Storage Continer Site

[jennyhutchison]

Hi,

We have just bought some 40ft storage containers. We are wanting to put 1 north of our building. I've attached some pictures. The rock you see has been there several years, but hasn't gotten anything except foot traffic on it. Under the rock next to the building is hard with rock and building foundation remenents. The side next to the fence is softer sand and dirt, but has not been disturbed in 10 years. Once the container is set we are not expecting to move it for a long time.

What do you suggest to make a stable pad site for our storage container?

We've thought about watering in a high strength concrete to stabilize the rock and using concrete parking bumpers on the edges of the container. Does anyone think that will work?

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Jenny

 

[redman135]

How do you intend to get the container in there first. A swing-lifter won't work.

 

[jennyhutchison]

We will have a crane lift it over the fence you see to the left. They have already been out to see the site.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I would bed some RR ties In/on that rock bed by adding some 1/2-3/4 crushed rock for bedding. Space based on the bearing points of the container floor structure. Level all up then set container. Should then have no rust problems by leaving an air space under. I use RR ties for all kinds of projects. Standard tie is 9'; just the right length for an 8' container.

Ron

 

[2458n]

X2 on the ties. Mine are resting on 8 concrete parking blocks.

 

[EddieWalker]

I would NOT use any form of wood under it. Go with either road base road that is crushed down to fines and then has some larger rocks on it. Compact it, water it, compact it again to get a solid base. Then add a layer of square rock about an inch in size over that. This will allow drainage and air flow under the container to keep it dry.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I agree with Eddie, put no wood under your container. The rock in your photo looks to be large enough to provide plenty of drainage and air movement under the container supports. If it is level or can be levelled then that is all you need.

 

[RjCorazza]

My cargo box has been sitting on railroad ties for the past 18 years. I laid gravel, then leveled the ties with poured concrete blocks.

 

[EddieWalker]

Here in East Texas, Railroad ties don't last very long. Our soil is very acidic red clay, which is why we are thick with pine trees. Termites are a huge problem here, along with just about every type of wood eating bug out there. They get past the exterior tar coating, or whatever it is and eat the wood out from the inside. Most of the time you never even know it's gone util one day it either just collapses on itself, or it gets hit by the mower or a shovel. Easily the worse thing in the world for fence posts too.

If you have good drainage under them like the railroad does setting them on a foot or more of rock so they do not come close to the dirt, then they will last a lot longer. You just can't put them on the dirt and hope for them to last very long. Log homes also have the same issues here, along with any wood that's used on the exterior finish of a house.