A skeletal trailer, or “skele” for short, is a specialised open-frame chassis designed specifically for transporting ISO shipping containers. Unlike other trailers, it doesn’t have a floor, sides or roof — just a strong steel frame equipped with twistlocks to securely position and lock down containers.
Skeletal trailers are not designed for carrying loose or irregular payloads. Instead, they are purpose-built to handle standard container sizes, such as 20ft, 30ft, 40ft, or 45ft, depending on the trailer configuration.
The simplicity of the chassis means they are lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to maintain. Many are designed to be extendable or adjustable to accommodate different container lengths, and their open structure allows for quick and efficient container loading and unloading using cranes or reach stackers.
Because they are optimised for container transport, skeletal trailers play a vital role in intermodal logistics, moving containers between ports, rail terminals, and distribution centres.
