Standard 20 ft Chassis
Standard 20 ft containers
Fixed Rear
Tandem
— Equipment Guide
Container Chassis Types: 20, 40, 45, 53 ft and Specialty
A container chassis is the wheeled steel frame a container rides on behind a truck. This guide covers every common type and the specialty ones, what each carries and how to choose.
Quick Answer
What Are the Types of Container Chassis?
Chassis are sorted by container length, axle setup and special purpose. Most shipments use a standard 20 ft chassis or a 40 ft gooseneck.
- Length 20, 40, 45 and 53 ft
- Axles tandem, spread, tri-axle, 4- and 5-axle
- Purpose tank, genset, drop frame, tipper and more
40 ft Gooseneck
Standard and high-cube 40 ft containers
Tri-Axle Chassis
Heavy containers; weights still verified
Three Rear
Axles
Genset Chassis
Reefers that need power on the road
All chassis types
— Chassis Types
20 ft Chassis
Chassis for 20 ft containers. Short boxes are often heavy, so the axle setup matters.
20 ft Slider Chassis (23.5 ft)
A 20 ft slider chassis is the standard chassis for a single 20 ft container: a 23 ft 6 in frame with a tandem axle set that slides rearward to spread the weight of a heavier box.
Best For
- Standard 20 ft dry containers
- Dense 20 ft loads that need the axles slid back for weight distribution
- Port pickups where 20 ft chassis are in the pool
Manufacturer Specs
- Overall length 23 ft 6 in retracted, 27 ft 6 in extended; spring-loaded pins lock the slider in either position (DCLI fleet)
- Fifth wheel height 48 in; rear deck height 52 in; 49 in axle spread; tare 6,700 lb (DCLI fleet)
- TRAC lists its 20 ft chassis at 23 ft 6 in, 67,200 lb carrying capacity, 2 axles and 8 tires
Source: DCLI, 23.5 ft Slider Chassis, TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models
Carries: One 20 ft containerAxles: Tandem, 49 in spreadLength: 23 ft 6 in, slides to 27 ft 6 in
20 ft Tri-Axle Slider Chassis
A 20 ft tri-axle slider is a longer three-axle chassis built for one heavy 20 ft container; its frame slides to spread the weight across the axles.
Best For
- Heavy 20 ft loads such as stone, metals, paper or bagged goods
- Loads where a standard 20 ft chassis would put too much weight on its tandem
Manufacturer Specs
- 33 ft closed, 41 ft extended; GVWR up to 65,000 lb; “the frame of this chassis slides to disperse the weight” (DCLI fleet). Source: DCLI specialty chassis PDF. All weights are approximate. Permits may be required. Additional weights may be possible in permitted corridors.
- Cheetah builds 31 ft and 33 ft Bridgemaster extendable 3-axle chassis for one heavy 20 ft container
Source: DCLI, 20 ft Tri-Axle Slider Chassis, TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, Hyundai Translead, container chassis
Carries: One heavy 20 ft containerAxles: Three axlesLength: 33 ft, extends to 41 ft
— Chassis Types
40 ft Chassis
Chassis for 40 ft and 40 ft high cube containers, the most common size.
40 ft Gooseneck Chassis
A 40 ft gooseneck chassis is the standard marine chassis for a 40 ft container: its raised front section, the gooseneck, fits into the tunnel under the container floor so the box rides lower.
Best For
- 40 ft standard and 40 ft high cube containers
- Most import and export loads in 40 ft boxes
Manufacturer Specs
- Overall length 40 ft 8 in; width 96 in; fifth wheel and rear deck height 48 in; kingpin 30 in from the front bolster; tare 6,700 lb (DCLI fleet)
- TRAC lists its 40 ft chassis at 40 ft 8 in, 67,200 lb carrying capacity, 2 axles and 8 tires
- Hapag-Lloyd states that all of its 40 ft containers have a gooseneck tunnel for transport on a gooseneck chassis
Source: DCLI, 40 ft Gooseneck Chassis, TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types, Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification
Carries: One 40 ft or 40 ft high cubeAxles: Tandem, 49 in spreadLength: 40 ft 8 in
40 ft Lightweight Gooseneck Chassis
A lightweight gooseneck chassis is a 40 ft gooseneck built with a lighter frame, so less of the legal gross weight is used by the chassis itself.
