Multiple hook-up, movable axle, container cargo trailer

Claim 1

A cargo trailer for receiving, positioning, retaining and transporting cargo laden containers, said trailer being coupleable with a tractor at least during the hauling thereof, said trailer comprising: a substantially elongate cargo bed, and a pluraliy of axle means relatively slidable with respect to said bed between at least a stored position for independently supporting said cargo bed and any of a variety of preselected transport positions for selectively distributing at least a portion of the weight of said bed and cargo thereon relatively between each of said axle means and relatively onto said trailer for hauling, said plurality of axle means being relatively slidable with respect to each other, as well as with respect to said bed, said trailer further comprising a plurality of means, at least one at each end of said bed, for coupling with said tractor, said means defining coupling positions at each end of said bed having kingpins disposed therein mounted to the undersurface of said bed, said bed further comprising track means disposed along the undersurface of said bed spanning between said coupling positions and terminating at said coupling positions to define first and second tractor clearance lengths in the vicinities of said kingpins between the ends of said track means and the ends of said elongate bed, said first of said tractor clearance lengths disposed at a first end of said elongate bed being relatively longer than the second of said tractor clearance lengths, whereby differential maximum bridging distances may be obtained depending upon the kingpin selected for coupling to said tractor.