More than 30,000 pounds.
That’s the weight of a delivery truck carrying an empty shipping container.
Ground-level shipping container delivery with a tilt bed truck and trailer is the most cost-effective delivery option because it doesn’t require the use of a forklift or crane, or hiring a trained crane operator. And, if your delivery site is properly prepared, it can take as little as 30 minutes.
Whether you are buying a shipping container for storage on your property or for an ongoing project, you need to carefully prepare for your shipping container’s arrival.
Here are five things that might cause problems during your ground-level shipping container delivery:
1. A Muddy Drive
Due to their weight, delivery trucks can get stuck in unstable ground like mud and sand. Is your planned route to your container site through muddy or sandy ground? Is your site on soft ground? You might need to think twice about your route or the viability of your desired spot.
2. Narrow Turns
Delivery trucks need a wide turning radius. Delivery problems can occur if your property entrance is off of a narrow road or you have a narrow gate requiring tight turns. However, depending on the delivery truck and size of the container you have ordered, the severity of the issue varies. Check with your container company and get out a measuring tape to see if the turn is doable.
3. Overhead Obstructions
On the delivery truck, a shipping container can be more than 13 feet high. At its highest, during its release from the truck, as it’s being laid on the ground, it can be about 16 feet off the ground. Branches and power lines in the way can be a problem.
Keep in mind that if you order a high cube container, extra clearance is needed.
4. Not Enough Clearance
A big issue during shipping container delivery is the need for space. Shipping containers are delivered via roll-off and tilt-bed flat bed trailer trucks. Once the delivery trailer is backed into position, the truck needs to drive straight forward to position a shipping container.
Your site needs at least 60 ft of forward clearance for a 20 ft container delivery and at least 100 ft of straight-ahead space for a 40 ft container delivery.
5. An Unprepared Delivery Site
You can’t just wing it.
You need a planned, prepped shipping container site ready — before delivery is scheduled to take place. This means clearing out debris and doing some site prep. Here are a few things to think about when planning a shipping container delivery site:
A Shipping Container Site Should Be Firm and Level
Even empty, a shipping container weighs a lot — 5,000 pounds for a 20 ft container and 8,000 for a 40 ft container, and even more for a high cube container. So, you want to choose or create a site that can handle that much weight with minimal sinkage. Concrete and pavement are the best-case site placement. But, these materials won’t be a viable option for many people purchasing a shipping container.
A level site helps avoid water pooling under your container. Water pooling under a shipping container leads to rust and the breakdown of the container’s floor. To protect your investment, it is best to scope out a level spot or create one.
Creating the Best Site for Your Shipping Container
Depending on the scope of your project, you may already have a prepared foundation or reinforced site. For those just looking for additional storage space at home or on a job site, you may not have thought about prepping a space.
One of the biggest complaints about shipping containers is how difficult the doors are to open. Preparing your site protects against this. Many suggest placing wood blocks or railroad ties under each end of the container to keep it relatively level. This also helps to keep the doors level and easy to open. Taking precautions and preparing a firm, level site — even if wood blocks are needed — are the best ways to make sure you will still be able to open your container in a few months.
Questions about preparing for your shipping container delivery?
Have questions? If you are unsure about your site’s viability for a ground-level shipping container delivery, the experts at Twisted S Containers can help. We serve Oklahoma and surrounding states. Get advice now.
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