Best For
- Heavy 40 ft loads that are close to the legal gross weight
- Shippers who want more payload room without adding an axle
Manufacturer Specs
- Overall length 41 ft; rear deck height 47 in; tare 5,090 lb (DCLI fleet; carries one 40 ft or 45 ft ISO or high cube)
- TRAC lists its lightweight chassis at 40 ft 6 in, 5,050 lb tare, 49 in axle spacing and 67,200 lb carrying capacity
- Cheetah and Hyundai Translead also build lightweight 40 ft goosenecks
Source: DCLI, 40 ft Lightweight Gooseneck Chassis, TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, Hyundai Translead, container chassis
Carries: One 40 ft (some fleets also list 45 ft)Axles: Tandem, 49 in spreadLength: 40 ft 6 in to 41 ft
40 ft Straight Frame Chassis
A straight frame chassis has a flat frame with no gooseneck, for 40 ft containers built without a gooseneck tunnel.
Best For
- Non-ISO or special-purpose 40 ft boxes with no tunnel
- Industry equipment carried in container form
Manufacturer Specs
- Cheetah 40 ft Straight Frame 49 in spread 2-axle: “carries one non-ISO (non-tunnel) type 40’ container”
- Cheetah also builds a 43 ft straight frame chassis for the air and gas industry
Carries: One 40 ft container with no gooseneck tunnelAxles: Tandem, 49 in spreadLength: 40 ft
40 ft Tri-Axle Chassis
A 40 ft tri-axle chassis adds a third axle under a 40 ft gooseneck to spread the weight of a heavy 40 ft container.
Best For
- Heavy 40 ft loads
- Loads where weight on a tandem axle group is the limit, not the gross
Manufacturer Specs
- DCLI: 40 ft 6 in; a 109 in tri-axle setting for West Coast customers; offered by reservation (DCLI fleet)
- TRAC: 40 ft 8 in; 74,000 lb carrying capacity; 8,450 lb tare; 3 axles and 12 tires
- Pratt GN2040FEZ: 41 ft; kingpin 17.5 in; fifth wheel 46.5 in; rear deck 48 in; 122 in axle spread; tare 10,750 lb; GVWR 70,000 lb
Source: DCLI, 40 ft Tri-Axle Chassis, TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types, Pratt Industries, tank and container chassis, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models
Carries: One heavy 40 ft containerAxles: Three axlesLength: 40 ft 6 in to 41 ft
— Chassis Types
Combination and Spread-Axle Chassis
One chassis that fits more than one container size, or spaces its axles further apart.
20/40 Combo Chassis
A 20/40 combo chassis extends from about 30 ft to about 40 ft so one chassis can carry either a 20 ft or a 40 ft container.
Best For
- Operations that switch between 20s and 40s
- Export and import turns where the next box size changes
Manufacturer Specs
- DCLI fleet: 30 ft 6 in closed, 40 ft 6 in extended; fifth wheel 48 in; rear deck 47.5 in; 49 in axle spread; GVWR 75,000 lb
- CIMC 20/40 gooseneck combo: 109 in axle spread version
- Cheetah 20–40 City 49 in spread 2-axle; Hyundai Translead 20/40 Tandem 6-Pin
Source: DCLI, 20/40 ft Combo Tandem Chassis, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, Hyundai Translead, container chassis
Carries: One 20 ft or one 40 ftAxles: Tandem, 49 in or spreadLength: 30 ft 6 in to 40 ft 6 in
12-Pin Chassis (Two 20 ft Boxes)
A 12-pin chassis has extra twist-lock positions in the middle, so it can carry two 20 ft containers end to end as well as one 40 ft or one 20 ft.
Best For
- Repositioning two empty 20s on one chassis
- Operations that see a mix of 20s and 40s
Manufacturer Specs
- Cheetah 40 ft 12-Pin 49 in spread 2-axle: one 40 ft; two 20 ft containers of no more than 24,000 lb; or one 20 ft at the front, middle or rear, each with its own weight limit
- Cheetah 20–40 Maximizer 12-Pin 2-axle and 3-axle with a flip-up rear bolster: one 20 ft or 40 ft or two empty 20 ft containers
- Hyundai Translead 20/40 Tandem Spread 12-Pin and 20/40 Tri-Axle 12-Pin
Source: Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, Hyundai Translead, container chassis
Carries: One 40 ft, one 20 ft, or two 20sAxles: Tandem, spread or tri-axleLength: About 40 ft
Tri-Axle Combo Chassis (Anysizer)
A tri-axle combo chassis extends to fit more than one container length and has three axles for heavy loads; DCLI calls its version the Anysizer.
