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Common Shipping Container Moving Mistakes That Cause Damage, Delays, and Extra Costs
Shipping containers are everywhere, so people assume they’re easy to move. In reality, moving a container is a heavy-load transport job with tight tolerances: the wrong trailer, a soft driveway, one low wire, or one skipped permit can turn a “simple move” into a damaged container, a blocked road, or a canceled delivery.
This article lays out the most common mistakes people make when moving shipping containers in the U.S., why they happen, and what a qualified container mover does differently to prevent them.
Mistake 1: Assuming Any Trucker or “Hotshot Guy” Can Move a Container
A shipping container is not a palletized shipment. If the container is sitting on the ground, a standard truck and trailer usually can’t load it. Even if a driver is willing, willingness doesn’t equal capability.
Why it causes problems:
Without container-specific equipment (side loader, tilt-bed rated for the load, crane, proper chassis), the driver may arrive and realize they can’t safely pick it up the container. That creates delays, rescheduling fees, and sometimes emergency equipment rentals at premium cost.
When receiving a quote for your container transport, make sure to ask them how they plan to transport it and if they have the means to self-load/unload.
What pros do instead:
Qualified container movers confirm site and weather conditions, and work closely with you to ensure the right equipment is sent. Verifying the entire move from start to finish is handled with care.
Mistake 2: Not Knowing the Container’s Weight (or Ignoring It)
People often know the container is “mostly full” but don’t know the actual weight. That’s a major error because weight determines trailer choice, permit needs, route restrictions, and loading method.
Why it causes problems:
A loaded container can exceed common legal weight thresholds depending on cargo and equipment configuration. If the mover assumes it’s light and it isn’t, you can end up with dry run fees, demurrage, and additional charges.
What pros do instead:
They ask for the best available weight estimate, identify the cargo type (dense vs light), and plan the equipment accordingly. If need be, they’ll ask for photos of the site and of the interior of the container so they can get a feel for the weight. If they think there is reason for concern, they might send someone out to conduct a site inspection.
Mistake 3: Choosing the Wrong Delivery Method (Tilt-Bed vs Side Loader vs Crane)
Customers commonly request a method because it “sounds easier,” not because it fits the site and container condition.
Why it causes problems:
Each method has real constraints:
Tilt-bed is often fine for empty or lighter containers, but it requires a long straight approach and can drag or scrape if the surface isn’t ideal.
Side loader is excellent for loaded containers and ground placement, but it needs adequate side clearance and stable ground for outriggers.
Crane allows placement over obstacles or farther from the road, but it adds cost, requires overhead clearance, and must be properly sized for the container weight.
If the wrong method is chosen, the mover may not be able to place the container where you want it, or the move becomes unsafe.
What pros do instead:
They select the method based on container weight, access, ground conditions, clearance, and placement requirements—not preference.
Mistake 4: Skipping the Site Assessment (or “Eyeballing It”)
Many container moves fail because the site is the problem, not the container.
Why it causes problems:
Container-moving trucks are large and heavy. Common site issues include:
Tight turns, narrow lanes, weak culverts
Soft ground that won’t support a loaded truck or outriggers
Sloped or uneven surfaces that twist the container during lifting
Low wires, branches, soffits, or gate openings
Limited room to stage and maneuver
When the truck can’t safely access the site or deploy the lift, the move stops.
What pros do instead:
They ask detailed access questions, request photos/video, sometimes do a site visit, and set clear requirements for access and placement before dispatch.
Mistake 5: Forgetting Overhead Clearance (Especially Power Lines)
This is one of the most dangerous mistakes.
Why it causes problems:
Cranes, booms, and lifting arms can encroach into overhead space quickly. Even if the container clears a line, the lifting equipment might not. Power lines, cable lines, and tree limbs can stop a job instantly—or create serious safety hazards.
What pros do instead:
They evaluate overhead clearance as a non-negotiable safety item. If clearance is questionable, they change method, change approach, or require site prep (trimming, alternate placement, utility coordination).
Mistake 6: Expecting “Precision Placement” Without Paying for the Right Equipment
People often want the container tucked behind a garage, placed between two buildings, or dropped inside a fenced yard—without accounting for access limitations.
Why it causes problems:
A side loader generally places a container adjacent to the truck. A chassis delivery leaves the container elevated unless unloading equipment is available. If the location requires the container to be lifted over obstacles or set deeper onto a property, that’s a crane-style placement.
What pros do instead:
They match equipment to placement complexity and communicate what’s possible before the move. If you need placement beyond the truck footprint, they plan for it.
Mistake 7: Not Preparing the Ground Where the Container Will Sit
A container can be set down “successfully” and still be a problem later.
