Recommendation for shipping container footing/pad

[steveG]

Looking for recommendations on a footing/pad for a 40' shipping container to be used for storage. Its likely to be there for 5+ years.

Its going to be put in an open grassed area, so is it best to put some gravel or something down first, or just some concrete/timber blocks at the corners? Mainly trying to avoid it twisting (and having door shutting issues), or ending up a rabbit/snake haven underneath.

Steve

[Aaron IIA]

Timber blocks at the corners generally collapse and sink into the ground.
Aaron

[olbod]

If you are renting put a heavy tarp over the top.
They collect water.
They rust.
You are liable for damage.

The Bro rented one for a couple of years and one day after heavy rain
he discovered that the roof had leaked destroying a lot of stuff stored in
the thingy.

Lots of tooing and froing crap.

[boa]

The best would be a concrete pad but expensive. Possibly just concrete blocks on each corner. My container is on a slab. But other people I know just use the four corners option. From your post I am thinking country. There are probably other areas that the snakes and other animals use. Over a 5 year period the cost is not much for the best options. Also how old is the container rust can be a problem. For this reason I brought a brand new one. Hope this helps in your decision.

[boa]

For me the decisions, I made, was based on the value of the items stored in the container. Put a value on that and go from there.

[steveG]

The best would be a concrete pad but expensive. Possibly just concrete blocks on each corner. My container is on a slab. But other people I know just use the four corners option. From your post I am thinking country. There are probably other areas that the snakes and other animals use. Over a 5 year period the cost is not much for the best options. Also how old is the container rust can be a problem. For this reason I brought a brand new one. Hope this helps in your decision.

Definitely can't justify a concrete pad as its mainly just for storage of old parts etc so I can get some space back in my shed.
We're on a couple of acres, but open paddocks on 2 sides. Yes, there are other places for rabbits etc to use, but trying not to create any new comfortable accommodation for them.

Sounds like concrete blocks might be the go. I could even get keen and dig a couple of shallow footings and fill with crushed rock to sit them on...

Steve

[130man]

Hi Steve, I saw a you-tube video on a small house made from a container and they used old tyres filled with concrete as corner supports. That might work and not cost a lot. Cheers, 130man.

[steveG]

Just found this useful page: Do I need to get my container up off the ground? (http://www.containeroptions.com.au/blog/do-i-need-to-get-my-container-up-off-the-ground).

And I've already got a couple of treated pine sleepers lying around....

Steve

[boa]

That could determine footing a little. If slide on slide off, make sure footing can support the strains. As in lateral force. Some operators are better than others. Side unload not a problem as it is just down force on the pads.

[boa]

Just found this useful page: Do I need to get my container up off the ground? (http://www.containeroptions.com.au/blog/do-i-need-to-get-my-container-up-off-the-ground).

And I've already got a couple of treated pine sleepers lying around....

Steve
Well done. All good points.

[Corgie Carrier]

Are you renting or buying?

If buying put a whirlygig in the roof to stop condensation. My brother stored stuff in a container for a year and most of the stuff was rusted out due to the moisture inside.
Also do something to the roof either cover with a tarp with the centre raised to help the water run off or some old roofing iron on an angle. Or at the very least paint it with a good metal paint or bitumen paint.

Neale

[Dougal]

Get an ex reefer container. Stable temperature inside, no condensation and more weatherproof.

[steveG]

Are you renting or buying?

If buying put a whirlygig in the roof to stop condensation. My brother stored stuff in a container for a year and most of the stuff was rusted out due to the moisture inside.
Also do something to the roof either cover with a tarp with the centre raised to help the water run off or some old roofing iron on an angle. Or at the very least paint it with a good metal paint or bitumen paint.

Neale

I'm buying it. Only really wanted a 20' one (easier/cheaper to transport etc) but this 40' came at a price I couldn't pass up.

It already has a whirlygig fitted, and a mate has a spare drum of bitumen paint coming my way :)

Steve

[350RRC]

The people next to my property have a number of 40 footers on 200mm treated pine poles @ each corner, containers about 400mm off the ground.

No probs from what I can see, and I used one for a year.

cheers, DL

[steveG]

Just to round this out, I ended up roughly leveling the area, and spreading 3m3 of crushed rock as a base (should slow down any weeds and make it less attractive for critters to dig in).
Cut a couple of 200x75 treated pine sleepers in half to make a pad for each corner of the container.
Plenty of respect for the driver that delivered it as he managed to get it down the driveway and into the paddock with only some minor vegetation damage. I've probably taken out more plants in the 130 :angel:

Happy so far, but will see how it fares once its full. I kept a couple of barrows of crushed rock aside in case I need to pack up a sunken corner.

Now I just need to fix up a broken seal retainer on one door, and touch up a few small areas of rust (just scale - no holes) and load it up!!

Steve

[loanrangie]

Get an ex reefer container. Stable temperature inside, no condensation and more weatherproof.

And after wards you have one hell of an esky for parties ;).

[d2dave]

Steve. It probably depends on how hard the ground is. I have mine(20 foot) on good firm ground with timber blocks about 12 inches square under four corners.

As for your concern about twisting and doors jamming this should not happen regardless of the footings

My cabins are nowhere as strong as a container, but due to chassis construction will not twist. Standards dictate this. If superman came along and picked up a cabin at one corner only, it would not bend.

[3 Lions]

Steve,

What area are you looking at leaving the container?

I had 2 20ft containers on my block at Bannockburn, they were there for 18 months or so.....

I didnt put anything down, they were just put on the ground, unloaded from a Tilt tray truck.

Used to spray weedkiller around the doors and edges of the containers etc every so often, apart from that nothing.

Agree with possible condensation though.....

Col.

[steveG]

Thanks Col. Its out the back of our new place.
Came with a whirly-gig and vents already installed so all good there.

Steve