Best For
- Heavy 20s one day and 40s the next on the same chassis
- Two empty 20s on a backhaul (12-pin versions)
Manufacturer Specs
- DCLI Triaxle Anysizer: 33 ft retracted, 40 ft 10 in to 45 ft 10 in extended; tare 11,595 lb; GVWR up to 90,000 lb as a chassis rating; versions for one 20 or 40, two empty 20s, or a 45 (DCLI fleet). Source: DCLI specialty chassis PDF. All weights are approximate. Permits may be required. Additional weights may be possible in permitted corridors.
- Hyundai Translead 20/40 Tri-Axle 12-Pin: 32 ft 1-1/4 in closed, 40 ft 6-3/16 in extended; tare 10,600 lb; one 20 ft, one 40 ft or two empty 20 ft containers; 4-3/4 in gooseneck height
- Max-Atlas and Pratt also build tri-axle combination chassis
Source: DCLI, Triaxle Anysizer Chassis, Hyundai Translead, container chassis, Max-Atlas, container chassis, Pratt Industries, tank and container chassis
Carries: One 20, 40 or 45 ft, or two empty 20s (model-dependent)Axles: Three axlesLength: About 32 ft to 46 ft
Spread-Axle Chassis
A spread-axle chassis places its two axles about 109 in apart instead of the usual 49 in, which changes how the weight on the axle group is counted under axle-spacing rules.
Best For
- Loads where axle spacing matters for the weight on the axle group
- 20 ft ISO tank containers on longer tank chassis
Manufacturer Specs
- Standard tandem: 49 in axle spread (DCLI and TRAC fleets)
- Spread axle: 109 in, on the Cheetah 41 ft Lightweight Gooseneck 109 in 2-axle, Hyundai Translead 20/40 Tandem Spread 12-Pin, and the Cheetah 43 ft tank chassis
- DCLI Spreadaxle Anysizer: tare 9,995 lb; GVWR up to 69,640 lb as a chassis rating (DCLI fleet). Source: DCLI specialty chassis PDF. All weights are approximate. Permits may be required. Additional weights may be possible in permitted corridors.
Source: DCLI, Spreadaxle Anysizer Chassis, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, Hyundai Translead, container chassis
Carries: 20 ft or 40 ft, by modelAxles: Two axles, 109 in spreadLength: About 33 ft to 46 ft
— Chassis Types
45 ft and 53 ft Chassis
Longer chassis for 45 ft marine and 53 ft domestic containers.
40/45 Extendable Chassis
A 40/45 extendable chassis is a gooseneck that extends from about 40 ft to about 45 ft so it can carry either a 40 ft or a 45 ft container.
Best For
- Fleets that see both 40 ft and 45 ft high cubes
- 45 ft containers when a fixed 45 ft chassis is not on hand
Manufacturer Specs
- DCLI fleet: 40 ft 8 in closed, 45 ft 8 in extended; fifth wheel and rear deck 48 in; kingpin 30 in; 49 in axle spread; tare 7,300 lb
- TRAC: 45 ft 6 in; 6,900 lb tare; 58,200 lb carrying capacity
- Hyundai Translead: 40 ft 8 in closed, 45 ft 8-1/4 in extended; tare 7,000 lb; capacity 67,200 lb; GVWR 74,200 lb
Source: DCLI, 40/45 ft Extendable Chassis, TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types, Hyundai Translead, container chassis, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models
Carries: One 40 ft or one 45 ftAxles: Tandem, 49 in spreadLength: 40 ft 8 in to 45 ft 8 in
45 ft Gooseneck Chassis
A 45 ft gooseneck chassis is a fixed-length chassis for a single 45 ft container.
Best For
- 45 ft high cube containers
Manufacturer Specs
- DCLI fleet: 45 ft 6 in; fifth wheel and rear deck 48 in; kingpin 30 in; tandem 54 in from the rear bolster; tare 7,000 lb; carries one 45 ft
Source: DCLI, 45 ft Gooseneck Chassis
Carries: One 45 ft containerAxles: Tandem, 49 in spreadLength: 45 ft 6 in
53 ft Domestic Chassis
A 53 ft chassis carries domestic 53 ft containers, the long boxes used in rail intermodal, and its tandem slides so the axles can be set for California's kingpin-to-rear-axle rule.
