❓Why choose self-loading container delivery over a standard drop-off?
If you’ve ever tried to organise the delivery of a shipping container, you’ve likely faced a barrage of jargon, delays, and an inconvenient game of “where do you want us to leave it?” But what if the container could be placed exactly where you need it — gently, precisely, and without needing to hire a separate crane?
Welcome to the world of self-loading container delivery, where side loaders (aka sidelifters) do the heavy lifting — literally. At Containerlift, we don’t just drop off containers, we place them where you want them, using powerful, precise crane-equipped trucks designed for tight spaces, rough ground, and zero faff.
In this guide, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about this revolutionary approach to container delivery — how it works, why it’s better, and what makes Containerlift one of the UK and Europe’s top self-loading container hauliers.
Traditional container delivery has one major flaw: it assumes you’ve got a crane on-site or don’t mind having a 40ft steel box dumped at the kerb. That might work on a freight yard, but for construction sites, tight-access businesses, or farms in the middle of nowhere — it’s utterly impractical.
That’s where self-loading delivery comes into its own.
Unlike standard flatbed deliveries which require external lifting equipment, self-loading trucks (often called side loaders) come fitted with integrated hydraulic cranes. This means they can lift full or empty containers from the truck bed and lower them gently onto the ground — at your site, your farm, your building project, or even that tight car park behind the industrial unit.
At Containerlift, this is our bread and butter. With a fleet of over 30 self-loading vehicles operating nationwide and across Europe, we specialise in providing fast, safe, and hassle-free container delivery where you need it — not just where the truck fits.
In this guide, we’re going to break down how self-loading delivery works, what side loaders actually do, what they can (and can’t) handle, and how it compares with other delivery methods. We’ll also dig into case studies, legal considerations, pricing, and how to prep your site for a seamless delivery.
By the end, you’ll know exactly why self-loading might just be the smartest delivery decision you ever make.
The Full Story: What is Self-Loading Delivery?
What is a Self-Loading Container Truck?
A self-loading container truck — often called a sideloader or side lifter — is a specialist vehicle fitted with hydraulic lifting gear mounted on the side. These rigs can lift and place containers directly onto the ground (or even stack one on top of another).
Unlike conventional delivery methods where containers stay on the trailer or need a third-party crane to offload, sideloaders handle it all.
- ✅ Lifts up to 36 tonnes
- ✅ Handles 20ft, 30ft, 40ft, and 45ft containers
- ✅ Operates with just one driver/operator
- ✅ Can place containers exactly where you want them — even on sloped or uneven ground
At Containerlift, we invest heavily in this tech to give customers maximum flexibility and minimum stress.
How Does It Work?
The side lifter uses a pair of hydraulic cranes — mounted fore and aft on the trailer — to attach chains or hooks to the container’s corner castings. Once secured, the container is lifted vertically off the trailer bed and placed beside it.
Key benefits include:
- 🚫 No external crane hire
- 🕒 Faster setup time
- 🏗️ Safer and more accurate positioning
In tight urban environments, on farms, or on construction sites with no infrastructure — it’s a game-changer.
Who Uses Side Loaders (and Why)?
The short answer? Everyone who’s fed up with the usual hassle.
- Construction firms use them to drop site offices and storage containers on uneven ground
- Retailers use them to position containers behind shops for stock
- Agricultural businesses love the simplicity — especially where forklifts or cranes can’t go
- Events and festivals rely on them for logistics in rural or off-grid locations
Basically, if you don’t have a loading dock or £5k spare for a mobile crane… this is your guy.
What Sizes Can Be Delivered with a Side Loader?
At Containerlift, we can deliver:
- 📦 20ft containers – the most versatile
- 📦 30ft containers – uncommon but handled easily
- 📦 40ft containers – standard for shipping and storage
- 📦 45ft containers – maximum size for most road-legal deliveries
All of these can be lifted up to 36 tonnes, giving you options whether the container is full or empty.
What About Access Requirements?
You don’t need a port, a crane or a miracle.
You will need:
- 🚛 Enough room for the truck (typically needs 5–6m width clearance)
- 🚧 A surface that can take the weight (tarmac, hard ground or hardcore)
- 📏 Height clearance (trees and cables are not your friends)
If in doubt, Containerlift will advise on-site suitability before delivery — no surprises, no stress.
Side Loader vs Hiab vs Flatbed
| Delivery Type | Can Lift? | Precise Placement | Needs Crane Hire? | Speed | Best For |
| Side Loader | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Fast | Most jobs |
| Hiab | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Medium | Overhead lifting |
| Flatbed | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | Slow | Ports only |
The winner? The side loader, nine times out of ten.
H2: Costs & Value
Self-loading delivery may look more expensive at first glance, but you save on:
- 🚫 Crane hire
- 🕒 Wasted site time
- 🤯 Damage from bad offloads
Containerlift’s pricing is all-inclusive, meaning no surprise crane fees. What you see is what you get.
H2: How to Prepare for Your Delivery
Here’s a simple prep checklist:
- ✅ Flat ground (hardcore or concrete ideal)
- ✅ Clear access (check width/height)
- ✅ Know where you want it (we can’t read minds — yet)
- ✅ Tell us what’s inside (it affects weight balance)
Our team will help guide you through all of this before we even start the engine.
Case Study: From Urban Jungle to On-Site Office in 30 Minutes
Client: A construction firm in East London
Challenge: Deliver a 40ft modified container office into a tight site with no crane access
Solution: Containerlift deployed a side loader with a 40ft high cube container modified into an office unit
Result:
- Container placed safely and precisely on-site within 30 minutes
- Zero crane hire required
- Site fully operational the same day
Client feedback:
“We’ve never had such a smooth delivery — the driver was a legend. We usually hire a crane for these, but Containerlift made us rethink our entire logistics chain.” — Site Manager, Camden Build Ltd.
“Why complicate delivery with cranes, permits and delays, when a side loader can do it all?” – Containerlift Ops Manager
Want a hassle-free container delivery experience?
Let Containerlift’s side loaders do the heavy lifting — literally.
📞 Call our team today or request a quote online to see just how easy container transport can be.
👉 Book Your Self-Loading Delivery Now
