weight limits for competitive advantage, is also very unlikely to be using a container system, because it adds so much weight itself and requires so much specialist equipment.
Wilky13:
So if it doesn’t matter as some of you said, why does it have the two different holes? They must be marked up like that for a reason?
You cant carry 2x 20ft containers on the default setting (pin 3) you need to extend the trailer to pin 4
I think that could be the only reason as you can carry 20 40 & 45 foot boxes on pins 3 & 4 (although not recommended carrying a loaded 20ft box on pin 4
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mark1284:
Wilky13:
So if it doesn’t matter as some of you said, why does it have the two different holes? They must be marked up like that for a reason?You cant carry 2x 20ft containers on the default setting (pin 3) you need to extend the trailer to pin 4
I think that could be the only reason as you can carry 20 40 & 45 foot boxes on pins 3 & 4 (although not recommended carrying a loaded 20ft box on pin 4
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Correct as your axle weights aren’t distributed correctly and you run the risk of various things going wrong with a heavy box.
To the OP if you are told to do something and you don’t know of a reason why not to (to the point there is a guideline printed on the side of the trailer), other than you have seen a lazy ■■■■ or two doing it, just do it.
The alternative pin positions for 45ft containers are to satisfy turning circle requirements.
Dvsa can get you on C&U regs as the correct positions are shown on the design plate on the trailer. Whether they would or not is up to you to take the chance. I tended to run everything in the 3 position except the odd time when I had 2 20s (not saying that’s right of course 
).
Skellies can be different, but generally a 45ft box should be carried in the 20ft position and should sit on the very front twist locks. Many many container drivers can’t be arsed and just carry them like a 40ft but it’s just bone idle. They didn’t spec a different position for 45ft boxes on the trailer for ■■■■■ and giggles.
Also, it might not be a legal obligation but always extend out your rear under run bar. Again, the ability to extend is there for a reason and means that a car going into the back of you doesn’t have the container hitting the windscreen as the first point of impact.
rob22888:
Skellies can be different, but generally a 45ft box should be carried in the 20ft position and should sit on the very front twist locks. Many many container drivers can’t be arsed and just carry them like a 40ft but it’s just bone idle. They didn’t spec a different position for 45ft boxes on the trailer for [zb] and giggles.Also, it might not be a legal obligation but always extend out your rear under run bar. Again, the ability to extend is there for a reason and means that a car going into the back of you doesn’t have the container hitting the windscreen as the first point of impact.
Some skeletals are designed for keeping the overall running height down and use a gooseneck and the front pins lock into the front of the container casting and not the underneath casting
peterm:
I know nothing about the sliding skelly’s but if you’ve got a 45’ option, wouldn’t it be better to use it rather than have the extra arse end swing?
No
Thanks for that comprehensive reply. 
Its been a long long time since I did box work so I maybe out of date, but did`nt 45 ft boxes have 2.5 at the front and 2.5 at the rear sitting on 40ft pins and it was a case of moving your turntable to accommodate
I have been following this thread as i have never taken a 45 or a 30 but i an still no wiser. I will take a few pics when at the yard and hopefully someone can confirm where the 45 should sit
Right, so my dennison clearly states 45 box should run in position three, but it does not state which front pin needs to be used. The very front or the other one?
lolipop:
Its been a long long time since I did box work so I maybe out of date, but did`nt 45 ft boxes have 2.5 at the front and 2.5 at the rear sitting on 40ft pins and it was a case of moving your turntable to accommodate
Yeah you carry 40 and 45 footers on the same pins
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