A special trailer or attachment that allows shipping containers to be transported by truck. It is essential for shipments transitioning from sea to road and typically incurs a chassis fee. The chassis is designed to fit securely around the container, preventing movement during transport.
There are different chassis sizes for 20-foot and 40-foot containers, and tri-axle chassis are available for overweight Full Container Load (FCL) shipments.
Chassis Fees
- Standard: This applies when a container moves from the ocean to the truck. For FCL shipments, this is a flat fee, which varies by trucker. For LCL shipments, the fee is based on cargo volume.
- Tri-Axle: Required for overweight shipments needing a tri-axle chassis. The 20-foot container requires a tri-axle if its weight exceeds 36,000 lbs. The 40-foot container requires the same if its weight exceeds 44,000 lbs.
Truckers may apply both a chassis fee and a tri-axle chassis fee for overweight shipments.
Chassis Splits and Availability
One of the biggest friction points in drayage (short-distance trucking) is the chassis split. This happens when the ocean terminal where your container is located does not have any chassis available. The driver must go to a separate start-stop location or a chassis depot to pick up the equipment before heading to the port.
This detour takes time and often incurs a Split Chassis Fee. In the world of heavy machinery, where delays can stall a construction project, understanding local chassis availability is crucial.
Driver-Owned vs. Pool Chassis
Most chassis come from a shared “pool” at the port, meaning they are generic equipment used by many companies. However, for sensitive or extremely heavy machinery, you might request a trucker with a private or owned chassis. These are typically better maintained, have better tires, and working lights.
Why does this matter?
If a pool chassis has a blown tire or bad brakes, the driver will get stuck at the roadability gate at the port terminal, waiting hours for repairs. This delay can cause you to miss your delivery window or incur detention charges.
Safety and Liability
Because heavy equipment parts push the weight limits of a container, the structural integrity of the chassis is non-negotiable. A tri-axle chassis adds a third set of wheels to distribute the weight more evenly. If you try to move a 45,000 lb load of steel tracks on a standard two-axle chassis, it is not only illegal but dangerous. The chassis could buckle, or the driver could lose control.
Always declare the accurate gross weight of your cargo so the dispatcher sends the right equipment.