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Why We Don’t Move Full Containers

You might wonder: if you rent a container, can it be moved later — even when full? At Eagle Leasing, our answer is no, and there are good reasons behind that decision. In this blog, we’ll break down why we don’t move full containers, and what that means for your jobsite or project.

To show you exactly what we mean, we created a Container 101 video that explains why not.

Why We Don’t Move Full Containers: The Reasons

1. Structural Stress & Safety Dangers

Containers are engineered to support stacking and transport when properly loaded and empty, not when fully filled. Moving them full can:

Warp floor support beams
Cause joint fatigue at corners
Overstress locking mechanisms
Create dangerous load shifts mid-transit

For your safety — and to protect your contents and our containers — we avoid moving full units.

2. Damage to Your Contents

Anything inside is vulnerable: boxes can collapse, inventory can shift, even fragile equipment can suffer damage when the container moves under uneven load distribution.

3. Liability & Insurance Risks

From a liability standpoint, a moving container carries more risk. If damage occurs to third-party property or cargo during relocation, contracts and insurance become more complicated.

4. Efficiency & Logistics

Full-container moves require extra handling, unloading, reloading, careful balancing, and more time and cost. Simplifying by relocating when empty is safer, faster, and more predictable.

5. Power of our equipment

This is a big reason why we cannot move our containers when they are full. Our tilt-bed trucks are built to deliver empty containers, not move loaded ones. They use a winch and incline system — which works great when the container is light. But fully loaded containers (up to 71,650 lbs) are too heavy and unstable to haul this way.

More On Why our Equipment Cannot Move Full Containers

We specialize in delivering and picking up containers — not hauling heavy freight. Our tilt-bed trucks use a ramp system and winch to pull containers up an incline. That setup works perfectly for empty units. But when a container is fully loaded, tilting becomes a major risk: the contents shift downhill, the center of gravity changes rapidly, and the chance of tipping or damage increases sharply.

Fully Loaded Means Seriously Heavy

A standard 40-foot container can legally weigh up to 71,650 pounds (32,500 kg) when loaded. That’s far beyond what our ramp trucks — or their winches — are designed to handle safely on a slope. Most cable winches on rollback or tilt trailers top out around 12,000 to 20,000 pounds of pulling force, and even that power drops significantly as the cable wraps around the drum. Now imagine trying to drag over 60,000 pounds up an angled ramp.

Tilt-Loading Doesn’t Work for Full Loads

Here’s why:

Inclines shift cargo. Gravity pulls everything toward the back wall, which crushes improperly secured items and increases tipping risk.
Winches aren’t built for this. Even strong winches struggle against both the weight and the angle. The risk of mechanical failure rises fast.
Wrong lift points. ISO containers are meant to be lifted by the corner castings using spreader bars, not dragged by floor rails or side supports.
Regulations matter. FMCSA and OSHA rules require stable, secured cargo. When a container tilts, even well-packed goods can shift — which violates those safety rules.

Forklifts Aren’t a Fix

Yes, containers have forklift pockets — but those are only for empty lifts. Using them to move a loaded container risks bending the floor and damaging the frame. It’s outside the container’s design limits and violates safe handling standards.

Bottom line: Our tilt-bed trucks are optimized for empty containers. For full loads, we prioritize safety — yours and ours — by sticking to what our equipment is built to handle. If you need a loaded unit relocated, we’ll gladly refer you to a crane or side lifter service that can get it done safely and by the book.

What Happens Before We Move a Container

Because we don’t relocate full containers, here’s how we handle moves:

You Empty the Unit (with our support)
We’ll coordinate how to unload — drop-off schedule, labor, or moving help if needed. (Need help organizing your container for easy an easy clean up? Check out this blog post)
We Inspect
Before moving, we examine the container to ensure no damage, warping, or structural issues.
Safe Transport
Only after the container is fully cleared do we move it, reducing risk for everyone involved.
Reload at Destination
When it arrives, you restock in the new location with confidence.