Shipping Container Ramps

[mad082]

I still recommend the timber idea. No need to get all fancy with laminated ply, etc, but just some sleepers and cut some pieces off then to make the supports. Screw them all together so you don't have to worry about anything. Just store them in the container and just slide them out when you want to get the car in or out. They will be light enough, strong enough and cheap for the few times you want to use them.

And it doesn't matter if they aren't the perfect height. If your car can't handle a 25mm (2.5cm) height difference then it would have trouble getting onto any type of ramp.

[PN-Mad]

Do you have a cont fork at your work place?

Easy way to stop a side loader is put a cont on top of the one with a car in it. Or bunt a cont directly to the back. All you have to do is stop access to the twist locks.

Biggest thing with security is not letting people know what's in there. So be cautious when checking on it, and getting it out/in.

[GTR-N1]

Good advice!

Re last paragraph:- The same goes for people who put a beloved car in a storage facility.

[LotusGTR]

So, jut thought I'd try this out with the trustly old Mazda. Farkin tight fit. Long doors on the coupe and if it's any wider than the Mazda it's going to be a squeeze. Length wise it's fine. Ramps I used forklift tyne extenders which were fine for the Mazda. Handling the heavy tyne extenders was a pain so lightness of ramp is important. There is a bit of mucking around getting the car lined up on the ramps too, so the less hassle in the overall operation the better.

I'm fabricating some ramps out of some large alu channels we have at work. Bolting 2 together and machining them to the right angle and then blocking them up with hardwood to the right height at the container lip. Should be light, cheap (free) and effective. I'll post up the ramps when they're complete.

I've installed an external powerpoint adjacent to the container and got some 'cable glands' so the cable passes safely through a 20mm hole I'll drill and there is no danger if it wearing and making the container live (it's on a safety switch anyhow). I can run the trickle charger off that.

Question now is do I get a 40 footer and have space for 2? It's long drive down a dark tunnel to the end......I'll install a task light too so it's light in the back and you've got something to back into. I think backing it in is the best option.

Be a week or 2 before that's all sorted out.

Over and out.

[GTR-N1]

1) How about putting a foam rubber bumper at the end of the 40' box

2) Drill 2 holes for steel cables; 1 very low near the ground; 1 higher

3) Feed a 55' long steel cable through the lower hole to the opening (to be attached to the 2nd car)

4) Feed slightly shorter steel cable through the upper hole to the tow hook of the car that goes in first

5) Set the steering straight on that first car and pull it in

6) Place bumper rubber for separation purposes

7) Tie 55' cable to tow hook of second car and pull it in

[StevenCJR31]

get vents for each side of the container. . allows fresh air to flow thru and they dont protrude outside the ribs . . also rain proof if fitted correctly and the car wont cook

[LotusGTR]

Pics of vents?

[StevenCJR31]

sorry mate, dont have any. .i made my own when i had a sea container by making a three sided cut on the side wall, bent it outwards then stuck flyscreen on the inside to keep insects out

Edited July 27, 2013 by StevenCJR31

[StevenCJR31]

cos im such a good bloke i googled " sea container vents" on your behalf, have a look. .scroll down a bit and there is four images of different styles of vents

[LotusGTR]

Never completed this thread! Ramps work a treat (hold the weight and no permanent deflection and the perfect length / angle) and I got 2 x 20 footers with side access doors to allow easy access into and out of the car. Only downside is you've got to watch things on a windy day as the doors want to slam shut when you're driving the car up the ramps!

Skyline in the background isn't mine! The other container has the GTR. So far there doesn't seem to be any adverse affects with heat or moisture etc. I'd guess it's a lot better overall than leaving them in the sun and rain.