Best For
- Domestic 53 ft rail containers
- Rail ramp pickups and deliveries
Manufacturer Specs
- DCLI fleet: 53 ft 7 in; kingpin 36 in from the front bolster; tare 7,450 lb; the tandem slides so the kingpin to rear axle distance can be under 40 ft (California / Rhode Island regulation)
- TRAC: 53 ft 6 in; 65,000 lb carrying capacity; 7,450 lb tare
- Cheetah 53 ft Gooseneck 2-axle: one 53 ft high cube domestic container with a 3-1/8 in tunnel
Source: DCLI, 53 ft Gooseneck Chassis, TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, California Vehicle Code 35401.5
Carries: One 53 ft domestic containerAxles: Sliding tandemLength: 53 ft 6 in to 53 ft 7 in
40/53 Extendable Chassis
A 40/53 extendable chassis stretches from 40 ft to 53 ft so one chassis can carry marine 40 ft and 45 ft containers or domestic 48 ft and 53 ft containers.
Best For
- Operations that handle both marine and domestic containers
- Rail and port work on the same equipment
Manufacturer Specs
- Cheetah 40–45–48–53 Extendable 60 in spread 3-axle: one 40–45 ft ISO or one 48–53 ft domestic container
- Max-Atlas 40/53 EXT Tridem; CIE Manufacturing 40–53 Extendable Tridem
Source: Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, Max-Atlas, container chassis, CIE Manufacturing, container chassis
Carries: 40 or 45 ft marine, or 48 or 53 ft domesticAxles: Usually three axlesLength: About 40 ft to 53 ft
— Chassis Types
Specialty Chassis
Chassis built for a type of container or cargo rather than a length.
4-Axle and 5-Axle Chassis
A 4-axle or 5-axle chassis spreads a container's weight over more axles and tires than a tandem or tri-axle chassis.
Best For
- Very heavy containers in operations and on routes set up for them
- Shippers who have confirmed the equipment with the carrier first
Manufacturer Specs
- Cheetah 40 ft Lightweight Gooseneck 4-Axle: tare about 7,300 lb; GVWR 75,000 lb; 42.5 in axle spacing; 40 ft 6 in; fifth wheel 47.5 in; rear height 48 in; front bolster bracket for a genset plug
- Cheetah also builds a 40 ft Lightweight Gooseneck 5-axle and a 46–53 ft Extendable 4-Axle for one heavy 20, 40 or 45 ft or two 20 ft containers
Source: Cheetah Chassis, 40 ft Lightweight Gooseneck 4-Axle, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models
Carries: One 40 ft; extendable 4-axle also 20, 45 or two 20sAxles: Four or five axlesLength: 40 ft 6 in (Cheetah 4-axle)
Tank Chassis
A tank chassis is a longer chassis built to carry a 20 ft ISO tank container, the framed tank used for bulk liquids.
Best For
- 20 ft ISO tank containers
- Two empty 20 ft tanks with a Hi-Lo kit
Manufacturer Specs
- Cheetah 43 ft 2-Axle Tank Chassis, Hi-Lo ready: 43.5 ft; 96 in wide; fifth wheel 47 in; kingpin 15 in from the front; 109 in axle centers; tandem center 81.4 in from the rear; tare 7,400 lb; GVWR 80,000 lb
- Cheetah also builds a 44 ft tank chassis; CIE Manufacturing lists a 43 ft drop frame for a 20 ft ISO tank or dry container
Source: Cheetah Chassis, 43 ft 2-Axle Tank Chassis, Hi-Lo Ready, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, CIE Manufacturing, container chassis
Carries: One loaded 20 ft ISO tank, or two empty with a kitAxles: Two axles, 109 in centersLength: 43 ft to 44 ft
Drop Frame Chassis
A drop frame chassis has a deck that steps down behind the front section, which lowers the container and its center of gravity.
