How to Distinguish Intermodal Equipment Chassis from Other Trailers

CIE Manufacturing

Intermodal equipment (IME) is defined as any trailing equipment that moves containers over public highways in interstate commerce. Almost always, this trailing equipment is a chassis but sometimes can include trailers as well. While trailers in this capacity are subject to the same regulations as chassis, distinguishing between them can be a challenge if you don’t know what to look for.

That being said, identifying features can be found both on the chassis and the container, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. While an intermodal container is not part of the IME, it can help identify an IME chassis from van trailers by the information on its doors. However, an IME chassis itself does have some distinct differences in its structural features and reflective markings.

An IME chassis can be identified by two main structural features. Twist locks are safety features that ensure the locking mechanisms are properly secured when attaching ISO containers to a chassis. One way to tell an IME chassis from other trailers is to look at each lower corner of the chassis to see if these twist locks are present.

The second feature is the large beam that can be found under the container floor. It typically runs the length of the chassis along the lower frame. This is also not usually present on standard van trailers.

Intermodal containers are often marked with detailed information about their capacity (weight, cubic capacity, maximum gross weight, etc.) on the rear doors. This kind of detail is not typically marked on standard dry van trailers.

Reflective markings, like retro-reflective tape, can be found on the IME chassis rather than the container it’s transporting. This is different from van trailers in that reflective tape is typically applied around the trailer walls.

We are proud to say that our chassis are North American made and globally sourced. We use only top-of-the-line components and techniques in our production assembly and are confident in the durability and longevity of our products.

With locations on both the East Coast (VA) and West Coast (CA), CIE strives to be the premier manufacturer of IME in the United States. Having invested in our fully renovated location in VA, we take our future and our values seriously. We have an extensive dealer network across the country, leveraging our state-of-the-art technology to provide the safest, most affordable, and highest-quality products on the market.