Abstract: Containerized freight is loaded onto a vehicle by attaching an elongated pod frame to one end of the freight container, applying a lift force to the other end of the container to reposition the container above the plane of the bed on the vehicle, backing the vehicle into the space beneath the container, and lowering the container onto the vehicle bed for transport to another location.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting containerized freight, said trailer including ced horizontal rails that can be mechanically spread apart to define a circumscribed space wider than a standard freight container. The trailer can be driven in a reverse direction so that the rails move alongside the freight container. Lift devices on the trailer hoist the container upwardly above the plane of the rails, after which the rails are mechanically shifted toward one another to underlie the container. The container is then lowered onto the rails for transport to another geographical location.