Not every set of shipping container wheels is built for the same job. A 10FT container being repositioned in an empty yard puts a very different load on its wheels than a fully loaded 40FT container carrying machinery. Picking the wrong capacity is the single most common mistake we see — either paying for more caster than the job needs, or under-specifying and risking wheel failure under load.
This guide breaks down the three main load tiers in the Twistlock Dynamics range — Compact, Pro, and Xtreme — so you can match the right wheels for shipping containers to your actual weight and use case.
Why load capacity is the first decision, not the last
Shipping container wheels are rated by two numbers: dynamic load (safe weight while rolling) and static load (safe weight while stationary). Buyers often look at container size — 20FT vs 40FT — as the deciding factor, but size alone doesn’t tell you what the container weighs. An empty 40FT container and a 40FT container loaded with generators or server racks can differ by tens of thousands of kilograms. Always size your container wheels to the loaded weight, not the container’s shell dimensions.
Compact — 5,400KG dynamic load
The Compact series is built for lighter-duty repositioning: empty containers, yard shuffling, and light equipment housings. Each wheel is 150mm in diameter, mounted with the same ISO 1161-compatible twist-lock as the rest of the range, so switching to Compact wheels doesn’t require any modification to the container itself.
- Empty or near-empty containers
- Short-distance yard repositioning
- Light storage or office conversions
Pro — 13,500KG dynamic load
Pro is the mid-range workhorse and the series most of our customers land on. With a 250mm wheel diameter and the same twist-lock mounting, it’s rated for fully loaded 20FT containers and moderately loaded 40FT containers. This is also where you’ll find the Pro SL variant, which swaps the standard twist-lock for a side-lock mechanism when your corner casting orientation calls for it.
- Loaded 20FT containers
- Moderately loaded 40FT containers
- General logistics and warehouse repositioning
Xtreme — 30,000KG dynamic load
Xtreme is the heavy-duty option, engineered for fully loaded 40FT containers and ISO tanks. At 400mm wheel diameter with a side-lock mechanism, it’s the series to specify when weight is the primary concern — dense cargo, industrial equipment, or ISO tank containers carrying liquid loads.
- Fully loaded 40FT containers
- ISO tank containers
- Heavy industrial or dense cargo loads
Quick reference
| Series | Wheel diameter | Dynamic load | Static load | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | 150mm | 5,400KG | 7,200KG | Empty containers, yard moves |
| Pro | 250mm | 13,500KG | 18,000KG | Loaded 20FT / moderate 40FT |
| Xtreme | 400mm | 30,000KG | — | Fully loaded 40FT, ISO tanks |
A note on corner castings
Every series in this range mounts to the same ISO 1161 corner castings already built into your container — no welding, no modification. That means if your load profile changes later (say you upgrade from empty repositioning to loaded transport), you can swap wheel series without changing anything about the container itself.
Choosing between two close options
If your container’s loaded weight sits close to a tier boundary — say, near 13,000KG — it’s worth sizing up rather than down. Wheels operating near their rated maximum see more wear and shorter service life than wheels with headroom. A slightly oversized set of container wheels is a minor cost difference; a wheel failure under a loaded container is not.
Still unsure which series fits your setup? Explore the CAD models in 3D or request a quote and tell us your container size and load — we’ll recommend the right series and a lead time.
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