Short answer: mid-size and large off-road caravans are normally shipped one unit per 40-foot flat rack, and a standard dry container is usually not a loading option at all. Once roof-mounted air conditioning is included, caravans are wider and taller than the internal space of a standard container. Because the exact count depends on model dimensions and the shipping method, every dealer should confirm a loading plan with the factory before booking freight.

This guide explains how off-road caravans move from a Chinese factory to an overseas dealership: why standard containers rarely work, how flat rack, RoRo and break bulk compare, what drives the freight cost, and how to plan container loading and landed cost for your first shipment.

Why Standard Containers Usually Cannot Carry an Off-Road Caravan

Standard dry containers are built around these internal dimensions:

• 20-foot: about 5.90 m long x 2.35 m wide x 2.39 m high
• 40-foot: about 12.03 m long x 2.35 m wide x 2.39 m high
• 40-foot high cube: same length and width, about 2.69 m high

Published travel (closed) dimensions of LZM off-road caravans — specifications vary by model and final configuration:

• 15 ft model: about 6.5 m long x 2.265 m wide x 2.59 m high (with air conditioning)
• 17 ft model: about 7.15 m long x 2.365 m wide x 3.04 m high (with air conditioning)
• 21 ft model: about 8.3 m long x 2.35 m wide x 3.1 m high

Three measurements rule out a standard container:

• Width. A caravan at roughly 2.27–2.37 m matches or exceeds the container's internal width, so it cannot pass through the door opening.
• Height. Roof-mounted air conditioning pushes the closed height above the door height of a high-cube container.
• Length. Even a 15 ft caravan at about 6.5 m is longer than the internal length of a 20-foot container.

The practical conclusion: off-road caravans are out-of-gauge cargo and travel by flat rack, RoRo vessel or break bulk.

Flat Rack, RoRo or Break Bulk: How Caravans Actually Ship

Flat rack (40-foot). An open platform with end posts, loaded by crane. This is the standard method for mid-size and large caravans on most routes. The caravan is lifted onto the rack and lashed at designated tie-down points.

RoRo (roll-on/roll-off). The caravan is rolled on and off the vessel. This works well on routes with regular RoRo service — Australia and New Zealand are common examples — and can be efficient per unit where the port accepts towable caravans.

Break bulk. Loose cargo handled on a conventional vessel. Usually considered for larger project orders, multiple units or unusual dimensions that do not suit the other two methods.

The right method depends on your destination port, the sailing frequency and the models you order. Getting quotes for both flat rack and RoRo on the same route is standard practice.

How Many Units Fit on One 40-Foot Flat Rack

A 40-foot flat rack provides roughly 11.6–12.2 m of deck length and about 2.2–2.4 m of width.

Compare that with published caravan travel lengths:

• 15 ft model: about 6.5 m
• 16 ft model: about 6.64 m
• 17 ft model: about 7.15 m
• 21 ft model: about 8.3 m

Two mid-size units loaded end to end would need 13 m or more — beyond the rack length. Loading side by side is impossible because caravan width matches the deck width. So for the mid-size to large part of the range, the realistic plan is one unit per 40-foot flat rack.

Shorter models can behave differently, and final configurations change dimensions. Never rely on brochure figures alone: ask the factory for the confirmed travel dimensions and the loading plan for the exact models you are ordering.

What Actually Drives the Freight Cost

Freight for out-of-gauge caravan shipments is quoted per shipment rather than per unit, and the main drivers are:

• Dimensions. The widest, longest and tallest measurement decides whether the load counts as out-of-gauge and whether surcharges apply.
• Weight. Published ATM ratings on LZM models sit in the 3,000–3,500 kg range; the factory should state the actual tare and ATM for your configuration, and the forwarder will confirm rack weight limits.
• Port handling. Crane lifting, lashing and terminal handling at both origin and destination add up.
• Route and season. Sailing frequency, transshipment ports and peak periods affect both price and availability.
• Marine insurance. Cover should reflect the commercial value of the caravan plus fitted equipment.

Because rates change with route and date, the practical approach is to ask two or three freight forwarders for quotes on the same shipment details.

Plan Landed Cost, Not Just FOB Price

Dealer margin decisions should be made on landed cost:

FOB price + ocean freight + port charges + customs duty and taxes + inland transport + compliance costs = landed cost per unit.

A model that looks cheaper at the factory can lose its advantage once freight and handling are added. When comparing suppliers or models, ask for FOB and CIF (or DDP) quotes side by side, and include the per-unit freight share in your pricing worksheet.

Container Loading and Packing Checklist

Before the factory books your shipment, work through this checklist:

• Request a loading plan per model — a drawing or photos of an actual previous load
• Confirm the closed (travel) dimensions and weights for your exact configuration
• Check the lashing points and agree who supplies tie-downs and edge protection
• Protect roof air conditioning, awnings and external kitchens during loading
• Confirm whether the spare wheel, jockey wheel and annex are fitted or removed
• Gas cylinders must be disconnected and empty for ocean freight
• Ask whether small orders from the same factory can be consolidated into one shipment

What to Confirm with the Factory Before You Book

• Travel dimensions and weights for each model you order
• Loading count per 40-foot flat rack and who prepares the loading plan
• Delivery term (FOB, CIF or DDP) and who books the vessel
• Export documentation set: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin
• Whether partial or consolidated shipments are possible

Compare the travel dimensions across the off-road caravan range for dealers and importers and confirm which models can share a shipment before you place the order. Models with similar closed dimensions are easier to load and quote together.

FAQ

How many off-road caravans fit in a 40-foot container? In a standard dry container, usually none — the caravan is too wide and too tall. On a 40-foot flat rack, the practical plan for mid-size and large models is one unit per rack. Confirm the loading plan with the factory for the specific models you order.

Can an off-road caravan be shipped in a standard container? Rarely. Closed width is close to or above the container's internal width, and roof air conditioning pushes height above the door opening. Flat rack, RoRo or break bulk are the standard options.

Is RoRo cheaper than flat rack for caravans? It depends on the route, the port and the unit. RoRo can be efficient on lanes with regular service, but not every destination port accepts caravans on RoRo vessels. Quote both methods for your specific route.

Will the factory provide a loading plan for my shipment? LZM supports export shipping arrangements and can discuss loading plans and documentation for the models you choose. Contact the sales team with your models and destination port for details.

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