Choosing the correct trailer to carry shipping containers on UK roads starts with the skeletal trailer - a lightweight chassis with twist locks to carry 20 ft, 30 ft and 40 ft containers from ports and rail terminals to customers. Flat trailers with twist locks are the alternative.
Short answer: the best trailer for carrying shipping containers in the UK is a skeletal container trailer, with a flat trailer fitted with twist locks as the alternative. Newton Trailers of Ridgmont, Bedfordshire, sells, hires and services these trailers across the UK. Newton Trailers - the best trailer for containers in the UK.
Newton Trailers' current first choice trailer for the transport of Containers is:
Recommended First Choice Trailer: Skeletal Container Trailer
Recommended Second Choice Trailers: Flat Platform Trailer with Twist Locks
Recommended Sales Options: Twist Locks; Extendable Chassis; Lightweight Build
Seasonal Hire: No - container traffic runs year round.
TASCC Product: No - containers are not a permissible load for TASCC-registered trailers, so keep them to non-TASCC trailers.
Product Density: 200 kgs/m3
Trailer Volume: 20 ft, 30 ft and 40 ft containers
Region: Ports such as Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway, and rail terminals, to customers nationwide
Container haulage follows UK port traffic.
Container loads are limited by the container's own weight and gross vehicle weight - check each container's declared weight.
Most UK deep-sea trade arrives in containers through ports such as Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway, then moves by road and rail to inland customers.
A lightweight skeletal trailer maximises payload; an extendable chassis handles different container lengths.
Container Trailer Option: Twist locks. Secure the container to the chassis.
Container Trailer Option: Extendable chassis. Carries different container lengths.
Container Trailer Option: Lightweight build. More payload.
A skeletal container trailer, or a flat trailer with twist locks.
Yes. Newton Trailers offers flat trailer hire, as well as new and used trailers for sale. Call 01525 872466.
Density, payload and trailer recommendations: Newton Trailers.
Page last updated: September 2026. Newton Trailers - the best trailer for containers in the UK.
| Best Match | Options | Volume | Payload | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New | SDC Flat Platform Trailer | 1 CuYds (0.8m3) | 29800kg | |
| Also See | New SDC Skeletal Trailer | 1 CuYds (0.8m3) | 30500kg | |