Why it causes problems:
If the ground isn’t level and stable, the container can:
- settle unevenly
- twist out of square (making doors hard to open)
- sink into soft soil
- pool water underneath and accelerate corrosion
What pros do instead:
They advise on stable, level base prep (compacted gravel, blocks, timbers, pads) and confirm the drop zone can support concentrated weight.
Mistake 8: Leaving Doors Unsecured or Contents Unbraced
This is common with customer-loaded containers.
Why it causes problems:
Vibration, leaning during loading, or sudden braking can shift contents. If items aren’t braced, they can slam into doors. Doors that aren’t properly secured can also swing during handling.
What pros do instead:
They recommend basic load bracing, door security steps, and communicate how the container will be lifted so you can prepare interior cargo accordingly.
Mistake 9: Using Inappropriate Lifting Methods (Small Forklifts, Improvised Rigging)
Trying to save money by “making it work” is where things go wrong fast.
Why it causes problems:
Containers require lifting at structurally appropriate points. Using short forks, lifting from one side, dragging, or attaching chains incorrectly can:
- damage the container frame
- compromise the floor
- cause tip-over events
- create uncontrolled swings
What pros do instead:
They use approved lifting points and equipment designed for container handling, with trained operators who understand load balance and structural stress.
Mistake 10: Not Confirming Permits, Routing, and Timing Restrictions
Even when the container fits dimensionally, weight or routing can be the hidden issue.
Why it causes problems:
Overweight loads are not permitted, and certain routes may be restricted due to bridges, construction, or local rules. Some municipalities have time-of-day constraints for large moves.
What pros do instead:
They plan routes around restrictions, handle permits when required and schedule the move to minimize risk of enforcement delays.
Mistake 11: Hiring a Broker Who Subcontracts to Whoever Is Available
Not all brokers are bad, but generally brokers will look for the best rate possible instead of looking for the right operator and equipment.
Why it causes problems:
A broker may quote the job without understanding access constraints, then dispatch a carrier that doesn’t have the right equipment. You find out only when the truck arrives.
What pros do instead:
They plan routes around restrictions, handle permits when required and schedule the move to minimize risk of enforcement delays. Dedicated container movers control equipment and crew selection, or they manage subcontracting tightly with verified container-capable partners.
Mistake 12: Not Getting the Move Plan in Writing
A container move isn’t just pickup and drop. It’s method, equipment, placement, responsibilities, and constraints.
Why it causes problems:
Misunderstandings happen when:
When it is not verified what equipment will be used to load/unload and haul your container.
When information isn't communicated clearly.
The contract isn't read thoroughly.
Expectations are not clearly communicated.
What pros do instead:
They document assumptions and requirements: access, method, placement expectations, what the customer must prep, and what triggers reschedule or additional equipment.
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A Practical “Avoid Mistakes” Checklist (Use This Before You Book)
Before you hire anyone, make sure you can answer these:
- Is the container empty or loaded, and roughly how heavy?
- Is it on the ground, on blocks, on a chassis, or stacked?
- What is the pickup/drop surface (asphalt, gravel, grass, slope)?
- Are there tight turns, narrow roads, or weak driveways/culverts?
- Are there overhead wires, branches, or rooflines near the lift zone?
- Do you need precision placement beyond what a truck can reach?
- Who is handling permits if the load is overweight?
- What equipment is the mover bringing, specifically?
- Are insurance and liability coverage confirmed in writing?
If a company can’t walk through these confidently, it’s a sign they’re not a true container mover.
Contact Us for Your Container Move & Transport
Whether you're relocating a single loaded container or coordinating multi-site logistics, Container Movers delivers the equipment, operational knowledge, and standardized processes required for safe, reliable container handling nationwide.
Contact our team to schedule a move or request a technical consultation.
No container-specific trailers or lifting systems
Most trucking companies do not own container chassis or hydraulic lifting equipment. Containers are typically loaded at ports using port-owned chassis or cranes—not by the trucking company itself. When a container is sitting on the ground, many truckers simply cannot load it.
No ground-loading capability
Household movers and freight haulers are designed to load pallets or boxed goods at docks—not lift steel containers off the ground. Without cranes, sideloaders, or heavy-duty tilt systems, they cannot safely perform the move.
Operational and regulatory complexity
Container moves often involve weight restrictions, permit coordination, route planning, and site access challenges. Many general carriers avoid container jobs altogether because they fall outside their core operations.
In contrast, dedicated container moving companies specialize in these exact challenges. Firms like Container Movers operate equipment such as side loader trailers, tilt-bed systems, cranes, and container chassis specifically designed for safe container relocation.
