EXTENDABLE CHASSIS: KEY FEATURES AND APPLICATIONS IN THE US

21 Oct, 2024

The extendable chassis is an essential vehicle in transportation, especially when handling bulky and heavy loads. This versatile vehicle accommodates different cargo sizes, ensuring efficient and safe transport. In this article, Thaco Trailers will provide a comprehensive overview of the unique features and applications of extendable chassis in the US to help you choose the right one to optimize operations and reduce transportation costs.

1. What is an extendable chassis?

An extendable chassis is a type of trailer designed to adjust its length to suit different cargo sizes. This flexibility makes it ideal for transporting containers of various sizes without the need for multiple chassis sizes. This type can adjust its size to fit various container sizes. Extendable chassis are designed to carry containers ranging from 20 ft to 53 ft long tunnel. You can simply change the container lock positions for the best fit and load distribution. By extending or retracting the chassis, operators can easily adapt to varying cargo lengths, enhancing the versatility of their transportation fleet.

What is an extendable chassis?

2. Key Dimensions of an Extendable Chassis

The dimensions of an extendable chassis can vary depending on its design and intended use. However, most extendable chassis have adjustable lengths ranging from 40ft chassis to 53ft chassis. This adjustability allows for the safe and efficient transportation of container sizes that accommodate large cargo, such as long steel beams or large machinery. The extendable chassis’s width typically remains consistent at around 8.5 feet, ensuring it complies with standard road regulations.

3. Common Types of Extendable Chassis

Extendable chassis come in several types, each designed for specific transportation needs:

Extendable Container Chassis: These chassis are primarily used for transporting shipping containers of various sizes. They can adjust to fit 20-foot, 40-foot, or even longer containers, making them highly versatile.
Extendable Flatbed Chassis: This type of chassis is ideal for carrying long and bulky items, such as steel beams, pipes, or construction materials. Specifically, their flat surface provides a stable platform for large, irregularly shaped loads.
Specialized Extendable Chassis: Thaco Trailers’ chassis is greatly customizable, with various configurations available for each component of a chassis, including chassis length, axle set-up, genset availability, lightweight frame, etc. Thaco Trailers’ products are tailored to meet customers’ demands with the most suitable choice of equipment for the highest possible performance of the chassis.

4. Applications of Extendable Chassis in the US

In the US, extendable chassis are widely used across various industries due to their versatility and ability to handle various sizes of loads. They are crucial in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and logistics, where the transportation of large and heavy equipment is common. Moreover, the ability of extendable chassis to adjust its length in order to make it perfect for carrying containers came from many different sizes, decreasing the need for separate chassis for different sizes, reducing deadheading time, and ensuring safe and efficient transportation.

5. What are the advantages of an extendable chassis compared to a fixed chassis?

Extendable chassis offers several advantages over fixed chassis, including:

Flexibility: Versatility is a key feature of extendable chassis. This chassis can accommodate two different container sizes with shortened and extended configurations, thanks to its adjustability. For example, the 40’/45’ extendable chassis can accommodate 40′ containers as standard and can be extended to carry the 45′ containers as required. This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for routes where container sizes may vary. The extendable design allows operators to adapt to different cargo requirements without needing multiple chassis, optimizing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Efficiency: With an extendable chassis, operators can optimize load space, resulting in fewer trips and reduced transportation costs.
Safety: Extendable chassis are designed to secure large loads effectively, minimizing the risk of accidents and damage during transport.

6. How to choose a suitable extendable chassis?

Choosing the right extendable chassis involves considering several factors, including industry-specific usage, payload capacity, and the number of axles required.

6.1 Industry-specific usage and requirements

Different industries have varying needs when it comes to transportation. For example, the construction industry may require an extendable chassis that can handle heavy, bulky materials, while the logistics sector might prioritize versatility and adaptability for transporting diverse cargo types. Understanding these specific requirements is crucial when selecting the appropriate chassis.

6.2 Payload capacity and number of axles

The payload and axles are among the key things that can be thought of. The chassis to be designed should also be strong enough to support the maximum load of the carriage. Also regarding axles, more units increase the stability and maneuverability of the chassis when it carries heavy loads for a long distance.

6.3 Why choose the Extendable Chassis of Thaco Trailers?

Thaco Trailers is the largest manufacturer of semi-trailers and semi-trailer trucks in Vietnam and is famous for being a pioneer and updating technological advancement in the manufacturing industry. The extendable chassis from Thaco Trailers offers several unique selling points:

Advanced Technology: At Thaco Trailers, we are not just about meeting up to par with modern technology, rather we employ them. For these reasons, we employ the most contemporary, best-in-industry systems and guarantee that not only does our extended chassis conform to standards, but also exceeds them.
Customization Options: It is understood that sectors and client-specific demands differ, Thaco Trailers has fitted various customization services into the system. There is always tight cooperation with customers over design modifications for every chassis while there is an exact fit with the task to be performed.
Durability: Thaco extends the front and rear axles to make the chassis more robust in structure, and by using high-quality material in construction, the company’s extendable chassis can meet the need of the heavy logistic transport industry on the long-period promise, solving the problem of chassis failure due to poor structure and quality which is commonly found in other types of chassis.

Here are the two types of Extendable Chassis of Thaco Trailers

The 40/45’ Extendable Tandem at Thaco Trailers is engineered to load 1 x ISO 40′ or 1 x ISO 45′ container through its expandable design. This product is capable of carrying either a 40ft or 45ft standard container with a payload capacity of up to 67,200 lbs (approximately 30,480 kg). Furthermore, its integrated locking pin release mechanism, housed within the main beam, safeguards against shearing forces and ensures maximum safe load capacity.

The 40/45’ Extendable Tandem

The 20’/40′ City Combo Tandem at Thaco Trailers is capable of carrying a 20ft container with a payload capacity of up to 52,910 lbs (approximately 24,000 kg) or a 40ft container with a payload capacity of up to 67,200 lbs (approximately 30,480 kg. This chassis is designed to provide the optimal solution for urban transport and can be customized as a combo chassis for versatile use.

The 20'/40' City Combo Tandem

Extendable chassis offer a compelling solution for transportation companies seeking versatility, cost-efficiency, and operational optimization. With its adaptability to diverse container types and streamlined intermodal capabilities, the extendable chassis represents a valuable asset for any logistics operation. Thaco Trailers’ extendable chassis stand out as top-tier products that meet international standards, making them the ideal choice for businesses seeking reliable and efficient transportation solutions. Contact Thaco Trailers today or visit our product pages to find the perfect extendable chassis for your needs.

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