Shipping Container Ramps

[LotusGTR]

OK, so I have a few shipping containers laying around at work and I'm running out of space at home to store cars, so thought I'd investigate slinging a car into a container.

First, and most fundamental, hurlde is getting the car in there. The floor of the container is about 160mm above the ground and I need a pair of ramps to get the car in. Ideally they will be removable as I don't want there to be any outward signs of there being something of value in there, so therefore light enough to man handle. They also need to be a suitable length to ensure the car doesn't ground its self on the way in. I'm thinking 1.5 - 2.0m, but that's a guess.

Easiest thing would be if someone has done this before and knows what works well.

Any suggestions. Yes, I've searched google. I'll also ring the local car storage business to see how they handle things as they use containers too.

Thanks.

[LotusGTR]

This is how Knox Self Storage deal with it. Ramps are too short even for non lowered cars and are already heavy at about 700mm long.......

[PN-Mad]

Just use some bits of timber. Use bricks/rocks under it so the timber is supported.

Remember to put a moisture absorbent in the car once stored.

[colourclassic]

Something like this would be perfect:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Car-Ramps-/330955394821?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d0e7a8f05&_uhb=1

Exxy, but if you're going to be using them a lot it's probably reasonable.

Edit: Might have to modify them to sit at 160mm high.

Edited July 15, 2013 by colourclassic

[LotusGTR]

Just use some bits of timber. Use bricks/rocks under it so the timber is supported.

Remember to put a moisture absorbent in the car once stored.

What does a 'moisture absorbant' look like and where to get it from? Like a large desicant pouch?

[PN-Mad]

What does a 'moisture absorbant' look like and where to get it from? Like a large desicant pouch?

Yeah, you can get container sized pouches, or just a product from bunnings called drySorb I think. Little flakes you put in a holder.

You just don't want to come back a month later to a mould factory!

[GTR-N1]

As above...

...or more cheaply...

1) Takata Low Ramps

...often used by owners of Japanese cars with low lips (before jacking) and this strong plastic can support the front of most cars

2) Sacks of rice

...as rice is used in salt shakers as a dessicant

[LotusGTR]

As above...

...or more cheaply...

1) Takata Low Ramps

...often used by owners of Japanese cars with low lips (before jacking) and this strong plastic can support the front of most cars

2) Sacks of rice

...as rice is used in salt shakers as a dessicant

Thanks Terry. Takata too small in height and length and will consider rice option! It's looking like I'll have to custom fabricate something out of SHS and chequerplate. Heavy!

[mad082]

Take a trip to Bunnings, etc and head to the timber section. Get some garden sleepers. You can easily make some ramps out of them that will hold the weight of a car, especially if you brace them in a few spots where they are off the ground.

[SMOKEYV35]

Take a trip to Bunnings, etc and head to the timber section. Get some garden sleepers. You can easily make some ramps out of them that will hold the weight of a car, especially if you brace them in a few spots where they are off the ground.

That's what I use - cost about 10 bucks each - I got them to cut them in half. Solved my driveway issues:

[StevenCJR31]

do what we did at work when we had to hire two sea containers that needed forklift access

speak to the company you got the container from and they will point you in the right direction for some ramps. . we had a forklift + a 1 ton load on the ramps with no clearence / load issues and they butt up to the container floor and you could still close/lock the container without moving the ramps

[JZP]

Or buy some ebay china special ally ramps. Come in various sizes.

they have a lip that will sit on the edge of the container and aren't heavy to move around.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-x-Aluminium-Heavy-Loading-Ramp-323cm-1805kg-/390408180987?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae62414fb&_uhb=1

[Bennis]

Have done this before and have two methods to share.

1. If you dont intend on getting the car out often, just get some clay dirt or something to that effect and build you're own ramp. Good thing about this way is you can customize the angle and length / height of your ramp. Worked for me and a friend getting a lowered car into a storage container that probably would have been about 15cm or so off the ground. As soon as your done shovel the dirt and clay back up and away you go. Doesnt take too if you dont mind getting into the shovel work.

Otherwise go to supercheap auto and buy a pair of loading ramps. Theyr about 16cm high BUT they wont suit a lowered car. To get around this get a few planks of wood for each side to help ease the transition onto the ramps.

[LotusGTR]

Have done this before and have two methods to share.

1. If you dont intend on getting the car out often, just get some clay dirt or something to that effect and build you're own ramp. Good thing about this way is you can customize the angle and length / height of your ramp. Worked for me and a friend getting a lowered car into a storage container that probably would have been about 15cm or so off the ground. As soon as your done shovel the dirt and clay back up and away you go. Doesnt take too if you dont mind getting into the shovel work.

