The 20-foot flat-rack shipping container is perfect for transporting freight that is too large, heavy, or awkward (out-of-gauge (OOG)) and will not fit in a standard shipping container. The 20-foot container size is a lower-capacity option that is still compatible with intermodal infrastructure, ships, trucks, and railcars designed for 20-foot boxes.
The open sides of a flat-rack container make them perfect for transporting extra-large, awkwardly shaped, and heavy items (out-of-gauge (OOG)) that wouldn’t fit in a standard enclosed container. Their length and width remain compatible with container ships, trains, and other transport equipment designed for 20-foot containers.
Loading flat-rack shipping containers
The open sides can make loading cargo such as piping and timber very efficient. With their open tops, flat-rack containers allow cargo to be top-loaded by crane, which can be faster and more efficient. Flat-rack containers can also support extremely heavy loads of up to around 45,000 lbs.
This flexible loading can require less specialized handling equipment and less time, resulting in flat-rack containers being more cost-effective for shipping OOG cargo.
Flat-rack containers are versatile and can accommodate a broad range of cargo sizes, shapes, and weights.
Common cargo shipped with flat-rack containers:
Heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, excavators, and cranes
Tare weight: 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
Payload: 30,000 to 45,000 lbs (13,608 to 20,412 kg)
Gross weight: 34,000 to 49,000 (15,422 to 22,226)
Customization and Repairs
American Portable Storage (APS) owns and operates two state-of-the-art modification facilities, one in the Oakland metropolitan area and one within minutes of the Port of Long Beach. Each facility has been built and equipped to customize and repair containers for any purpose.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for other custom modifications
Delivery
Shipping Containers Delivered Throughout California and Beyond
American Portable Storage(APS) has delivery capability throughout California. We also deliver nationwide or worldwide through our trusted partnerships. This means APS can deliver your shipping container or containers wherever needed.
Roll-off Delivery
With roll-off delivery, you don’t have to own or rent a container handler for delivery and placement. APS will deliver your container to your location and roll it off into its permanent location. We deliver your container using a “tilt bed” roll-off truck or trailer. Smaller trucks that typically deliver 10 and 20-foot units resemble medium-sized flatbed tow trucks. These trucks have fixed axles and vary in maneuverability but, as a general rule, require 60 linear feet straight back into the area where you need the container. After the truck pulls into the desired location, the driver will lift the front end of the bed and pull straight forward until the container slides off the truck and onto the ground.
Requirements for roll-off delivery:
Hard surface: Site surfaces must be clear, dry, and hard with no risk of vehicle or container sinking.
Free of obstructions: Delivery space must be free of overhead power lines, trees, and other obstructions. Delivery trucks need a vertical space of 16’ for delivery at its peak tilt.
Space to maneuver: Please ensure the delivery location has ample space for wide turns and is free of obstructions, such as gates and fences, that may interfere with the turning radius of our delivery trucks.
Space to Deliver: The length of our trucks and beds may be anywhere from 60 feet to over 100 feet, with a width of 10 feet. Please ensure your site can accommodate the dimensions of the delivery truck and shipping container, plus room for maneuvering.
If in doubt, send us pictures or a video of your proposed site. We will review it and make recommendations for a quick and reliable delivery.
