--- title: "Rent 20ft Flat Rack Containers London" description: "Hire 20ft flat rack shipping containers in London, ideal for heavy loads and oversized cargo. Discover how these containers can solve your transportation challenges." url: "https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/hire-containers/20ft-flat-rack" date: "2026-04-21T17:36:49+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- ![20ft Flat Racks](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/images/containerimages/20ftFR-London.jpg) # Rent 20ft Flat Rack Containers in Greater London For logistics managers and site foremen facing the challenge of transporting or storing "out-of-gauge" cargo, the standard shipping container often falls short. In a city defined by constant regeneration and heavy infrastructure projects, **Shipping Containers of London** provides the definitive solution. We supply robust 20ft flat rack containers for hire across Greater London and the Home Counties. Engineered without side walls or a roof, these units offer a heavy-duty platform specifically designed for awkward, oversized, or exceptionally heavy loads that require top or side loading. ## The Heavy-Duty Solution for Oversized Cargo A 20ft flat rack is not merely a container without a roof; it is a reinforced structural platform. Designed to handle payloads far exceeding standard limits relative to their size, these units are indispensable for London’s construction and industrial sectors. Whether you are moving compact piling rigs to a tight development site in **Kensington** or transporting industrial generators to **Canary Wharf**, the flat rack allows for loading via crane or heavy-duty forklift from any angle. Our rental fleet consists of high-specification units featuring collapsible flush-folding end walls. This design allows the flat racks to be stacked compactly when not in use, maximising valuable yard space on constrained London sites. ## Key Features and Engineering When you hire a flat rack from us, you are securing a piece of equipment built for the rigours of heavy industry. - **Unrestricted Access:** The absence of a roof and side walls eliminates height and width restrictions on cargo, facilitating the transport of machinery, vehicles, and timber that would otherwise require dismantling. - **Structural Integrity:** Manufactured from heavy-gauge Corten steel, the chassis features a significantly thicker bottom rail than standard container bottom rails to support concentrated loads. - **Collapsible Efficiency:** The end walls can be folded flush with the base, turning the unit into a platform. This allows for the transportation of over-length cargo or efficient stacking during empty return trips. - **Secure Lashing:** Safety is paramount. Our flat racks are equipped with high-strength lashing rings along the side rails, allowing straps and chains to securely hold the load during transit. ## Technical Specifications Understanding the capacity of your equipment is vital for safe logistics. Below are the typical specifications for our 20ft flat rack rental units. 20ft Flat Rack Specifications | Specification | Detail | |---|---| | External Dimensions | 20ft x 8ft x 8ft 6in (6.06m x 2.44m x 2.59m) | | Internal Length | 19ft 7in (5.97m) approx. | | Payload Capacity | Up to 31,000 kg (subject to model) | | Tare Weight | Approx. 2,900 kg | | Structure | Reinforced Corten Steel Chassis | | Floor Type | Softwood planking over steel cross-members | ![A large, wrapped container is being lifted by a crane against a cloudy sky.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/flat-racks-london4_original.jpg) ![A truck trailer loaded with colorful stacked panels, parked in a bare area under a cloudy sky.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/flat-racks-london3_original.jpg) ![A blue shipping container is seen alongside wooden planks and green containers in a storage yard.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/flat-racks-london2_original.jpg) ![A wooden loading surface with a green container background and a logo overlay indicating shipping services.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/flat-racks-london1_original.jpg) ![A blue industrial platform with wheels, resting on a gritty surface, featuring a logo and nearby containers.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/flat-racks-london_original.jpg) ![A large, wrapped container is being lifted by a crane against a cloudy sky.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/thumb/flat-racks-london4_original.jpg) ![A truck trailer loaded with colorful stacked panels, parked in a bare area under a cloudy sky.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/thumb/flat-racks-london3_original.jpg) ![A blue shipping container is seen alongside wooden planks and green containers in a storage yard.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/thumb/flat-racks-london2_original.jpg) ![A wooden loading surface with a green container background and a logo overlay indicating shipping services.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/thumb/flat-racks-london1_original.jpg) ![A blue industrial platform with wheels, resting on a gritty surface, featuring a logo and nearby containers.](https://shippingcontainersoflondon.co.uk/media/spgallery/177/thumb/flat-racks-london_original.jpg) ## Strategic Applications in London The versatility of the 20ft flat rack makes it a staple asset across various industries in the capital. - **Construction and Infrastructure:** Essential for moving pre-cast concrete sections, crane parts, and large piping systems to sites with limited access. - **Specialist Logistics:** Used by freight forwarders to transport boats, vehicles, or industrial tanks that cannot be containerised in a standard dry van. - **On-Site Bridging:** Due to their immense structural strength, flat racks are occasionally used as temporary bridges over trenches or as heavy-duty roadways on muddy sites. ## The Rental Process We have streamlined our hiring process to ensure rapid deployment to your site. 1. **Consultation:** Contact our team to discuss your load requirements. We will advise on whether a fixed-end or collapsible-end unit is best suited for your project. 2. **Logistics Planning:** Delivering a flat rack requires a HIAB vehicle. We will assess your site access to ensure our trucks can manoeuvre safely. 3. **Delivery:** Our transport team will deliver and offload the unit to the exact location required. 4. **Collection:** Once your project concludes, simply notify us to arrange the collection of the empty unit. ## Frequently Asked Questions #### What is the difference between fixed-end and collapsible flat racks? Fixed-end flat racks have permanently upright end walls, which provide higher stacking strength for shipping. Collapsible flat racks have end walls that fold down flush with the floor. The collapsible version is generally preferred for rental purposes as it is easier to transport and store when empty. #### How much space is needed to deliver a 20ft flat rack? Delivery of a 20ft unit requires a rigid HIAB lorry, which is approximately 30-35ft long. The driver needs significant turning space and a firm, hard-standing surface. We generally cannot deliver units to soft ground or grass without specific trackway preparations. #### Can I transport cargo wider than the flat rack? Yes, this is one of the main benefits. However, if the cargo protrudes beyond the container's width (Out of Gauge or OOG), it may incur higher shipping costs by sea, as it will occupy multiple container slots. For on-site storage, width is rarely an issue. #### Do these units come with tarpaulins? Flat racks are open units and do not typically come with covers. If weather protection is required for your cargo, you will need to arrange heavy-duty tarpaulins or shrink wrap independently, or consider an Open Top container, which includes a roof bow and tarp system. #### What is the minimum hire period? Our standard minimum rental term is 8 weeks. This ensures we can offer competitive rates while covering the logistical costs of deploying such heavy equipment. 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