What to Expect when Buying Heavy Equipment Online
Short answer: when you buy a container, trailer or propane tank from Trenchsafety, you pay by bank transfer, the order ships within the United States for a flat $600 shown at checkout, and most orders arrive 7 to 12 business days after confirmation. Before you order, check three things: that your site can take the delivery truck, that any permits are in place, and which return rules apply to the item you are buying.
Heavy equipment is bought differently from most online orders. The items are large, freight is a real cost, and some products cannot be sent back once they are installed. This guide walks through each stage of an order on this site, using the terms in our shipping, returns and payment policies.
Step 1: Choose the right size before anything else
A unit that does not fit the site or the job is hard to fix once it has been delivered. Our range runs from a 24-gallon propane cylinder to a 40ft container, so measure first and buy second. These guides cover the measurements that matter:
- Shipping container dimensions: external and internal sizes, door openings and the space needed on site.
- Propane tank sizes: how tank capacity relates to use and where each size can be placed.
- Dump trailer buying guide: payload, axle ratings and what your tow vehicle can handle.
Step 2: Read the condition on the listing
Each listing states whether the item is new, used or refurbished. Our product condition guide explains what each label means. New items are unused and have not been placed into service. Used items may show surface marks, scratches or minor dents that do not affect how they work unless the listing says otherwise. If a listing does not answer a question you have about condition, ask before you order.
Step 3: Know what the price includes
The checkout total shows the product price, any sales tax being collected and the flat $600 shipping fee before you pay. All prices are in US dollars. Two points are worth knowing in advance:
- The $600 rate covers typical deliveries to accessible sites in the contiguous United States. Oversize loads, long distances, remote or hard-to-reach sites and deliveries that need a crane cost more to fulfil. If yours is one of them, we contact you with the actual freight cost before anything is dispatched, and you can accept it or cancel for a full refund. We do not charge more than the checkout total without your agreement.
- If checkout shows $0 tax, no sales tax is being collected through the website for that order, and any tax owed under local rules is your responsibility. Tax-exempt buyers need their documentation approved before the order is processed. See the sales tax policy.
Step 4: Pay by bank transfer, carefully
We accept direct bank transfer. After checkout you receive the order with verified bank-transfer instructions, and the order stays on hold until the funds have cleared. Use your order number as the payment reference. If any payment instruction looks different from what came with your order, contact us before you send money. A quick check before paying protects you if an instruction has been altered.
Step 5: Get the delivery site ready
Delivery trucks for this equipment are large and often need a crane or a tilt-bed. Before the delivery date, make sure there is:
- a level, firm area with no soft ground
- enough room for the unit and the delivery vehicle together
- clear overhead access, with no low wires or branches
- an unobstructed route from the road to the drop point
Delivery is to the curb or to an accessible point on your property. It does not include installation, connection, filling or removal of old equipment. If the driver cannot unload on arrival, redelivery and waiting charges apply at cost.
Step 6: For propane tanks, sort out permits and the installer first
Propane tanks are regulated pressure vessels. Where a tank can sit, how far it must be from buildings and how it is installed are set by NFPA 58 and by your state and local authority, and the installation must be done by a licensed propane professional. Underground tanks also need correct backfill and cathodic protection. We deliver the tank; we do not install, fill or connect it, or obtain permits for you. Confirm your permit is approved and your installer is booked before you order, because a tank delivered to a site that cannot lawfully take it is still your purchase.
Step 7: Check the delivery before the driver leaves
Inspect the item on arrival. If anything is damaged, note it on the delivery paperwork before the driver leaves and photograph it before unloading. A signed, clean delivery receipt makes a damage claim very hard to pursue later. For items that arrive damaged or incorrect, we pay the return freight and either replace the item or refund it in full, including the original shipping charge.
Which items can be returned?
Return requests must be made within 30 days of delivery, by emailing info@trenchsafety.org with your order number and the reason. What happens next depends on the item:
| Item | Returnable? |
|---|---|
| Uninstalled equipment, undamaged and resalable | Yes. We pay the return freight and charge no restocking fee; we arrange the collection. |
| Installed propane tanks and other pressure vessels | No. Report a defect before installation and it is handled as a warranty claim. |
| Buildings, cabins and containers once placed on site | No. Report any transit damage at delivery. |
| Custom, modified and special-order items | Only if defective. |
| Orders cancelled before dispatch | Full refund, no fee, if the order has not been released to a carrier. |
Refunds go to the original payment method within 10 business days of the returned item being received and inspected. For bank transfers, we ask you to confirm the account details in writing first. Please do not book your own carrier for a return; oversize freight has to be scheduled through our delivery providers.
Frequently asked questions
How much is shipping on heavy equipment?
Eligible orders ship within the United States at a flat $600, shown at checkout. If your delivery needs more than the flat rate covers, such as an oversize load, a remote site or a crane, we tell you the actual freight cost before dispatch and you can accept it or cancel for a full refund.
How long does delivery take?
Most orders arrive within 7 to 12 business days of order confirmation. Oversize and permitted loads can take longer, and we will tell you if your order is one of them. These are estimates, not guarantees.
Do you install propane tanks?
No. We deliver the tank. Installation, filling, connection and permits are arranged by you with a licensed propane professional, under NFPA 58 and your local rules.
Can I return a container after it has been placed on my site?
No. Containers, buildings and cabins are not returnable once placed on site, so check the size and the site before ordering, and report any transit damage when the unit is delivered.
Questions before you order? Contact us or browse the buyers guide.