Questions about the flooring in my 40' shipping container!

[04honda]

I have a new/oneway 40" shipping container I bought to keep my atv's in. After I changed the oil in them and parked them in the container some oil I guess I missed cleaning up dripped on the floor and makes oil puddle stains in the wood which look bad. So I bought some real thick 4'x6' rubber stall mats from tractor supply while on sale for $34 a piece to put on the container floor to park my atvs on to keep anything from dripping on the floor especially If I have to put one of my atvs in the container dripping wet from riding. Now my question is will these mats hold moisture under them between them and the floor from no air flow between and cause my floor in my container to rot? I want this container to last me a life time. THANKs!!!

 

[Willl]

Now my question is will these mats hold moisture under them between them and the floor from no air flow between and cause my floor in my container to rot?

You bet it will. I'd paint it instead.

Also, triple up on the air vents. These cans love to sweat.

 

[EddieWalker]

Since the mats are flat on the ground and there isn't any air space between the mat and the floor, you wont get any moisture under the mat from condencation. They will also work great at keeping what drips off of your ATV from getting into your floor, just like you want. If water is on the floor and gets under the mats, it will stay there a lot longer. If that happens, then you need to pull the mats until the floor is dry.

I agree with adding more venting to them. I'm on my third container. I like to put a large vent on either corner of the container so air will flow through the full length.

Eddie

 

[Highbeam]

I just sold my 20 footer after thiefs broke in for the third time. The wood floor is open on the bottom to the dirt. Putting a rubber mat on top will prevent that water from passing through the wood and will rot it. What's worse, an oil stain on a wood floor, a rubber mat to trip over, or a rotten floor? I prefer the wood with oil. This is like those guys that put bras on cars to prevent rock chips. It doesn't matter if it's chipped or not since it is covered by a bra that will by itself cause more damage than if you left it braless.

I cut vents in the roof and on the bottom sides of my container to nearly eliminate the major condensation issues. It worked great but reduced resale value.

 

[Super Cubes]

I agree with all the other postings above - trapping the oil and water under the mats will definitely keep moisture in. But to avoid the break-ins like the other posting, you can add a lockbox on the door of the container. It is a metal box that you weld onto the outer door and there is a metal tab you weld on the inner door where the doors meet. They mesh together when you close the doors. If you put a padlock on tab, no one can see the padlock unless they get right up to the container and look up in the box and it makes snapping the lock off a lot harder.

Also, I have vent kits designed to install on containers. They come with a louvered vent and a frame that fits into the corrugation of the container. If you can weld, they are very easy to install. I also sell the lockboxes (and roll-up door kits if you want a separate door for each ATV). Your Container Store: Super Cubes LLC

 

[Highbeam]

I agree with all the other postings above - trapping the oil and water under the mats will definitely keep moisture in. But to avoid the break-ins like the other posting, you can add a lockbox on the door of the container. It is a metal box that you weld onto the outer door and there is a metal tab you weld on the inner door where the doors meet. They mesh together when you close the doors. If you put a padlock on tab, no one can see the padlock unless they get right up to the container and look up in the box and it makes snapping the lock off a lot harder.

Also, I have vent kits designed to install on containers. They come with a louvered vent and a frame that fits into the corrugation of the container. If you can weld, they are very easy to install. I also sell the lockboxes (and roll-up door kits if you want a separate door for each ATV). Your Container Store: Super Cubes LLC

Great idea, that lockbox. I made one out of 3/16" plate and welded on just as you describe. The thieves easily defeated it with an acetylene torch and got into the can. You can now buy torch sets that area easily carried in a backpack. I will admit that the lockbox at least looks intimidating and will keep out the children. If a thief wants in, he'll get in. Oh and be sure to check inside that lockbox for beehives before reaching your hand in there to remove the lock. I had a hive in there once that about scared me to death.

 

[JL Sargent]

Shipping containers are floored with a very strong plywood of 19 plys at
1 1/16" thick. They can take some moisure and I have yet to see a floor actually rot. Delamination is the #1 problem with these. The sheets cost about $150.00 each. I perform repair work on shipping containers all the time. Maybe use a baking sheet to catch any oil? Really a small oil mat would probably be ok too.

 

[Willl]

I perform repair work on shipping containers all the time.

Me too, I'm at the ports of Tacoma WA. Where are you ?

 

[JL Sargent]

I'm just outside Birmingham Alabama. We have the Mercedes Benz plant just down the road. Quite a few shipping containers go in and out of there.

 

[timberwolves]

Super Cubes, I am interested about adding vents to my 40' storage container. I do have a mig welder and am handy with it. Could you contact me with a quote for the vents ? Thank you John