Shipping containers are versatile, durable, and popular for various purposes, from storage to creative projects. However, careful planning and execution are important 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 smooth and cost-effective delivery of your shipping container, proper preparation is key. Prepare the site, ensure clear access, and have someone available to receive it. Lack of preparation may lead to extra costs, damages, or misplacement.
To avoid surprises, we recommend thorough preparation. If bad weather occurs, contact us to reschedule. Follow these steps for a safe, hassle-free delivery option.
Related: Shipping Container Delivery | What to Expect & How to Prepare
Step 1: Choose A Suitable Site For Your Container
When it comes to storage, considering the available container space is crucial. A 20-foot shipping 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 shipping container is equivalent to two parking bays placed end-to-end, offering even more space for storage needs.
To find the right container size, measure the space with a tape measure for a perfect fit for your storage needs. 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
Shipping containers are typically transported using tilt bed or roll trucks. The driver just backs up, unloads the container, and leaves. Our drivers usually use three kinds 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. Once unloading starts, the container slowly rises to a height of 21 feet before being carefully positioned for offloading.
- Entrance to Property: Make sure the street leading to your property is wide enough for the truck’s turning radius. Gates, fences, or narrow driveways at the entrance should be at least 12 feet wide, with overhead clearances of 14 feet. These measurements alone may not ensure enough space for the truck. Consider factors like culverts, entrance obstructions, and street width.
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
Make sure the doors of the container are facing the correct way when loading or unloading. This will prevent costly and difficult repairs in the future. Most containers have double doors at one end.
To get the door placement right, we need to know your preference for loading the container onto the truck. The truck backs into the delivery spot and lowers the container to the ground.
- Choosing “Doors to the Rear” places the doors at the back of the truck, making them the first to touch the ground. This isn’t ideal if the container end faces a wall.
- Choosing “Doors to the Cab” places the doors at the front of the truck, making them the last to come off. This is better if the end faces a wall.
Step 4: Clear Any Overhead Branches or Wires
When planning delivery, think about the whole route the driver must take, not just where the container will be placed. Please note the following:
- Clear overhead obstructions: A fully loaded truck needs 14 feet of clearance, increasing to 21 feet during offloading. Remove overhanging wires, branches, and structures, and avoid low roofs or doorways to ensure smooth passage.
- Clear pathway: Ensure your site is free of obstacles before the truck arrives. Remove equipment, vehicles, toys, trash, debris, rocks, plants, shrubs, holes, and dirt or sand mounds. If the path isn’t clear, you may incur extra charges for driver wait time.
- Clear out vehicles: Think about the timing of your delivery. For home deliveries, clear any parked cars that might obstruct access. For businesses, reserve nearby parking spots or schedule deliveries during less busy times to ensure easy access.
- Confirm the route to your site: Inform the driver of any obstacles like narrow roads, unpaved paths, low bridges, or roadblocks on the way. If the route is unsafe, suggest an alternative path.
Step 5: Make Sure the Delivery Site is Dry, Hard, and Level
For a successful delivery, ensure the site is dry, firm, and level. Check for wet or muddy spots, make sure the ground is stable, and verify there are no slopes or uneven surfaces. These steps will help ensure a smooth delivery process.
- Confirm ground conditions: Tilt-bed trucks, loaded, weigh around 30,000 lbs. Therefore, the ground at and leading to the delivery site must be firm to avoid the container delivery truck getting stuck. If the truck gets stuck, the customer will be responsible for any costs to free it.
- Consider weather conditions: If it might rain on delivery day, it’s best to reschedule to avoid problems. If it does rain, quickly contact the container company or driver to set a new date.
- Prepare the ground in advance: Make sure the delivery site is level before the driver arrives.
- Addressing door issues: Used equipment often has container doors that are difficult to open and close, even on flat ground. You can solve this by using shims to adjust the container’s position, which helps the locking mechanisms function correctly.
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 get railroad ties from home improvement stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot, or local hardware shops. They usually offer various sizes, materials, and finishes.
- Preparation Before Arrival: If the delivery site is dirt, place two railroad ties at each end to lift the container and prevent rust. Make sure the ties are level and address any low spots before the driver arrives.
- Delivery Assistance: To place railroad ties correctly, it’s best to have two capable people on-site. This is needed because some drivers can’t help because of liability issues.
- Coordinate with the Driver: When the driver arrives, remove one railroad tie to set the container on the first tie. As the driver moves forward, quickly place the second tie before the container is unloaded.
Related: Shipping Container Foundation | Rail Road Ties For Support
Step 7: Communicate With the Driver All Essential Information
For a smooth and efficient trip, communicate with the driver. Share key details like pickup and drop-off locations, specific requirements, and any important instructions or preferences.
- Contact Information: The shipping container company requires two phone numbers, including one for the site contact. This ensures the driver can reschedule if unable to reach the customer beforehand.
- Gated or Secured Entrance: If the driver needs to check in at a specific gate, please provide the gate number, contact info, required ID, proof of insurance, and any rules about weapons at high-security or military locations.
- On-Site Presence of Site Contact: A customer or designated contact must be present during delivery to guide container placement. If no one is available and the driver proceeds with authorization, On-Site Storage isn’t responsible for incorrect placement.
- On-Site Workers: Avoid having workers wait to load containers on delivery day because of timing issues, as it can result in wage loss. On-Site Storage Solutions isn’t liable for these losses.
- Driver’s Right to Refusal: The drivers will try to place the container where you want, but they can refuse if it’s unsafe.
- Cancellation Policy: On-Site Storage Solutions uses third-party trucking companies for container deliveries, which must stay on schedule. Cancellations need at least 48 hours’ notice, or a $300 fee applies per delivery. Weather-related cancellations are exempt.
Conclusion
Container delivery is a well-coordinated process involving logistics, technology, and planning. Each step is crucial for smooth transportation across borders. By optimizing this process, businesses can streamline their supply chains, cut costs, and improve customer satisfaction.
In today’s global market, mastering container delivery is essential. Stay tuned for more insights on logistics and supply chain management.
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 delivery upon buying a shipping container. Let us be your partner for seamless and efficient container delivery.
