Leveling a Storage Container

Site Considerations

• Is there enough room to place the container (ie; 14’ x 26’ or 14’ x 46’)?
• Is there enough room for the delivery truck and/or trailer (ie; 50’ or 70’?)?
• Are there any other hazards for the delivery truck and/or trailer?
• Is the site reasonably level?
• Is there sufficient provision for water runoff to prevent pooling under the container?
• Are there any nearby obstacles overhead or otherwise that may inhibit the safe placing and use of the container?
• Where do you want to access the doors on the tail end of your container?

Site Preparation

• Clear debris, stumps, and vegetation
• (Footprint plus minimum 3’ perimeter recommended)
• Containers are designed to bear their weight on the reinforced corner posts
• Remove topsoil corresponding to where the four corners will sit
• (Leaving 4 level areas of hard clay, approximately 3’ in diameter each)

Receiving Your Container

• Unless there is a reason, your container will normally be delivered on tilt deck equipment so that it can be grounded
• Alternately a crane or lift truck can be hired if space is tight or the delivery distance is sufficiently long mitigating the cost of a tilt deck delivery
• At your discretion, the container will be loaded “doors to cab” or “doors to tail” depending on how you want the container oriented on your site
• Have your dolly pads and shims ready to place under the corners

Preparing To Level Your Container

• Purchase or make four “dolly pads” of sufficient size to spread the weight of the container and act as a base for shims during the leveling process
• Purchase or make a number of “shims” to level the corners
• Obtain the use of a “jack-all” (or crane) to provide the lift necessary to level your container

Leveling Your Container

• Place a dolly pad under each corner
• First, using the jack-all and shims, lift and place shims sufficient to level the nose
• Second, using the jack-all and shims, lift and place shims sufficient to level the tail
• Be aware that the doors will not operate properly if the container is not level and the door jamb is allowed to go out of square
• HINT; if you wish to store wheeled vehicles or equipment, that may not have a reverse gear, it can be advantageous to have the container slope from nose to tail (ie; 2" - 4”) to facilitate easier unload

Caring For Your Container

• Oil the hinges and latching mechanisms regularly
• Paint the container, with rust paint, to keep rust at bay and the container attractive. (Brush & roller or spraying is recommended, subject to overspray caution in windy conditions)
• At your discretion, most containers have provisions for venting requiring a small plate to be cut out