Self-Loading Side Lifter Transport Services
Load, transport, and ground-place 20ft & 40ft shipping containers up to 30 tonnes.
No mobile crane required.
What is Side Lifter Container Transport?
Side Lifter Container Transport (also known as a sidelifter or self-loading trailer) is a specialized freight solution equipped with integrated hydraulic cranes that lift, transport, and offload shipping containers directly at ground level. Capable of handling 20ft and 40ft containers weighing up to 30 tonnes, side lifters eliminate the need for expensive mobile crane hire or specialized yard equipment. By lifting and placing containers parallel to the trailer frame, side lifters excel at operating in tight industrial spaces, narrow alleys, and low-clearance locations where conventional cranes cannot fit; delivering a faster, single-operator solution that significantly reduces site logistics costs.
How Side Lifters Cut Container Handling Costs
Relying on separate mobile cranes or reach stackers adds thousands to site logistics budgets and introduces costly idle time. RRE Logistics side lifters integrate the vehicle and hydraulic lifting cranes into a single mobile unit.
Zero Mobile Crane Expenses: Skip the stand-by fees, dual-operator rates, and transport levies of external crane hire.
Single-Operator Efficiency: One trailer handles loading, road transit, and offloading at destination.
Eliminate Downtime: No waiting for crane crews to arrive on-site; offload immediately upon arrival.
Precision Placement in Confined Sites
Standard tilt trays or heavy cranes require extensive overhead clearance and wide turning radii. Our side lifters extend hydraulic stabilizer legs and place containers parallel to the trailer, making them ideal for:
Narrow Alleys & Warehouses: Offload directly alongside buildings, security fences, or loading bays.
Low-Overhead Structures: Place containers safely beneath roof overhangs, power lines, or covered yards where vertical crane booms cannot reach.
Double Stacking: Transfer containers directly onto rail wagons, flatbed trailers, or stack containers two-high to maximize tight yard storage.
FAQs
How much money do you save using a side lifter instead of hiring a crane?
Using a side lifter eliminates secondary mobile crane rental, which can cost anywhere from R3,500 to R10,000+ per drop depending on tonnage and call-out fees. Because the side lifter carries its own hydraulic lift mechanism, you pay a single transport rate rather than coordinating separate transport trucks and crane operators.
What is the maximum weight a side lifter can load and transport?
RRE Logistics side lifters are rated to lift and transport container payloads of up to 30 tonnes, accommodating fully loaded 20ft and 40ft general purpose and high-cube containers.
Can a side lifter deliver a container in narrow or tight spaces?
Yes. Side lifters offload containers directly parallel to the trailer frame (within approximately 1.5 to 2 meters to the side). They require minimal vertical clearance compared to mobile cranes, allowing ground placement under low overhangs, inside covered facilities, or along tight boundary walls.
Can side lifters stack containers on top of each other?
Yes, our side lifter trailers can stack containers two-high on flat ground or transfer containers directly onto or off other flatbed trailers and rail chassis.