I'm going to start doing container work

[rob_k]

drummerkev:
Check your Twistlocks, nothing worse than having your trailer lifted as well as the box

Make sure locking pins are secure are out and in the correct positions!!

Make sure the locking pins are in the correct position for that box… E.G if you have a 20FT on with it in the 40FT position on the pins it can get hairy!

Yeah take it easy on roundabouts etc, as you dont know how the box has been loaded and most of the time you dont even know whats in it until you open the doors!

OH YEAH>>>> BE CAREFUL WHEN OPENING THE BACK DOORS, AS STUFF DOES LIKE TO DROP OUT!!! the last thing you want is a load of boxes coming at you… BE REALLY CAREFUL OF THIS!!!

Sounds daft but make sure you double check the box numbers as well when your hooking up some can be VERY similar!

make sure you carry and lump hammer and piece of scaffolding or something similar as some of the doors can be a nightmare!

But most importantly!!! Take loads of food, books, DVD’s etc etc as you will be doing a lot of waiting around!

I think thats about it really. Im sure i have missed a couple of things… but im sure youll find them out your self!

If you need any help or advice mate send me a PM and you can have my number

All that ^ but I will add :

When you’ve got a heavy 20’ on a 40’ slider try to get yourself on smooth and level ground before sliding the box into whatever position you need. If you don’t you’ll sometimes find that the silding part of the trailer simply refuses to move which, when you’re new to the job can be rather frustrating and annoying because you think you’re doing something wrong. Also, check the pins have engaged through the holes in the trailer chassis after sliding it into a new position. You can usually hear them click into place but always best to have a quick look as well.

Another thing to watch out for are the container lifter drivers just sitting there tooting their horn and waving their arms wildly at you. In my experience this usually means that the box they’ve got for you is the wrong way round and so they want you to come past them and do a 180 so they can put it on the right way for you.

[convoy]

Yeah I got it rob and your diary’s where always
a good read and pics lol. Im not going to get any
bolt cutters as dont wont to get blamed for anything
that goes missing as most places tell you its the
customers job to remove the seal. Thanks for all
the reply’s might try and put a little read together
with pics

[shuttlespanker]

Rob K:

drummerkev:
Check your Twistlocks, nothing worse than having your trailer lifted as well as the box

Make sure locking pins are secure are out and in the correct positions!!

Make sure the locking pins are in the correct position for that box… E.G if you have a 20FT on with it in the 40FT position on the pins it can get hairy!

Yeah take it easy on roundabouts etc, as you dont know how the box has been loaded and most of the time you dont even know whats in it until you open the doors!

OH YEAH>>>> BE CAREFUL WHEN OPENING THE BACK DOORS, AS STUFF DOES LIKE TO DROP OUT!!! the last thing you want is a load of boxes coming at you… BE REALLY CAREFUL OF THIS!!!

Sounds daft but make sure you double check the box numbers as well when your hooking up some can be VERY similar!

make sure you carry and lump hammer and piece of scaffolding or something similar as some of the doors can be a nightmare!

But most importantly!!! Take loads of food, books, DVD’s etc etc as you will be doing a lot of waiting around!

I think thats about it really. Im sure i have missed a couple of things… but im sure youll find them out your self!

If you need any help or advice mate send me a PM and you can have my number

All that ^ but I will add :

When you’ve got a heavy 20’ on a 40’ slider try to get yourself on smooth and level ground before sliding the box into whatever position you need. If you don’t you’ll sometimes find that the silding part of the trailer simply refuses to move which, when you’re new to the job can be rather frustrating and annoying because you think you’re doing something wrong. Also, check the pins have engaged through the holes in the trailer chassis after sliding it into a new position. You can usually hear them click into place but always best to have a quick look as well.

Another thing to watch out for are the container lifter drivers just sitting there tooting their horn and waving their arms wildly at you. In my experience this usually means that the box they’ve got for you is the wrong way round and so they want you to come past them and do a 180 so they can put it on the right way for you.

just to add a little bit to what Rob wrote, try to do as little maneuvering as possible with the trailer shortened down, and always try and do any shunting in as straight a line as possible, especially if it is a heavy 20’ box

[cliffton_27]

if you have to pull a 45 box check your 5th wheel is set far enough back otherwise you can do some real damage to the back of the cab and them lifter drivers wont give a toss

[rob_k]

shuttlespanker:
just to add a little bit to what Rob wrote, try to do as little maneuvering as possible with the trailer shortened down, and always try and do any shunting in as straight a line as possible, especially if it is a heavy 20’ box

I’ll always remember the stupid ■■■■ who couldn’t be arsed stretching his loaded trailer to do the 10 mile trip down to the docks from where he’d loaded. Was most amusing when he tried to turn right at the T-junction out of the yard and promptly came to a halt in the middle of the road.

[shuttlespanker]

Rob K:

shuttlespanker:
just to add a little bit to what Rob wrote, try to do as little maneuvering as possible with the trailer shortened down, and always try and do any shunting in as straight a line as possible, especially if it is a heavy 20’ box

I’ll always remember the stupid [zb] who couldn’t be arsed stretching his loaded trailer to do the 10 mile trip down to the docks from where he’d loaded. Was most amusing when he tried to turn right at the T-junction out of the yard and promptly came to a halt in the middle of the road.

seen that many a time

[george_asda_driver]

Rob K:

shuttlespanker:
just to add a little bit to what Rob wrote, try to do as little maneuvering as possible with the trailer shortened down, and always try and do any shunting in as straight a line as possible, especially if it is a heavy 20’ box

I’ll always remember the stupid [zb] who couldn’t be arsed stretching his loaded trailer to do the 10 mile trip down to the docks from where he’d loaded. Was most amusing when he tried to turn right at the T-junction out of the yard and promptly came to a halt in the middle of the road.

why does that happen?

