Container Delivery
Important information you need to know before purchasing a shipping container.
Delivery Preparation Checklist
Make sure your site is prepared for delivery.
SPACE TO MANEUVER
Please make sure there is enough space for the truck to make wide turns, get between gates or other obstructions, and safely set up for delivery. Remember, trucks make wide turns.
HARD SURFACE
The delivery truck can weigh as much as 45,000lbs. Soft surfaces such as mud or wet grass can cause the truck to sink and get stuck. If there is a risk of sinking, the driver may refuse delivery at the site.
SPACE TO DELIVER
The truck will need at least 12 feet in total width, as well as space to maneuver after the box is dropped. 75' for 20' containers 120' for 40' foot containers Additional space to turn and drive away
FREE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS
The truck is 13'6" before it tilts, and can be up to 16' tall at it's peak during delivery, make sure there are no power lines, tree branches, or other obstructions.
Container Delivery
We deliver containers on a roll-off trailer, so you won't need a forklift or a crane to unload at delivery, but you'll need to make sure you have enough space for delivery and that your site is ready for the truck.
We'll be in touch within one business day to confirm your order and coordinate logistics. We'll deliver purchased containers within 4 to 7 business days or customers with the proper equipment can pick up from a depot within 3 days.
Rental containers will be delivered within 3 to 5 days.
The Trucks are Big,
We Need Space to Deliver
40 & 45ft containers use a roll-off truck and need a total of 120 linear feet of space for the container to be
10 & 20 foot containers are delivered on a tilt-bed and need an additional 55 feet of space for the truck to deliver. That is 75 linear feet of total space necessary.
Both truck types need clearance from obstacles of 12 feet wide & 13.5 feet high (up to 16ft high when tipped at delivery).
*These measurements need to be confirmed before placing your order.
The Trucks are HEAVY,
and we need a firm surface.
If we're delivering on a soft surface (such as dirt or grass) please make sure your site can handle a heavy truck.
It's important that your delivery surface be firm. If there is a risk of sinking into ground not firm enough to support the truck, the driver has the right to make the decision not to deliver. If your site is questionable, make sure you talk to us before ordering and have a back-up spot in mind where there won't be any issues.
Make Sure the Truck Can Access Your Delivery Site
In addition to straight away backing space, the truck also needs to be able to maneuver into position at your delivery site. Because 40ft shipping containers are delivered on a tractor-trailer combination, we'll need extra space to make the turn off the road into your delivery site.
Unfortunately, in many cases this means we cannot deliver 40ft containers to residential locations. However, because 20ft containers are delivered on a shorter roll-back style straight truck, we have a lot more flexibility with delivery options for that size.
Neither truck size can turn into a narrow driveway from a two-lane road.
* Please note: if we cannot safely deliver, you will still be charged for trucking. Contact us if you're unsure about your delivery site.
Other Considerations
Keep Your Container Out of Standing Water
To support heavy loads, shipping containers have steel cross-members underneath the wood floors. The cross-members are strong enough to withstand some rust but will fail if left over standing water after only a few years. Please make sure to keep your cross-members out of water by having 8 foot long 4”x4” wood blocks, railroad ties, etc. ready for the driver at delivery.
Make Sure the Doors are Level
Stuck or hard to open doors is the most common issue after delivery.
Even though containers are made from solid steel, they can still twist. Containers sitting on uneven surfaces, or loaded heavy to one side, can twist enough for the doors to misalign and be very difficult to open and close.
To ensure your doors line up properly and open/close smoothly, the best solution is to place wood blocks under the door frame and ideally the full length of the container. Most major hardware stores or lumber yards will have 8 foot long 4x4 boards or railroad ties available for purchase.
We recommend:
- 2-3 4x4x8 boards for 10-20 foot containers
- 4-6 4x4x8 boards for 40-45 foot containers
- The most important spot is under the cargo doors
We Cannot Move Loaded Containers
Western Container cannot move loaded containers. When you order delivery from us, our haulers will put the container on the ground. You will need a crane or forklift to load the container back onto a chassis when a truck comes to pick it up. We recommend customers buying a shipping container for export handle their own trucking.