Best For
- Tank containers and other loads where a lower center of gravity helps
- Specialty work where the carrier has confirmed the fit
Manufacturer Specs
- CIE Manufacturing 43 ft Drop Frame: for a 20 ft ISO tank or dry container, with a low center of gravity
- Pratt DC403L tri-axle lightweight drop frame, 40 ft; Cheetah 31 ft drop frame
Source: CIE Manufacturing, container chassis, Pratt Industries, tank and container chassis, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models
Carries: 20 ft tank or dry, or 40 ft (by model)Axles: Two or three axlesLength: 31 ft to 43 ft
Genset Chassis
A genset chassis carries a diesel generator set mounted under the frame, which powers a refrigerated container while it is on the road.
Best For
- Refrigerated (reefer) containers that need power between the terminal and the warehouse
- Longer reefer runs and appointments with wait time
Manufacturer Specs
- TRAC Genset Chassis: 40 ft premium marine chassis; underslung Carrier genset; front bolster reefer plug socket
- Cheetah builds custom generator chassis
Source: TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types, Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models
Carries: One 40 ft refrigerated containerAxles: TandemLength: 40 ft 8 in (TRAC)
Hydraulic Tipper Chassis
A tipper chassis has a hydraulic lift that raises the front of the container so bulk cargo pours out the rear doors.
Best For
- Bulk cargo shipped loose in containers, such as grain or resin, where the receiver has a discharge setup
Manufacturer Specs
- Pratt 2040EZ-H tri-axle tipper (40 ft, 102 in wide) and CC243H (24 ft 2 in); tilts up to 45 degrees
Carries: 20 ft or 40 ft container of bulk cargoAxles: Two or three axlesLength: 24 ft 2 in to 40 ft
Short-Box Chassis (8 and 10 ft)
A short-box chassis has extra lock positions for small ISO-style boxes, such as 8 ft and 10 ft units.
Best For
- 8 ft and 10 ft ISO-style boxes
- Small storage or equipment containers
Manufacturer Specs
- Cheetah 38.5 ft Sandmaster II 49 in spread 2-axle: one 10 ft ISO-style box, two empty 10 ft boxes, one 20 ft ISO container or two 8 ft ISO-style boxes
- Pratt builds chassis for 8, 10 and 12 ft containers
Source: Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models, Pratt Industries, tank and container chassis
Carries: One or two 10 ft, two 8 ft, or one 20 ftAxles: Tandem, 49 in spreadLength: 38.5 ft (Cheetah)
— Side by Side
Chassis Types Compared
Every type on one table, with what it carries, its axles and its length from manufacturer specs.
| Chassis | Carries | Axles | Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft slider | One 20 ft container | Tandem, 49 in spread | 23 ft 6 in, slides to 27 ft 6 in | Standard 20 ft dry containers |
| 20 ft tri-axle slider | One heavy 20 ft container | Three axles | 33 ft, extends to 41 ft | Heavy 20 ft loads such as stone, metals, paper or bagged goods |
| 40 ft gooseneck | One 40 ft or 40 ft high cube | Tandem, 49 in spread | 40 ft 8 in | 40 ft standard and 40 ft high cube containers |
| 40 ft lightweight | One 40 ft (some fleets also list 45 ft) | Tandem, 49 in spread | 40 ft 6 in to 41 ft | Heavy 40 ft loads that are close to the legal gross weight |
| 40 ft straight frame | One 40 ft container with no gooseneck tunnel | Tandem, 49 in spread | 40 ft | Non-ISO or special-purpose 40 ft boxes with no tunnel |
| 40 ft tri-axle | One heavy 40 ft container | Three axles | 40 ft 6 in to 41 ft | Heavy 40 ft loads |
| 20/40 combo | One 20 ft or one 40 ft | Tandem, 49 in or spread | 30 ft 6 in to 40 ft 6 in | Operations that switch between 20s and 40s |
| 12-pin | One 40 ft, one 20 ft, or two 20s | Tandem, spread or tri-axle | About 40 ft | Repositioning two empty 20s on one chassis |
| Tri-axle combo | One 20, 40 or 45 ft, or two empty 20s (model-dependent) | Three axles | About 32 ft to 46 ft | Heavy 20s one day and 40s the next on the same chassis |
| Spread-axle | 20 ft or 40 ft, by model | Two axles, 109 in spread | About 33 ft to 46 ft | Loads where axle spacing matters for the weight on the axle group |
