WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN PURCHASING ROLL-OFF SUBFRAMES
Meagan Daugherty
Purchasing roll-off subframes can be stressful. From confusing specs to unloading them from a trailer, there are many opportunities for frustration to arise. Let’s talk about how you can eliminate stress and any potential surprises by looking at the steps of purchasing a roll-off subframe, including:
1. Your Truck + System
2. Spec-ing Subframes
3. Requesting Quotes
4. Placing Your Order
5. Shipping + Delivery
6. Follow Up
Your Truck + System
Roll-off subframe manufacturers will need to know if you have an existing truck or you are in the market to buy. This information is important to ensure the proper hookup and dimensions of the subframe are quoted to fit your truck and system. If you are in the market for a truck, the subframe manufacturer can likely connect you with some truck dealers and upfitters to help you source the right truck for you. Here’s what the roll-off subframe manufacturer will need to know about your roll-off truck to provide you with a quote:
1. What is the make and model of the hoist system (not the truck itself)?
2. Is it a cable style or hooklift style hookup?
3. For a hooklift style, the following information will also be needed:
a. Bail Height – the most common are are 36”, 54” and 62”, but there are other options available depending on the brand. See the diagram on hook measurements and read “5 Tips for Proper Hook Measurements for Your Roll-Off Subframe”
b. The location of your stops/body hold downs. See the diagram on stop location measurements and read “Hooklift Subframe Stops – What are They and How To Measure Them?”
c. The type of stops/body hold downs—There are several types including outside bar, outside angle, outside tubing, inside pin, inside bar, inside pocket, and more. Refer to your hoist manufacturer for more information on stops.
Spec-ing Subframes
There are two types of subframes that you can purchase – Standard or ISO. To help the roll-off subframe manufacturer understand what types of subframe you need, consider what you are using it for. The more you know about what you want and how you will use it, the more accurate your quote will be.
A Standard Subframe, compatible with both cable and hooklift style roll-off trucks, is manufactured with 2” x 6” tubing long rails and comes in lengths ranging from 8-22’ long. At the time of order, you can select which type of hook up style you require, hooklift, cable, or combo, as well as the length needed for your truck. A Standard Subframe can be used to mount specialized equipment or convert an existing container to a roll-off. This allows a company that utilizes a roll-off truck for their operations along with the use of additional equipment such as salt spreaders or water tanks. Many businesses will choose to purchase
used roll-off trucks and/or roll-off containers. The price is right, but occasionally won’t be the same set up as the other. They can also be used to convert a permanent mount body for use on a roll-off truck.
An ISO Subframe, designed specifically for using ISO shipping containers on roll-off trucks, is manufactured with 2” x 8” tubing long rails and is 20’ in length. Equipped with ISO twist lock assemblies on each corner, these ready-to-install subframes secure shipping containers to the frame with just a counter-clockwise rotation of the handles. Once all four of the twist lock assemblies have been rotated, the subframe and attached container are ready for operation. Similar to the standard subframe, an ISO subframe can be built with either a cable, hooklift, or combo style hook up. An ISO Subframe is used to transform an ISO Land Sea container into a roll-off. It just takes one
minute to place the shipping container onto the frame and then lock the container into place. Shipping containers are becoming common replacement for standard roll-offs to act as transportable offices, storage containers, and more
As a standard, most subframes will come primed, however, you will have the option to receive it raw/steel or primed and painted to the color of your choosing at an additional cost. It is also important to note that Standard Subframes come with the wheels shipped loose while ISO Subframe wheels are mounted to the subframe prior to shipment.
Requesting Quotes
Whether it is your first time purchasing a subframe or you’ve been in the industry for a while, it is always a good idea to contact several manufacturers to compare pricing, specs, lead time and service. If you have purchased from a manufacturer previously, the quote process will be pretty smooth. More often than not, the purchase is for the same order as before and all of that information has been filed. If you are shopping around or getting your first ever quote, the process will take a little longer as they will all be asking the same questions that you may have answered several times before. It is important to be patient during this time as the more information they get on the first call, the more accurate your quote will be without the need to make additional edits.
Your decision may come quickly or may take a couple of weeks. When you receive more than one quote, be sure you are comparing apples to apples with specifications. Manufacturers often have different standard products, such as long rails.
Once you decide on the manufacturer, it is time to inform them that you are ready to move forward.
Placing Your Order
Some companies may require you to sign a quote before they turn it into a sales order. The sales order will include several items – the product description, quantity, price, estimated completed date, estimated ship date, shipping information, and terms and conditions. Be sure to review all of this information prior to signing to make sure nothing was missed.
Once the sales order is signed, the subframe will be placed in the production schedule. You should receive updates on your subframe throughout the process, letting you know if your order is ahead of schedule or if there are any questions along the way that could cause any delay. Once the subframe is built, it may be primed and/or painted based on your request, it will cure and be stored in the yard. The manufacturer will then have the sales representative or shipping coordinator contact you to let you know that the subframe is complete and awaiting pickup or shipment.
The Shipping + Delivery
An important question that is commonly forgotten is shipping. There can be several options for the delivery of your subframe(s) based upon your location, order details, and capability. More often than not, delivery will be by a tractor trailer, so it is important to make sure the delivery location can accommodate a truck of this size.
The most common delivery options are:
1. Delivery by Manufacturer-Owned Truck.
With this option, the manufacturer will utilize their own truck(s) and employee(s) to deliver your order.
2. Delivery by Common Carrier, Manufacturer Approved
With this option, a third party will be contracted by the manufacturer to deliver your order. The manufacturer will provide you with the contact information of the carrier. The carrier will be in contact with you regarding their estimated delivery day/time.
3. Delivery by Common Carrier, Customer Approved
With this option, you contract with a third party to pick up your order at the manufacturer’s location and deliver it to you. You will need to provide the carrier and manufacturer with proper contact information so that they can arrange the pickup at the manufacturer’s location. Many manufacturers will require 24-hour advance notice for pickup.
4. Customer Pickup
With this option, a customer will travel to the manufacturer’s location to pick up their order in person. This could be with a roll-off truck, a tractor-trailer, or other options. The customer will arrange the pickup day/time based on the manufacturer’s hours of operation.
Another factor to consider with shipping is the trailer configuration. If more than one subframe is ordered, it is common practice to consolidate freight by nesting subframes so more units can be placed on one trailer. This is a great way to reduce shipping expense, but it is important to understand the challenges and responsibilities that arise with this shipping method. You can choose to have your order delivered without stacking as this may be easier to unload and reduce risk of damage but be aware that if a large quantity of subframes is purchased, more deliveries may be required which will increase your cost.
Follow Up
A couple of days after your subframe has arrived at your facility, the manufacturer may contact you again to ask if the order has met your expectations. This is where you can tell them your feedback. If you are pleased, they may also ask you to provide a testimonial about your experience to use on the website, social media, and other marketing materials.
Are You Ready?
Now that you know everything to prepare for when ordering your roll-off subframe, it is time to put it to the test. Gather all of the information that the manufacturer will ask prior to making the call. You’ll be sure to surprise them. Review all of the information laid out on the quote and sales order before approving and signing to ensure both you and the manufacturer are on the same page. Wait for the call letting you know your subframe is completed and ready to get to work. Watch videos on how to safely unload the trailer once it arrives at your facility. Expect a follow up call to ensure that everything went smoothly. Most importantly, you get to work with your new roll-off subframe.