What Is a Flat Rack Container?
Flat rack containers are a type of shipping container that is designed for transporting heavy and oversized cargo that cannot be loaded into standard shipping containers. These containers have a flat deck and collapsible sides, which make them ideal for items that require extra support or have unusual shapes. They come in various sizes, with standard dimensions of 20 feet or 40 feet in length, and are made of sturdy corten steel materials to ensure the safe and secure transport of goods. Flat rack containers are commonly used in the shipping, construction, and mining industries, and offer a versatile and cost-effective solution for the transportation of heavy and bulky cargo.
Flat Rack Container Dimensions and Weight
Flat rack containers typically have similar dimensions to standard containers. The dimensions of these containers are based on the volume bound between the internal dimensions of the container, as they only have walls on the fixed ends. Flat rack containers come in the standard 20ft and 40ft lengths. They are made to carry heavier and more concentrated loads up to 34,000kg (for 20ft) and 50,000kg (for 40ft).
Before we continue to discuss the cargo capacity of flat racks, let’s take a closer look at the dimensions.
20ft Flat Rack Dimensions
The standard dimensions for a 20ft flat rack container are typically 20 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 7 feet in height. The inside dimensions may be slightly smaller due to the thickness of the walls. In terms of weight, a 20ft flat rack container typically weighs around 5,000 to 7,000 pounds.
Flat racks are made from the same sturdy steel material that is corrosion-resistant and able to handle harsh weather during the voyage.
*Measurement or value may vary
| External dimensions | L 20 x W 8 ‘x H 8’ 6 ‘ | L 6 m x W 2.4 m x H 2.6 m |
| Volume | – | – |
| Tare weight | 6.172 lbs | 2.800 kgs |
| Max payload | 68.784 lbs | 31.200 kgs |
| Max cargo | 74.957 lbs | 34.000 kgs |
40ft Flat Rack Dimensions
A 40ft flat rack container, on the other hand, has dimensions of 40 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 7 feet in height. The inside dimensions of this type of container are similar to those of a 20ft flat rack container.
A 40ft flat rack container weighs around 8,000 to 10,000 pounds. It’s important to note that these weights are for empty containers and do not include the weight of the cargo being transported. The maximum weight capacity of a flat rack container depends on several factors such as the type of material used, the thickness of the walls, and the overall design of the container.
*Measurement or value may vary
| External dimensions | L 40’ x W 8’ x H 8’ 6’ | L 12 m x W 2.4 m x H 2.6 m |
| Volume | – | – |
| Tare weight | 10.802 lbs | 4.900 kgs |
| Max payload | 99.428 lbs | 45.100 kgs |
| Max cargo | 110.231 lbs | 50.000 kgs |
Types of Flat Rack Containers
They come in two types: Collapsible and Non-collapsible. Let’s have a view of how both differ.
Collapsible Flat Rack
A collapsible flat rack is a type that has a collapsible end, meaning that it can be folded down into a compact size when not in use, which makes it more convenient for storage and reduces the amount of space it takes up during transport.
They are equipped with heavy-duty collapsible end walls and sturdy corner castings, making them well-suited for handling heavy loads.
The collapsible feature of flat racks allows for efficient use of shipping space, as they can be easily stacked when they are not in use. They are also commonly used in intermodal shipping, which involves the transfer of cargo between different modes of transportation, such as from a ship to a truck or vice versa.
Non-Collapsible Flat Rack/Fixed End
A non-collapsible flat rack is a type that has fixed ends at both the front and back sides. They are ideal for the transportation of heavy or oversized cargo. Unlike collapsible flat racks, non-collapsible flat racks are not designed to be folded down for storage.
Non-collapsible flat racks have a solid structure and are made of non-corrosive steel. They are equipped with end walls and corner castings, making them suitable for handling heavy loads, such as construction equipment, machinery, or heavy-duty vehicles.
Since non-collapsible flat racks are not designed to be folded down, they are more durable and can handle heavier loads than collapsible flat racks. However, they also take up more space and are not as convenient for storage as collapsible flat racks.
Cargo Shipped in Flat Rack Container
A flat rack container is designed to carry cargo that is in unusual shapes that won’t be efficient to carry by standard containers. There are a variety of products that can be carried using flat rack containers, including the following:
Construction equipment: Cranes, bulldozers, excavators, and other heavy machinery are often shipped on flat rack containers.
Vehicles: Large vehicles such as buses, trucks, and boats can be shipped on flat racks.
Machinery: Industrial machinery, such as generators and compressors, can be shipped on flat racks.
Steel products: Steel products, such as coils, plates, and pipes, can be shipped on flat racks.
Project cargo: Flat racks are often used for the shipment of large and heavy project cargo, such as wind turbine components, modular buildings, and mining equipment.
Timber: Large and heavy timber products, such as logs and lumber, can be shipped on flat racks.
Agriculture equipment: Tractors, combine harvesters, and other agricultural equipment can be shipped on flat racks.
Regardless of the cargo you intend to ship, it is crucial that it is loaded correctly without putting any pressure on the actual goods. It is preferable to store your flat racks either on the ground or at the top of the container stack. By doing this, accidental damage brought on by contact with other cargo or containers is avoided.
Flat rack container: Frequently asked questions
What are flat rack containers used for?
Flat rack containers are used for shipping heavy and oversized cargo that cannot be transported in standard shipping containers, such as construction equipment, machinery, vehicles, and project cargo.
What are the dimensions of a flat rack container?
The internal dimensions of a standard 20ft flat container are 19,5ft x 7,7ft x 7,7ft. Whereas, the internal dimensions of a 40ft flat rack container are 39,8ft x 7,9ft x 7.
Are flat rack containers secure for transporting cargo?
Flat rack containers are designed to be secure for transporting heavy and oversized cargo. They have sturdy end walls and corner castings and can be equipped with straps or chains to secure the cargo in place.
What is the capacity of a flat rack container?
The capacity of a flat rack container depends on its size and weight rating. Flat racks are available in various sizes, and some are designed to handle heavy loads, up to several hundred tons.
Purchasing a Conex Box
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