| 40/45 extendable | One 40 ft or one 45 ft | Tandem, 49 in spread | 40 ft 8 in to 45 ft 8 in | Fleets that see both 40 ft and 45 ft high cubes |
| 45 ft gooseneck | One 45 ft container | Tandem, 49 in spread | 45 ft 6 in | 45 ft high cube containers |
| 53 ft domestic | One 53 ft domestic container | Sliding tandem | 53 ft 6 in to 53 ft 7 in | Domestic 53 ft rail containers |
| 40/53 extendable | 40 or 45 ft marine, or 48 or 53 ft domestic | Usually three axles | About 40 ft to 53 ft | Operations that handle both marine and domestic containers |
| 4- and 5-axle | One 40 ft; extendable 4-axle also 20, 45 or two 20s | Four or five axles | 40 ft 6 in (Cheetah 4-axle) | Very heavy containers in operations and on routes set up for them |
| Tank chassis | One loaded 20 ft ISO tank, or two empty with a kit | Two axles, 109 in centers | 43 ft to 44 ft | 20 ft ISO tank containers |
| Drop frame | 20 ft tank or dry, or 40 ft (by model) | Two or three axles | 31 ft to 43 ft | Tank containers and other loads where a lower center of gravity helps |
| Genset chassis | One 40 ft refrigerated container | Tandem | 40 ft 8 in (TRAC) | Refrigerated (reefer) containers that need power between the terminal and the warehouse |
| Tipper | 20 ft or 40 ft container of bulk cargo | Two or three axles | 24 ft 2 in to 40 ft | Bulk cargo shipped loose in containers, such as grain or resin, where the receiver has a discharge setup |
| Short-box | One or two 10 ft, two 8 ft, or one 20 ft | Tandem, 49 in spread | 38.5 ft (Cheetah) | 8 ft and 10 ft ISO-style boxes |
Flat racks and open tops. Flat racks, platforms and open-top containers do not have their own chassis category; they ride standard chassis. Hapag-Lloyd states that its 40 ft high cube flats and 40 ft platforms have a gooseneck tunnel at both ends, for transport on a gooseneck chassis.
— For Shippers
How to Choose a Chassis for Your Container
The carrier picks and supplies the chassis, but the details from the shipper decide which one. Send these with the shipment.
- Container size and type. 20, 40, 45 or 53 ft; standard or high cube; dry, reefer, tank, flat rack or open top. A container with no gooseneck tunnel needs a straight frame chassis.
- Gross weight of the cargo. Send the actual weight of the cargo plus the empty container. Heavy 20s and 40s usually go on a tri-axle; see the glossary entries for tri-axle and overweight container.
- How the cargo sits in the box. Weight packed at one end loads one axle group more than the other. Tell us if the load is uneven, so the carrier can set a slider or pick the right axle setup.
- Power for reefers. A reefer that needs to stay running on the road needs a genset chassis.
- Where the chassis comes from. Chassis come from equipment provider pools or carrier fleets, and pool arrangements at LA/Long Beach change. Some specialty chassis are offered by reservation; DCLI lists its 40 ft tri-axle that way. The carrier confirms availability; see Chassis Splits at LA/Long Beach, chassis pool, chassis split and chassis use charge.
— Chassis Pools
Chassis Splits at LA/Long Beach
A chassis split fee is an accessorial charge billed by the trucking or drayage company when the ocean container and the chassis used to haul it are in two different locations, so the driver has to make an additional trip to pick up the chassis from a separate location before picking up the container. At LA/Long Beach, whether a split is needed depends on which chassis pool supplies the chassis and where that pool lets truckers pick up and return equipment.
Pool Changes on July 1, 2026
The Pool of Pools at LA/Long Beach was disbanded. DCLI states that TRAC Intermodal ceased Pool of Pools operations on June 30 and that, starting July 1, DCLI runs its Direct ChassisLink Pools (DCLP) daily rental pool with start/stop locations across the harbor, along with chassis leasing and a reservation-based private pool at its Navy Way facility. TRAC states that on July 1, 2026 it transitioned from the Pool of Pools to the TRAC Pacific Southwest Pool (TPSP), a neutral pool of standard 20, 40 and 45 ft chassis.
