Once you’ve selected your shipping container—whether you’re renting or purchasing—it’s time to prepare your site for delivery. Proper preparation ensures a smooth, safe, and efficient drop-off.
Space Requirements for a Container Delivery
Before delivery, we’ll typically ask about the space available at your location. To ensure safe placement, you’ll need approximately:
- 85 feet of straight clearance for a 20-foot container
- 125 feet of straight clearance for a 40-foot container
This allows enough room for the truck and trailer to position and exit safely. If you’re unsure whether your space meets these requirements, we’re happy to review your property using Google Maps or visit in person if needed.
Understanding Door Orientation
One of the most common questions we receive is about door placement—specifically, “doors to the cab” vs. “doors to the back.”
- Doors to the cab: The container doors face the front of the truck. When we back into position and place the container, the doors will face outward (away from the final position of the truck).
- Doors to the back: The container doors face the rear of the truck (toward the road). When delivered, the doors will remain facing that direction.
Letting us know your preferred door orientation ahead of time ensures your container is positioned exactly how you need it.
Preparing Your Site
Your delivery area should be level, firm, and relatively smooth. We can place containers on a variety of surfaces, including:
- Dirt
- Grass
- Crushed stone
- Asphalt
- Concrete
Keep in mind that softer surfaces may cause the container to settle over time, and the delivery truck may leave tire marks.
For added stability—especially on softer ground—we recommend placing landscape timbers before delivery to keep the container off the ground.
Using Landscape Timbers
If you choose to use supports:
- Place two 6x6x8 landscape timbers on the ground
- Position one at the front and one at the back of where the container will sit
- Ensure the container’s corner cubes will rest securely on the timbers
Our driver will assist with final placement during delivery, so simply have the timbers ready in advance.
If you have any questions or feel unsure about preparing your site, don’t hesitate to reach out. Visit https://upnorthstoragecontainers.com/shipping-containers-for-sale/ for more information! Our team is always happy to walk you through the process and make sure you feel confident before delivery day.
