Shipping containers are versatile, durable, and popular for various purposes, from storage to creative projects. However, careful planning and execution are crucial for smooth and safe delivery. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps for a successful shipping container delivery.
Why Prepare for Storage Container Delivery?
To ensure a smooth and cost-effective delivery of your shipping container, proper preparation is crucial. This includes preparing the delivery site, ensuring clear access to the location, and having someone available to receive the container. Failure to prepare may result in additional costs, damages, or misplacement of the container. Our goal is to avoid any unwanted surprises, so we strongly encourage thorough preparation. If unexpected weather conditions arise, please contact us to reschedule the delivery. Follow these steps to ensure a safe and hassle-free delivery.
Step 1: Choose A Suitable Site For Your Container
When it comes to storage, considering the available container space is crucial. A 20-foot container, for instance, is approximately the size of a large US parking bay, providing ample room for storing various items. On the other hand, a 40-foot container is equivalent to two parking bays placed end-to-end, offering even more space for storage needs.
To ensure the right container size, it is recommended to measure the space using a tape measure, ensuring a precise fit for your storage requirements.
In addition to selecting the appropriate container size, it is also important to have a hard and level ground for the container placement. This ensures stability and prevents any sinking or potential damage to the container.
Step 2: Make Sure You Have Enough Space For A Safe Delivery
Most shipping containers are transported on tilt-bed trucks, which are convenient because they don’t require additional equipment to unload the container. The driver simply backs into position, unloads the container, and drives away. Our drivers typically use three types of tilt-bed trucks:
- Roll-Bed or Flatbed Tow Truck: These trucks are commonly used for 20-foot or smaller containers, especially in locations with limited space.
- One Ton Dually w/ a Tilt-Bed Trailer: These trucks are versatile and can deliver containers of any size. They also offer better maneuverability.
- Big Rig Trucks w/ Tilt-Bed Trailer: Big rigs are capable of delivering containers of all sizes, but they are less maneuverable and require ample space for container delivery.
When preparing for a container delivery, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Length: For unloading, a 40-foot container requires 120 feet of space, while a 20-foot container requires 80 feet. Generally, the required space is approximately three times the size of the delivered container.
- Height: When a container is sitting on the truck, its height is 14 feet, measured from the ground to the top. However, once the unloading process begins, the container gradually rises to a towering height of 21 feet, as it is carefully lifted and positioned for offloading.
- Entrance to Property: Ensure that the street leading to your property is wide enough to accommodate the truck’s turning radius. If there are any gates, fences, or narrow driveways at the entrance, they should be at least 12 feet wide, with overhead obstructions cleared at 14 feet. However, keep in mind that these conditions alone may not guarantee sufficient space for the truck to enter your property. Consider factors such as culverts, entrance obstructions, and the width of the street.
Our drivers use a variety of trucks for container delivery, and they will select the appropriate one based on the specific requirements. If you have limited space, please request a smaller truck to ensure a smooth delivery process.
Step 3: Decide Which Way The Doors Of The Container Should Face On The Truck
When delivering or loading a container onto a truck, it is crucial to ensure that the doors are facing the correct direction. Turning around a container once it’s delivered can be both challenging and expensive. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the door placement when deciding where to position the container on your property.
Most shipping containers, whether new or used, have a single set of double doors at one end. To guarantee that the doors face the desired direction when unloaded, we need to know how you want the container loaded on the truck for delivery. During the unloading process, the truck will reverse into the delivery pad and lower the container to the ground.
If you prefer the “Doors to the Rear,” the double doors will face the back of the truck, located at the end of the trailer. They will be the first to touch the ground when the container is unloaded. However, if one end of your container is against a wall, this loading method is not suitable.
On the other hand, if you choose “Doors to the Cab,” the doors will face the front of the truck, and they will be the last to come off the truck as the container slides off. This loading method is ideal if one end of your container will face a wall.
Step 4: Clear Any Overhead Branches or Wires
When planning your delivery, consider the entire pathway the driver needs to take, not just the landing pad for the container. Please note the following:
- Clear overhead obstructions – A fully loaded truck requires a clearance of 14 feet in height, which increases to 21 feet during offloading. It is vital to eliminate any overhanging wires, branches, and structures, as well as avoid low roofs or doorways to ensure smooth passage for the truck.
- Clear pathway – Ensure that your site is free from any items that may obstruct the truck during the delivery process. This includes but is not limited to, equipment, vehicles, toys, trash, debris, rocks, plants, shrubs, holes, mounds of dirt, and sand. Failing to clear the pathway ahead of time may result in additional fees due to driver wait time.
