Height issue in Germany

We all know how the Germans like their height limit of 4m but how do the high cube containers get on?

We’ve been asked to quote to take a 40’ container to Germany & I won’t know till tomorrow morning if it’s a standard or ‘High cube’, obviously if it’s a standard it will go on a ‘thin neck’ skelly at 4m so no problem but if it’s a high cube it’ll always be over the magic number 4.

So, is the limit only for ‘fixed body’ & ‘intermodal’ get some sort of a ‘by’ or is it cast in stone at 4M, I’m certain I’ve seen high cube boxes on the road over there but I could be wrong.

Ross.

In germany the law says there is no difference between fixed or intermodal transports…the maximum height is fixed at 4 m.You are not allowed to get higher.If your company told you to go to germany with a container over the limit,your company must have a special permit for transport over 4 m. Over 4 m without special permit is illegal and it will cost enough money for you and your company.
In germany we only have a difference with the total weight between intermodal and fixed units.Normally there is a maximum weight limit in Germany of 40 Tons for the complete unit…for intermodal transport units there is maximum 44 Tons allowed.

Silverwolve:
In germany the law says there is no difference between fixed or intermodal transports…the maximum height is fixed at 4 m.You are not allowed to get higher.If your company told you to go to germany with a container over the limit,your company must have a special permit for transport over 4 m. Over 4 m without special permit is illegal and it will cost enough money for you and your company.
In germany we only have a difference with the total weight between intermodal and fixed units.Normally there is a maximum weight limit in Germany of 40 Tons for the complete unit…for intermodal transport units there is maximum 44 Tons allowed.

Thanks, I’ve been asked to quote for the job for one of our best customers. The load is very expensive & temperature sensitive chemicals that must be kept within a couple of degrees of it’s ideal temp so it’s a reefer container running about +12deg. Now I know there’s no height tolerance I can make some more concrete plans, we’re picking up a long term hire 40’ refrigerated container for them in the morning & that’s to be used for storage during the manufacture-packaging process.

They have it in their heads that it can once loaded be lifted on to a skelly for delivery, but with a 4m limit it will only possible if the container is standard & carried on a ‘thin neck’ trailer, if it’s a high cube they will have to find a standard.

Thanks for the help Silverwolve, I’ll know more tomorrow morning.

Ross.

If there is a possibility to get a special permit for this transport than it doesn´t matter.But i don´t know how long it will takes time to get such a permit. And with a special permit for higher transport you will get a prescribed itinerary.The Problem in Germany are the lower bridges in Germany. On the motorway is not the biggest problem,the most bridges signed with 4m are at the most places 4,10 m or 4,15 m, but not everywhere.You can´t trust in it…so it´s better to go no Risk.The biggest Problems will come away from motorways.

Silverwolve:
If there is a possibility to get a special permit for this transport than it doesn´t matter.But i don´t know how long it will takes time to get such a permit. And with a special permit for higher transport you will get a prescribed itinerary.The Problem in Germany are the lower bridges in Germany. On the motorway is not the biggest problem,the most bridges signed with 4m are at the most places 4,10 m or 4,15 m, but not everywhere.You can´t trust in it…so it´s better to go no Risk.The biggest Problems will come away from motorways.

Absolutely, “no risk” on this. The company we’re quoting for are a big player in the petro-chemical game & while they like it done their way, once you inform them that their way can’t be done they retreat & research what you tell them then come back & tell you the new plan, as if (of course) it was them that sorted it. They are however great payers don’t expect anything done on the cheap, just done properly & safely. But most importantly they ask us first and if they can make the numbers add up we get the job and as they have asked for it to be done in ‘their’ container it’ll be priced as a round trip bringing the container back empty.

Ross.

If it is a high cube would it be overhight if it went on a lo-loader with twist locks. It would be over length so you would probably need some kind of permit but atleast you would be able to use normal routes.

Agree with what’s been said but would it not sit on a mega flat or mega skelly and be within height limits, meaning a low-ride trailer and unit. Pm me if you want more info I run this type of outfit.

Plambert:
Agree with what’s been said but would it not sit on a mega flat or mega skelly and be within height limits, meaning a low-ride trailer and unit. Pm me if you want more info I run this type of outfit.

Would be the easiest option with a high cube. That said it would need twist locks I imagine to satisfy the Eric’s. Der Farterland isn’t as hard as you imagine running over height depending whereabouts you’re going. :laughing: You’ll need permits, ■■■■■■ and convoi lookatme flashers n signs.The Immingham Cuxhaven tub may be useful depending on destination as it means you only need to bother with German permits etc otherwise you’ll need to cover any countries you transit too.
I’ve done plenty of stuff up to 4.5m over there but the man you should pm is jj72 as that’s more his territory. I prefer the sunnier climes :grimacing: :grimacing: :grimacing:

Or you cud use a noot boom or a van hool skelly. plenty hire firms have them in the uk they will take a hi cube at 4m if you are at a 1250 mm 5th wheel you will prob be around 4.04 m but that’s acceptable .

Thanks for the info guys, the container is a standard 40’ so no probs with a ‘thin neck’ skelly, also found a product name & it’s definitely none ADR so that’s a relief as we do a lot of ADR work for this customer.

At this time they’re using the container to warm 16 IBC’s and this is the variable in the ‘when it’s going’, we’re putting a price in before the end of the week once we have an exact destination.

Thanks again for the help peeps.

Ross.