How to Buy a Shipping Container Chassis 

What is a Container Chassis 

Container Chassis are intermodal equipment trailers used to transport conex containers between the terminal ports and shipping warehouses.  Chassis are primarily used for export transport and import arrivals.  They are a steel constructed frame with wheels, brakes, axles and a lighting system made to be easily repaired and serviced for ongoing use.  A chassis from 1980 can be just as functional as a chassis from 2020 as long as it has been maintained properly over the years.  The biggest issues a chassis can endure aside frame damage from collisions or improper handling are rotted steel beams corroded from the elements over time and not addressed through the years. 

What is the price difference between a New and Used Conex Chassis 

Used Gooseneck Chassis for sale are available in certain locations across the United States.  Used Chassis are not as commonly available as they had been due to the industry's high demand for them.  Normally when a small or large group of chassis becomes available, they are scooped up by terminals, large trucking outfits and asset investment firms.  Reason for doing so is the daily usage charge / rental charge a company can bill for them.  Seeing as shipping container chassis are needed to move thousands of containers per hour across North America, it is a safe bet that the daily charge of $25 – $50 a day would pay for chassis itself within 6 – 12 months depending on the purchase price and begin rewarding substantial profits over the years.  

With the understanding that container chassis are a metal frame with wheels, a used one wouldn't be less functional or less valuable then a new one to an owner.  The pricing at the time of this article can range from $8,500 – $12,000 for a used one in good wokring order and $19,000 – $24,000 for a new one depending on the build out.   Prices differ per geographic location and condition. Market fluctuations play a big role in the cost of fundamental supply and demand.   Non – functional used chassis or ones that are not road ready in need of repair are also a cheaper option but the cost to repair them could be across the board due to factors of specific damages and an applied labor rates to resolve them.

Container Chassis Types and Uses

Other popular applications that a chassis is used for is transloading, many times a shipping container needs to be loaded and unloaded locally between warehouses or docks and the most cost effective and efficient way is to use a chassis which is dock height and easily hooked onto and detached from so the operator can quickly attach to another load.  Another quick fix is most times a warehouse becomes out of space or in need of quick dock height storage space solutions.  Buying a container chassis can be a time saving cost effective way for unforeseen goods coming in to be stored for an extended period of time in a warehouse that has limited space to accommodate. And finally, moving companies use shipping containers with chassis for more secure element repelling relocations for commercial or personal settings.  Overall the majoirty use of a gooseneck chassis in 20ft long or 40ft lengths is for the consistent movement in and out of port terminals.  A chassis is built to hold a shipping container and each cargo container coming in on a vessel or leaving on a ship needs a chassis to move them. 

Container Chassis for Sale

Container Chassis have 4 secure pins on each corner that a cargo container rests on during secure transport.  Setting a shipping container on or off a chassis requires heavy equipment to lift the container off the pins, a container cannot be dragged off a chassis but only lifted.  Chassis come in different sizes, the most common are a 20ft long Slider and 40ft long with optional 40 – 45ft long extendables and 53ft long configurations. There are dual axel and tri-axle variants for heavier loads.  For more information on how to purchase a gooseneck chassis or buy a shipping container please contact IPL Management for more details.