Otherwise go to supercheap auto and buy a pair of loading ramps. Theyr about 16cm high BUT they wont suit a lowered car. To get around this get a few planks of wood for each side to help ease the transition onto the ramps.

Don't like the dirt idea but will check out Supercheap and how they could be modified to suit

Or buy some ebay china special ally ramps. Come in various sizes.

they have a lip that will sit on the edge of the container and aren't heavy to move around.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-x-Aluminium-Heavy-Loading-Ramp-323cm-1805kg-/390408180987?pt=AU_Motorcycle_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae62414fb&_uhb=1

Looks rally good. Not too expensive, wide enough, strong enough, light, but I think the feet are designed for a much larger angle. Container deck is only 160mm off the ground.

do what we did at work when we had to hire two sea containers that needed forklift access

speak to the company you got the container from and they will point you in the right direction for some ramps. . we had a forklift + a 1 ton load on the ramps with no clearence / load issues and they butt up to the container floor and you could still close/lock the container without moving the ramps

I'll do this but I don't want any outward sign there is a car in there and therefore want to ramps to be removable by hand. Also the fork ramps may not have the length needed to get the guts of the car over the hump

Take a trip to Bunnings, etc and head to the timber section. Get some garden sleepers. You can easily make some ramps out of them that will hold the weight of a car, especially if you brace them in a few spots where they are off the ground.

Yeah, we have a fair bit of timber at work so 1 option is to laminate some progressively shorter lengths of timber (say 150 x 25mm pine) to make a ramp. I'll run a few designs I've come up with past the carpenters and see how they think it will hold up. Marine ply would be too heavey to do this with but would be ideal in terms of the height progression and being able to make the ramps 300mm wide.....

[LotusGTR]

http://www.stanfred.com.au/prodpics/resize_1366938992.jpg

Found these. Not sure if long enough and also they're 25mm too tall and I'd have to cut off the ramp handle as I'd be driving over it in this application......

Then there are these but they are too light wieght. I guess I could work out how to support them

http://media.supercheapauto.com.au/sca/images/285535.jpg

[LotusGTR]

Local fabricator will do these for a price. Needs a few more support bars in there for my liking. So back to Knox Storage's solution..

4797_001.pdf

[SMOKEYV35]

Seriously - for the sake of getting a car from point a to point b I think you're over complicating things. Grab some planks of wood - support them on bricks where they transition to the container floor and drive that fker in. Throw planks in container - don't think about it until you have to get your car out.

I have to go through this every time I want to get my car in and out of my driveway - sure its a pain - but it takes literally 5 mins.

[LotusGTR]

Seriously - for the sake of getting a car from point a to point b I think you're over complicating things. Grab some planks of wood - support them on bricks where they transition to the container floor and drive that fker in. Throw planks in container - don't think about it until you have to get your car out.

I have to go through this every time I want to get my car in and out of my driveway - sure its a pain - but it takes literally 5 mins.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373972691.442731.jpg

Harhar I think you're right! That said it'll be an inconvenience enough getting the car in and out and I CBF dealing with bricks'n'planks'shit, especialy in the dark and the wet. You're a more patient man that I. Plus I like things to be done right. I'm over 40 so I'm allowed to be a little fussy.

I'll postup the final solution, so thanks to all for your contributions.

Only last thought I had was the heat in these suckers in the summer. I'm guessing it'll be nice and toasty in there (60 - 70 degrees?). Any issues relating to the health of the car and the heat?

[SMOKEYV35]

I would just make sure you leave the windows cracked so humidity doesn't build up inside leading to rot. (Side note : read the article on what has happened to the Sultan of Bruneiis car collection in storage). I was going to suggest some of those extraction fans that mount on your window - but they are solar powered - wont exactly work inside a container.

Perhaps one of those damp rid containers in there - It will soak up any moisture.

And a car cover. Although I imagine they're pretty water tight, they won't be air tight and dust and crap will blow around in there eventually.

Disconnect battery and take it with you. Firstly it's a good anti theft measure. Secondly you can put it on a trickle charger at home so it's ready to go when you next are.

And you might also want to consider securing the container itself. They might not be able to get at your car easy - but it's a piece of piss to load a container onto a truck and transport it somewhere else - after all, that's what they're for ;-)

[LotusGTR]

Humidity we've covered and I think I'd rather leave the cover off. Something in me tells me it's better to let the car breathe a little. I'm locating the container near a power source and will leave the battery on trickle charge in the car for fast get aways (hopefully mine!). I actually never thought about someone lifting the whole container and taking it off so you make a very good point.....Dunno how you stop a side loader and an angle grinder.....Have to get a Doberman for the yard!

I should look at a dehumidifer! About $500 from Bunnings by the looks of things. May as well carpet the container and get it climate controlled...and move into it.