MARIŌVERLAND
Observer
Does anyone have first hand experience shipping a Mercedes sprinter low roof 2x4 in a shipping container? The height of the van is 2435cm. Thanks
Mercedes Sprinter into a shipping container
- Thread starter MARIŌVERLAND
- Start date
Haf-E
Expedition Leader
Here is a useful chart I had bookmarked
http://www.deploymentessentials.com...-Dimensions-40-Foot-and-20-Foot-Container.png
http://www.deploymentessentials.com...-Dimensions-40-Foot-and-20-Foot-Container.png
Haf-E
Expedition Leader
One trick to consider is having a set of shipping wheels made up - some people have used simple steel discs cut from 3/4" material. They go in place of the regular wheels and reduce the height to allow the tall vehicle to fit into a standard container.
I've also seen the small temporary spares adapted to work as shipping wheels as well - but they would take up more space after use in the vehicle.
I've also seen the small temporary spares adapted to work as shipping wheels as well - but they would take up more space after use in the vehicle.
Here's a shipping company that says the Sprinter will fit provided it's shorter than 2600mm
http://xwww.atlantisltd.co.uk/vehicle_shipping/Zambia_vehicles.php
x
http://xwww.atlantisltd.co.uk/vehicle_shipping/Zambia_vehicles.php
x
Haf-E
Expedition Leader
Some of the US sprinters may be taller then the European versions - they used to build the with 15 inch wheels there while her in the usa they came with 16 inch wheels and a 1.5 inch spacer to give more room in the wheel well for snow chains. The first US sprinter production had 15 inch wheels on all models (2002 and early 2003).
That looks like a high cube type container that are only offered in 40/45 foot lengths...
That looks like a high cube type container that are only offered in 40/45 foot lengths...
MARIŌVERLAND
Observer
Thanks for the replies.
haven I forgot to mention that I'm planning on shipping from the UK to Halifax, Canada and from the looks of it Atlantis only ship to the African continent. I'm intrigued by the container in the image though, that looks like a high roof van which wouldn't even fit in a high cube by my reckoning..
Haf-E I think shipping wheels may be the way to go. It looks like possibly a 20cm reduction in height can be achieved.. It will be a bit of a pain having to carry them around in the van but that is a small price to pay I guess. The other option may be a high cube container as per havens post but and from looking at the chart it should fit but I can't find any info on their availability or added costs..
haven I forgot to mention that I'm planning on shipping from the UK to Halifax, Canada and from the looks of it Atlantis only ship to the African continent. I'm intrigued by the container in the image though, that looks like a high roof van which wouldn't even fit in a high cube by my reckoning..
Haf-E I think shipping wheels may be the way to go. It looks like possibly a 20cm reduction in height can be achieved.. It will be a bit of a pain having to carry them around in the van but that is a small price to pay I guess. The other option may be a high cube container as per havens post but and from looking at the chart it should fit but I can't find any info on their availability or added costs..
MARIŌVERLAND
Observer
You must have posted this whilst I was writing a my reply.. Yes, it is the 16inch wheel, 2014 van, no spacers.
Bikersmurf
Expedition Leader
I'd be looking for somewhere under the van to store the shipping wheels. Lots of space under an Ambo... never looked under a sprinter. You could almost just use a set of steel rims with no wheels on them... wouldn't want to drive more than out of the container that way though. I'd bet you could even cut 1/2 the rim off so that you could stack them like large cups (for easier storage... possibly even in the center of the spare.
If you can find a cheap enough option, you could recycle them when you get to Halifax and buy another set when you are ready to ship it next.
If you can find a cheap enough option, you could recycle them when you get to Halifax and buy another set when you are ready to ship it next.
nick disjunkt
Adventurer
why not save the hassle and use a roro vessel? I saw new range rovers, old land-rovers, VW campers and all manner of small vehicles waiting to be loaded when I dropped my truck at southampton a few years ago.
tcfengineering
New member
Just have your shipping wheels made from 1" plywood, or even 1" Plastic. It will be super cheap to get them CNC profile cut and then they take up almost no space and can be stored anywhere. Should be plenty strong enough just to roll in and out of a shipping container.
MARIŌVERLAND
Observer
To answer some questions.
I'm planning on shipping via container for two reasons.
1. Cost
2. Security
RORO is twice as expensive as a regular 20ft container in most circumstances. The van can be emptied of contents on a RORO trip and not from a container.
I like the idea of wood/plastic wheels, not sure if they would stand up to much more than straight on straight off tho, even a small ramp to the container door might be a traction issue?
I'm planning on shipping via container for two reasons.
1. Cost
2. Security
RORO is twice as expensive as a regular 20ft container in most circumstances. The van can be emptied of contents on a RORO trip and not from a container.
I like the idea of wood/plastic wheels, not sure if they would stand up to much more than straight on straight off tho, even a small ramp to the container door might be a traction issue?
MARIŌVERLAND
Observer
Yes I'm looking at a 20ft regular height container, by my calculations it should go but it will be a tight fit! I think maybe 6 inches max clearance all round. My worry is that with ship movement and suspension play it could make contact with the container walls. Is there anyone on here with first hand experience?