When did J. B. Hunt stop using 48’ containers and when did they acquire the Wabash Duraplate containers? I’ve watched videos and from what I can gather is that they stopped using the 48’ around 2000, and the Wabash came in after that.
One reason for the use of 53’ containers is the fact that they hold more. A high cube 53’ container can hold the equivalent of about 3 20’ containers. That’s why there are alot of companies that will combine multiple short containers into 1 53’. Examples of these companies are Pacer Stacktrain, J.B. Hunt, EMP, and Staxx. Also there is alot more equipment out there for the transportation of the larger containers now (trailers and well cars). I am a Transportation and Logistics major at the University of Arkansas. J.B.Hunt headquarters is about 5 min from the campus. Last fall one of the managers for their intermodal division came and spoke in one of my classes and he said that alot of the new 53’ containers they use are actually made in China and shipped over here. He said the reason for that is that they can get an equal quality container as the Wabash for a much lower cost and that orders are produced and received from China faster than the Wabash factory could get containers to J.B. Hunt.
This link gives you more insight on the 6,000 Wabash 53’ DuraPlate domestic containers ordered by J.B.Hunt.
http://fleetowner.com/news/fleet_jb_hunt_orders/
As far as the 48 footers those was replace by the 53’ footers by Wabash starting in 2001.
Don’t forget Hunt’s 53’ Monon-built containers.