Hello , can any one help me with how a sliding trailer works and how ro work one, I might be able to get a job tramping containers but need to know how they work, and as usual don’t know how they work until I get given a chance. 
I’ve moved your post to where I think it will receive more answers from those in the know. dd. 
thank you DieselDave 
Pretty simple to use mate, change airline onto the sliding mechanism fitting, push in the button on the side of the skelly to release the locking pins and move unit back or forward to get your desired position, pull button back out to lock the pins back into place and replace airline!
Sliding skelly’s…
There are a few different types, the easiest way to describe the differences is to explain the basics of how they work then try to explain the differences. Its easier to be shown than to write down but i’ll try
First of all you have locking pins on the trailer that can lock in 4 different positions
1 is the normal 40 ft box
2 is the the 45 ft & 30 ft box
3 is the 20 ft box
4 is the 20 ft (fully closed) position
The majority of skellys have a button you pull/push to release the pins ( some wont release until the trailer brake is put on) or you have to remove the red airline and put on to a different connection (positioned to the left of the normal running connectors)
Pull the lever and apply the brake. The pins should retract, move the trailer to the required position (if they dont retract stratight away rock the trailer with the unit and they will move eventually) and the push the lever back in and the pins will be forced out again. If youre not lined up dont worry either reverse of pull forward until they clang in the position you want. The trailer wont move cos the brake is on. Release the brake and away you go.
If your pulling a 45 you need to have your rear underun bar out or its a tug from the vostapo or rozzers. Also make sure its on the front pins (all to do with weight distribution)
If pulling a twenty, fold the rear arms in as you WILL forget when trying to close it up and it will bug you. If you load a 20ft and its heavy (they usually are if loading them) when you come to extend the trailer lift your tag and give it beans if it hasnt been greased properly. Some of the skelly’s can collapse the front axle on the trailer to put more weight on the unit.
They are remarkably easy to use, if you get the chance just chat to a box jockey in the services, most will explain it to you.
Good luck with it
thanks buddies, that explains a lot already as i hadnt a clue, ill have to find some one who has one so i can go and takes a look, as you say seeing is better than reading, but you did explain it well cheers
Try youtube mate…there is more than likely a video of it being done on there.
Al
The main thing is do it in a straight line - always. Good luck with the job 
im in the same boat… got a day on them tomorrow… although iv had an induction on them the bit of papper i wrote everything on has taken a trip to the continent… lucky theres people here with a wealth of information who you can rely on
There is no shame in going into work a little earlier and asking someone who already works there.
Only a fool will refuse to help you and it might give you a chance of introducing yourself to your new colleagues.
Best of luck,
W
AlexWignall:
There is no shame in going into work a little earlier and asking someone who already works there.Only a fool will refuse to help you and it might give you a chance to introducing yourself to your new colleagues.
Best of luck,
W
Not a bad idea! Like i said its a lot easier to do than it is to write down, plus once you’ve done it once on any of the many different trailers out there you will be able to work it out for yourself on any of them!
youtube.com/watch?v=pirfGpMScJc
here you go, every make works slightly differently but this shows you how they work in principle
As usual loads of good advice and cheers for the youtube link, that was a great help cheers fella’s
Make sure they get lifted on the right way round, getting to a job and walking round to find theirs no doors is a nightmare with everybody watching you.
The call to the boss isn`t much fun either. 
I sat and waited for the guy to put it on and he got fed up waiting on me turning and just put it on, did my checks and engaged twistlocks and never noticed a thing till I was reversing onto a bay. 
And undo your twistlocks, dont leave the 2 front ones done up, your cab could be a right mess when they put your motor back down!
last post scrubbed as question answered in previous posts
can i just say thanks for asking this, i was once going to ask a similar question. Every time i see a motor with a short container on its in the middle of the skelly. i always wondered how they moved it back for on loading bays. i figured that the ‘bars’ moved somehow or another but never been close enough to one to work it out.
i have since found out after asking this question that it has been discussed in some detail already on this forum so with the older posts i feel very confident in dealing with it, everyone is very helpful and the knowledge is vast, unlike other industries you can ask for help and get it in trucking, not stupid answers or micky taking, so once again thanks fellas
Medaluk:
last post scrubbed as question answered in previous posts
What was the question? Someone else might be wondering but not want to ask it or know/ be able to find the answer!
sorry didnt think of that, i was going to ask what each position was for what size box, but it was answered in the third post i think.