- Clear out vehicles – Consider the day and time of your scheduled delivery. For residential deliveries, if any parked cars on the street may impede the delivery, arrange to have them removed before the delivery. For businesses, mark off any parking spaces near the delivery area to ensure unobstructed access for the truck. Alternatively, schedule the delivery for a time when there is less vehicular traffic in the area.
- Confirm the route to your site – Inform the driver of any obstacles they may encounter en route to your location. This includes but is not limited to, narrow bridges or roads, steep or winding roads, unpaved or washed-out roads, low bridges or trees that require passage underneath, and any known roadblocks or closures. If the driver deems the route unsafe, you may need to provide an alternate route for the delivery.
Step 5: Make Sure the Delivery Site is Dry, Hard, and Level
To ensure a successful delivery, it is important to make sure that the site is dry, firm, and level. This means checking for any wet or muddy areas, ensuring the ground is stable and compact, and verifying that there are no noticeable slopes or uneven surfaces. Taking these precautions will help to ensure a smooth and hassle-free delivery process.
- Confirm ground conditions – Loaded tilt-bed trucks are extremely heavy, weighing nearly 30,000 lbs. Hence, the ground leading to and at the delivery site must be firm to prevent the truck from getting stuck. Any expenses incurred in freeing a stuck truck will be the customer’s responsibility.
- Consider weather conditions – If there is a possibility of wet weather on the day of delivery, it is advisable to reschedule to avoid potential issues. In case it rains on the delivery day, promptly contact the container company or driver to arrange a new delivery date.
- Prepare the ground in advance – Ensure that the delivery site is properly leveled before the driver’s arrival.
- Addressing door difficulties – It is not uncommon, especially with used equipment, for container doors to be challenging to open and close, even with a level site. This can be easily resolved by adjusting the container’s position using shims, allowing the locking cams to engage and secure the doors effectively.
Step 6: Prepare Railroad Ties
By properly preparing the railroad ties, you ensure their durability and longevity, allowing them to withstand the heavy load and constant wear and tear.
- Purchase Railroad Ties: You can easily obtain railroad ties from most home improvement stores, such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, or your local hardware store. These stores typically carry a variety of options, including different sizes, materials, and finishes.
- Preparation Before Arrival: If the delivery site is dirt, strategically position two railroad ties—one at each end—to elevate the container and prevent rusting of the C-channel and cross members. Ensure the railroad ties are set in place and leveled, addressing any low corners before the driver arrives.
- Assistance During Delivery: To ensure the proper placement of railroad ties, it is advisable to have two capable individuals present on-site. This precaution is necessary as some drivers may be unable to assist due to liability concerns.
- Coordinated Effort with the Driver: When the driver arrives, remove one railroad tie so the container can be lowered onto the first tie. As the driver pulls forward, swiftly position the second railroad tie just before the container is lifted off the truck.
Step 7: Communicate With the Driver All Essential Information
To ensure a smooth and efficient journey, it is crucial to effectively communicate with the driver by providing all the essential information. This can include details such as the pickup and drop-off locations, any specific requirements or preferences, and any important instructions or preferences you may have.
- Contact Information – The shipping container delivery company needs two phone numbers, one of which should belong to the site contact. It’s important to provide more than one number in case the driver needs to reschedule the delivery and can’t reach the customer by phone in advance.
- Gated or Secured Entrance – If the driver needs to enter or check in at a specific gate, please provide relevant information like the gate number, site contact details, required identification, proof of insurance, and any rules regarding weapons at high-security or military locations.
- On-Site Presence of Site Contact – Either the customer or a designated site contact must be present during delivery to direct container placement. If no one is available and the customer authorizes the driver to proceed, On-Site Storage is not responsible for any misplacement of the container.
- On-Site Workers – Avoid having workers on standby for container loading on the delivery day due to uncertain timing, which could result in wage loss. On-Site Storage Solutions is not liable for such losses.
- Driver’s Right to Refusal – The drivers will try their best to place the container where you want it. However, they can refuse if they believe it may cause harm to them or their property.
- Cancellation Policy – On-Site Storage Solutions uses third-party trucking companies for container deliveries. These companies depend on maintaining their delivery schedule. Therefore, we need at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice will result in a $300 cancellation fee per delivery. Please note that cancellations due to weather conditions are exempt.
To ensure a seamless delivery of your shipping container, it is crucial to focus on preparation and effective communication. If you have any concerns regarding the delivery requirements or any questions, we highly recommend reaching out to your dedicated On-Site Storage Solutions agent. They will assist you in determining if any special accommodations are necessary to meet your needs.
On-Site Storage Solutions
At On-Site Storage Solutions, we prioritize safe container transport to your destination. Contact us at (888) 405-8772 for expert advice and personalized support in shipping container delivery. Let us be your partner for seamless and efficient container delivery.