Required Equipment to Safely Move Shipping Containers
Shipping containers are not forgiving objects. Moving them safely depends on purpose-built equipment designed to handle extreme weight and maintain balance throughout the move.
Side Loader Trailers (Sidelifters)
A side loader is one of the most effective tools for container relocation. These trucks are equipped with hydraulic lifting arms that raise containers from the ground and place them onto the trailer while keeping the container level.
Side loaders are capable of:
Lifting fully loaded 20 ft and 40 ft containers
Maintaining balance and preventing tipping
Loading and unloading without external cranes
Operating efficiently in residential and commercial settings
Because containers are lifted from all four corners, side loaders minimize structural stress and reduce the risk of shifting contents. For many moves, they are the safest and most cost-effective solution.
Weight and Center-of-Gravity Control
Knowing the weight of your loaded container is crucial to not only the move, but will prevent over spending and dry run fees.
To ensure a safe load you'll need to verify the following:
Weight is evenly distributed, heaviest of weight being in the center of the container working outward towards each end.
All delicate items are secured, strapped, and lain down flat in the container.
There is nothing liquid that can spill over and that there is nothing hazardous.
The corner castings on each corner of your container is accessible, rust-free, and physically attached to the container (if you do not have corner castings, you might not have a standard shipping container and we would require photos prior to quoting)
The ground the container and equipment will be on is solid, dry, and even.
Risks of Hiring Non-Specialized Movers
Hiring an unqualified mover—or attempting a DIY container move—introduces serious risks.
Insurance Gaps
Non-specialized movers may not carry insurance that covers container lifting or heavy-load transport. If something goes wrong, you may be financially responsible for property damage or injuries.
Equipment Damage
Improvised methods—dragging containers, underpowered forklifts, or incorrect trailers—can damage:
The container itself
Driveways, asphalt, and landscaping
Internal cargo
Safety Hazards
Containers are heavy, rigid, and unforgiving. Improper handling can result in:
Serious injuries
Crushed vehicles or structures
Dropped or tipped containers
Specialized movers mitigate these risks through equipment, planning, and experience.
Legal and Permit Issues
Container weight MOST of the time is considered to be a "Divisible Load" - Meaning, if the weight inside can be broken up into smaller shipments, it MUST be broken down into smaller shipments.
For local moves, lighter containers are always easier unless there is a sideloader local to the area.
For longer hauls, it's best not to exceed 40,000lbs total weight.
Side Loader vs. Crane — When Each Is Required
When a Side Loader Is Best
Side loaders are ideal when:
The container is loaded
The truck can park adjacent to the placement location
Ground placement is acceptable
Speed and efficiency are priorities
They are commonly used for residential deliveries, commercial storage, and job sites with adequate access.
When a Crane Is Required
A crane may be necessary if:
The container must be placed far from truck access
Obstacles such as buildings or fences are present
Containers are being stacked
Vertical placement is required
Cranes add flexibility—but also add cost and complexity. Smaller truck-mounted cranes, like rotator trucks, could handle the heavier containers as well. But those come with a premium and average $700-$1000/hr.
A qualified container mover will evaluate the site and recommend the safest, most practical method.
Permit Handling and Route Planning
In the U.S., container dimensions are usually within legal limits—but weight often is not.
Loaded containers may require:
Axle weight compliance
Specialized trailers
Pre-approved routes
Professional container movers manage these logistics internally, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. Attempting a move without proper permitting can result in fines, delays, or load impoundment.
Site Inspections — Why They Matter
Successful container moves depend heavily on site conditions.
Professional movers assess:
Truck access and turning radius
Ground stability and slope
Overhead clearance (power lines, trees, structures)
Placement surface and drainage
Poor site preparation can halt a move or cause damage. Experienced movers ask detailed questions—or request photos—before dispatching equipment. This preparation protects both the customer and the crew.
Checklist — Questions to Ask Any Container Moving Company
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Responsive Support
Before hiring a container mover, ask:
How many shipping container moves have you completed?
What equipment will you use to load and unload the container?
Are you insured specifically for container lifting and transport?
Do you handle permits and regulatory compliance?
Will you assess site access before the move?
Can you explain the full move plan and timeline?
Clear, confident answers indicate real experience. Vague responses are a warning sign.
Final Takeaway
Not everyone who owns a truck is qualified to move a shipping container.
Qualified container movers use specialized equipment, understand weight and safety dynamics, manage permits, and plan for site conditions. General movers and standard trucking companies typically do not.
By understanding who should move a container—and who shouldn’t—you reduce risk, protect your property, and ensure the move is done safely and legally.
This knowledge helps you make the right decision before a container ever leaves the ground.