Where Chassis Are Picked Up and Returned
DCLI lists DCLP start/stop locations at several terminals and rail ramps, and added two depots: the Navy Way Chassis Depot in San Pedro and Fast Lane in Wilmington. Chassis are available at each location based on inventory, and motor carriers request bare chassis releases from DCLI by email. TRAC states that all TPSP chassis are picked up from Pier S, Pier B or TraPac LA and returned to a start/stop location. When the container is at a different location from the chassis, the driver makes an additional trip to pick up the chassis first, and the trucking or drayage company bills a chassis split fee.
How Chassis Use Is Billed
DCLI states that chassis out-gated after June 30 in the LA/Long Beach pool are billed under chassis rules, meaning each intermodal equipment provider may bill for chassis usage regardless of the container. TRAC bills certain ocean carriers directly and bills use for other carriers' containers to the motor carrier. DCLI states that when an ocean carrier's carrier haulage chassis contract is with DCLI, truckers can take a DCLP chassis at any of its start/stop locations, and that for ocean carriers it does not support, usage charges are the motor carrier's responsibility. Chassis use is separate from container free time; see Demurrage, Detention and Per Diem and the glossary entry for chassis use charge.
What to Confirm at Booking
Send the ocean carrier, the terminal, the container size and whether the container travels under carrier haulage or merchant haulage with the shipment details. The carrier confirms which pool supplies the chassis and whether a split is needed. Pool locations and billing rules are set by the equipment providers and can change; check the current DCLI and TRAC pages listed under Sources.
— Weight and Rules
Chassis Ratings Are Not Legal Limits
A chassis's GVWR or carrying capacity is a manufacturer rating. What a truck, chassis and container may weigh on public roads is set by federal and state law, and depends on the axles, their spacing and the route. No chassis type makes a load legal by itself; the carrier confirms equipment and route before dispatch.
- Federal (Interstate): 80,000 lb gross, 20,000 lb on a single axle and 34,000 lb on a tandem axle, with the Bridge Gross Weight Formula for axle groups (23 CFR 658.17).
- California: 20,000 lb on any one axle (CVC 35550), and gross limits for axle groups set by the distance between the first and last axle, up to 80,000 lb (CVC 35551).
- 53 ft semitrailers in California: the distance from the kingpin to the rearmost axle is limited to 40 ft (CVC 35401.5), which is why 53 ft chassis have a sliding tandem.
- Chassis tare counts: the chassis's own weight is part of the gross. TRAC lists its 20 ft slider chassis tare as 6,700 lb.
- Shipper weight certification: a shipper tendering a loaded container with more than 29,000 lb of cargo must give notice and a certification of the actual gross cargo weight to the first carrier (49 U.S.C. 5902).
- Roadability: the intermodal equipment provider must inspect, repair and maintain the chassis, and the driver inspects it before leaving the terminal (49 CFR 390.40 and 390.42). Chassis interchange is often under the UIIA.
— Sources
Sources
Specs are manufacturer specs or equipment provider fleet specs, which DCLI describes as typical of its fleet and not for any specific chassis. Check the current spec with the carrier.
- DCLI, Pool of Pools FAQs
- TRAC Intermodal, TRAC Pacific Southwest Pool (TPSP)
- DCLI, 23.5 ft Slider Chassis
- DCLI, 20 ft Tri-Axle Slider Chassis
- DCLI, 20/40 ft Combo Tandem Chassis
- DCLI, 40 ft Gooseneck Chassis
- DCLI, 40 ft Lightweight Gooseneck Chassis
- DCLI, 40 ft Tri-Axle Chassis
- DCLI, 40/45 ft Extendable Chassis
- DCLI, 45 ft Gooseneck Chassis
- DCLI, 53 ft Gooseneck Chassis
- DCLI, Spreadaxle Anysizer Chassis
- DCLI, Triaxle Anysizer Chassis
- TRAC Intermodal, chassis equipment types
- Hyundai Translead, container chassis
- Cheetah Chassis, all container chassis models
- Cheetah Chassis, 40 ft Lightweight Gooseneck 4-Axle
- Cheetah Chassis, 43 ft 2-Axle Tank Chassis, Hi-Lo Ready
- Pratt Industries, tank and container chassis
- Max-Atlas, container chassis
- CIE Manufacturing, container chassis
- Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification
- 23 CFR 658.17, federal weight limits
- 49 CFR 390.40 and 390.42, intermodal equipment
- California Vehicle Code 35550
- California Vehicle Code 35551
- California Vehicle Code 35401.5
- 49 U.S.C. 5902, container weight certification