9 Things People Forget Before Booking a Storage Container Towing

If you’re someone from Brisbane, you know it’s the beating heart of Australian industry. Just drive down to any major road and you’ll see hundreds of containers moving around. However, don’t let the familiarity fool you. For first-timers, booking towing storage containers is not a walk in the park. 

They miss out on small details that turn the job into a logistical disaster later. But hey, we are here to help you avoid them. In this blog, Brisbane Towing and Recovery - a leading tow truck provider in Brisbane - will share a list of problems people make before hiring a storage container towing service. We will also share practical steps you can consider to avoid them. 

We think the best for our readers. So, we want to make sure you’re fully prepared to make your next move with confidence and ease! 

What People Forget Before Booking Storage Container Towing? 

Here are common oversights that usually turn routine tow into a costly, day-long standstill and solutions to avoid them: 

Problem #1: Accurate container weight 
 

One most important information you need to submit to your towing company is the accurate container weight. Most novices either guess or forget to include tare weight (empty weight of a container) to the weight of contents. Understand that this factor determines what type of truck is required for the job, lashing needs, and specific axle ratings required by law. 

Report the weight as a few tonnes less and you may end up hiring a smaller, cheaper tilt tray that may not be able to carry heavy weight or legally transport. This immediately translates to a cancellation, new costly booking and delay that might spoil your schedule for the day. 

So, know the number, just don’t guess it!

Problem #2 Clearance and Access 

Alright, so you’ve packed the container and the tow truck is on its way. But hey, are you aware of the lurky danger that is vertical clearance? Container tow trucks are by far raised higher in comparison to ordinary vehicles. We’ve seen hundreds of jobs stopped because a customer wrote off a low-hanging mango tree across their driveway. Sometimes, ill-fitting awning on their balcony or even utility line dropping too low to the ground. 

Every inch matters for a successful drop-off. If not paid much attention, you may end up scraping the roof. Worse? Damaged infrastructure. Walk over the entire path your tow truck will take - both on road and on your property - with a keen eye. Let nothing pass less than 4.8 metres.

Problem #3 Surface stability and space 

A fully loaded 20-foot container, accompanied by a side-loader truck, can exert a pressure of 30-40 tonnes on the ground. Now this leads to the significance of surface and space stability. Towing workers rely on hard flat ground. Should you intend to drop the container on a recently laid patch of soft turf, muddy ground or even a crumbling old driveway, chances are that the truck will be bogged down. Its surface will be ruined and become precariously tipped on the lift. 

Container towing trucks require a lot of space (often 15+ metres of clear length) to carry the lifting equipment. In tight spaces, job cannot be accomplished. Examine your location thoroughly. Make certain both ground and space are prepared to receive industrial-grade machinery.

Problem #4 Unloading permits 

One of the biggest things that often goes unnoticed when towing a storage container in Australia. Say your hired truck arrives, the street is clear and the ground is firm. Everything looks fine. But then an enforcement officer from a local council comes and asks you to STOP right there. Reason? You have called a tow truck in a densely populated commercial or residential area where you can’t stop or block traffic for even 30 minutes. 

Ask your towing company if they can take care of loading/unloading permits. Brisbane Towing and Recovery can handle not just the logistics but also help its clients in getting the pivotal permits. Remember, you can’t neglect this step. Otherwise, you’ll face hefty fines and immediate job cancellation. 

Problem #5 Emptying contents 

Although a few container towing companies can move much heavier weight, one huge miscalculation made by first-time movers is to think that a tow company can move their container when it’s totally full without letting them know. This carries with it not only vast complications to point number one (weight) but also extraneous risk. 

When transporting a storage unit, it is advised to let your tow operator know about the contents. They will ask you to secure it or empty at least part of them. Particularly when they go over and above normal road sizes. This way, they can safely handle before you strap the doors shut. 

Check out these resources as well: 

Moving container houses guide

Cost of shipping containers in Australia

Shipping container hauling tips

Problem #6 Required tie-downs and security 

The outside of a container may seem impregnable - true. But interior? Completely susceptible to forces of acceleration, deceleration, and vibration of roads. Another common storage container towing mistake mostly done during long-haul moves is the failure to apply appropriate internal tie-downs as well as security. 

Just think about going around a corner; only for three tonnes of unattended materials to smash into the container wall. That changes the centre of gravity. Leaving your tow truck unbalanced and possibly crushing your precious cargo to pieces. Make sure that you secure all the items with industrial-grade lashing, straps and protective dunnage before the doors are closed. 

Sure container is under your towing partner. But the safe movement of what goes inside is under your responsibility! 

Problem #7 Structural integrity check 

For those who don’t know, there are 4 points upon which a container relies. They are called corner castings. These are the exact robust steel fittings on which the lifting chains or twist locks are attached. If your container is older, highly rusted or even damaged by impacts, chances are these corners are already compromised. 

While picking a container towing company, ask them if you could pre-check these four corners. You can eliminate hours of waiting and the cost of an aborted service call. 

Problem #8 Specific time windows 

We hope you already know that booking storage towing containers is nothing like booking an Uber. They involve complex scheduling, traffic, and unexpected stalling at past jobs. One of the biggest shortcomings is inability to verify a realistic time frame or anticipate exact timing. If you reserve a time slot of 9:00 AM and the truck is delayed by some unforeseen permit check or road closure on the Brisbane side, your entire day will be thrown off. 

Punctuality is highly valued by professionals like Brisbane Towing and Recovery. However, it is important to be realistic in your plans and schedule by establishing a 2-4 hour buffer and constant communication. Always talk with the company regarding notification for delays so that you don’t have to wait in vain.

Problem #9 Gate/door orientation 

Yes, it’s a minor detail. But implications if you overlook it? They can be massive, especially with side-loading tow services. When a storage container is placed on the ground at the end of your destination, check if the doors are facing where you need them to be (usually towards the street or house). 

Fail to give orientation of your gate or door during container tow truck booking and your container might end up facing the opposite direction. Even a few feet of orientation of a fully loaded container is a significant, expensive and time consuming task. 

Always make it clear - “I want the doors open on the east side” or “Doors should be 1 metre away on the house side off the curb.” 

Book Best Storage Container Towing Services in Brisbane

There you go! 

We have shared and discussed some critical issues that often go unnoticed when booking a storage container towing service. We understand that these small details might seem tedious to you now. But if you keep them in mind, you might shield yourself against stress, delays, and unexpected costs down the line. 

Just don’t leave your container transport to chance. You can consider hiring Brisbane Towing and Recovery to keep your valuable assets exactly where they need to be. Not only do we meticulously plan but we also take care of safety and transparency. Logistical headaches? Bye-bye! 

Call us on 0438 155 555 to book our container towing services today. 

We are also popular for accident car recovery, container towing, machinery towing, and more.