[shuttlespanker]

George@ASDA driver:

Rob K:

shuttlespanker:
just to add a little bit to what Rob wrote, try to do as little maneuvering as possible with the trailer shortened down, and always try and do any shunting in as straight a line as possible, especially if it is a heavy 20’ box

I’ll always remember the stupid [zb] who couldn’t be arsed stretching his loaded trailer to do the 10 mile trip down to the docks from where he’d loaded. Was most amusing when he tried to turn right at the T-junction out of the yard and promptly came to a halt in the middle of the road.

why does that happen?

heavy 20’ container at the rear of the trailer, all the weight over the wheels, lifts the front end of the trailer, and the unit, taking the weight off the drive axle, means lots less traction

[rob_k]

shuttlespanker:

George@ASDA driver:

Rob K:

shuttlespanker:
just to add a little bit to what Rob wrote, try to do as little maneuvering as possible with the trailer shortened down, and always try and do any shunting in as straight a line as possible, especially if it is a heavy 20’ box

I’ll always remember the stupid [zb] who couldn’t be arsed stretching his loaded trailer to do the 10 mile trip down to the docks from where he’d loaded. Was most amusing when he tried to turn right at the T-junction out of the yard and promptly came to a halt in the middle of the road.

why does that happen?

heavy 20’ container at the rear of the trailer, all the weight over the wheels, lifts the front end of the trailer, and the unit, taking the weight off the drive axle, means lots less traction

That, plus also having your 3 trailer axles only a few feet behind your tractor unit drive axle tends to be the main reason you come to an abrupt when trying to turn a corner.

[toby1234abc]

Containers are like Marmite, you either like it or hate it.The best thing is you are not allowed to get in the back to unload it, only open the doors then go to sleep on the bunk.
Some have to get gassed or sprayed for insects if coming from an exotic country.The clay quarries are easy to get lost in the lanes or get stuck in the lanes around the Plymouth area, you reverse on to a conveyer belt, or a digger will drive in to load it.

[santa]

Not enough traction and leverage to drag the rear axles sideways.

[toby1234abc]

i Liked the fact that you can not have your sides cut open like you get on taut liners,and sleep well,if you have a good rear door lock, i have seen some good ones for sale at Lymn truckstop for containers.

[bigmiler]

Back on the bay or ramp go to sleep.

[steveo999]

Check any empties that you pick up from an empties yard. You’ll see something like “Container must be CDOF” (Clean,dry and odour free) on your reload paperwork. Make sure there are no holes in the roof or sides or floor as sometimes (ahem) you may arrive at a house move export and have to go all the way back to the yard replace the dodgy container (not that I would know anything about that!)

[shuttlespanker]

steveo999:
Check any empties that you pick up from an empties yard. You’ll see something like “Container must be CDOF” (Clean,dry and odour free) on your reload paperwork. Make sure there are no holes in the roof or sides or floor as sometimes (ahem) you may arrive at a house move export and have to go all the way back to the yard replace the dodgy container (not that I would know anything about that!)

me neither

[premiumtrucker]

toby1234abc:
Containers are like Marmite, you either like it or hate it.The best thing is you are not allowed to get in the back to unload it, only open the doors then go to sleep on the bunk.
Some have to get gassed or sprayed for insects if coming from an exotic country.The clay quarries are easy to get lost in the lanes or get stuck in the lanes around the Plymouth area, you reverse on to a conveyer belt, or a digger will drive in to load it.

Hahaha yeah right. Obviously never done ECS / Ferrymasters then. Short sea containers are regular for drivers getting in to tip it. Pain in the arse.

Guessing the deep sea Side is abit different?

[cliffton_27]

if your loading at a scrap yard check the box when they are done its been known for holes to be torn into the sides booths in rotherham are known for it also when they tell you to pull off a quick check round the wheels is advisable nothing worse than a flat in the middle of the yard
but i wouldnt know anything about that

[rob_k]

cliffton 27:
if your loading at a scrap yard check the box when they are done its been known for holes to be torn into the sides booths in rotherham are known for it also when they tell you to pull off a quick check round the wheels is advisable nothing worse than a flat in the middle of the yard
but i wouldnt know anything about that

Tell me about it. That scrapyard in Bourne was a royal PITA for it. The loading dock was right at the very far end of the yard, so you have no option but to drive over bits of metal everywhere. Had 3 punctures there out of approx 20 loads.

[toby1234abc]

One job i did was to a quaint old cottage off the M40 in a little village.It was to collect their household goods as they were moving to the Usa.They made me a few cuppas.Removal firm did all the ■■■■■■■.Told to get the cleanest empty box.

[cliffton_27]

Rob K:

cliffton 27:
if your loading at a scrap yard check the box when they are done its been known for holes to be torn into the sides booths in rotherham are known for it also when they tell you to pull off a quick check round the wheels is advisable nothing worse than a flat in the middle of the yard
but i wouldnt know anything about that

Tell me about it. That scrapyard in Bourne was a royal PITA for it. The loading dock was right at the very far end of the yard, so you have no option but to drive over bits of metal everywhere. Had 3 punctures there out of approx 20 loads.

been there many times looks like a farmer has just chucked some ■■■■■■■■ down in the middle of his feild