Preparing Your Site for a Shipping Container Delivery (Summer Edition)

Summer is one of our busiest times of the year at Secure Stores Nationwide. With long, sunny days and clearer weather, it’s the perfect season to clear some space, upgrade your storage, or set up a new on site workshop. Summer also allows more options for accessing grassy areas for delivery of containers.

However, a smooth shipping container delivery doesn't just happen by accident. Even in the height of summer, proper preparation is key to ensuring our delivery vehicles can get in and out quickly and safely. To help you get ready, we’ve put together the ultimate container delivery guide, tailored specifically for the summer months.

What Customers Need to Prepare

Before our driver arrives, there are three essential elements of delivery access you need to map out: space, width, and ground conditions

1. Space for Delivery Vehicles
Our containers are typically delivered using a HIAB truck (a lorry fitted with a hydraulic crane). These vehicles are large and heavy, and they require significantly more room than just the length of the container itself.

As a rule of thumb, you need to allow ample space for:

• The length of the truck: for delivery of 20fts (and shorter) the vehicles are usually around 34 – 36ft long, and 40fts are delivered on 60ft long artic vehicles.
• The hydraulic stabiliser legs that extend out from the sides of the lorry to keep it steady during offloading.
• The container itself, which swings out to the side of the vehicle during offloading.
• By prior arrangement, some of our vehicles can also lift 20ft or shorter units over the cab of the vehicle or off the rear of the trailer. Specific vehicles are required for this, so you will need to request this on ordering. 

2. Access Width and Clearance
Take a walk along the route the truck will take to reach your drop off point. Check the width of gates, driveways, and entrances. It’s not just about the ground width, either - don't forget to look up! Summer foliage means overhanging branches are at their fullest, and you should also check for low overhead wires or cables that could obstruct the crane. Power cables in particular are a major hazard which could mean offloading in your desired location is not possible.

3. Ground Conditions
The final position for your container must be flat and stable. The most important goal when preparing your ground is keeping the container level. If a container is placed on uneven ground, the structure can twist slightly, meaning the heavy locking doors will become stiff and incredibly difficult to operate.

Summer Specific Considerations

While summer generally brings better weather, it also introduces unique logistical challenges that you need to account for:

1. Dry Ground vs Hard Ground
A common misconception is that because the weather has been dry, any patch of grass or field is automatically safe to drive on.

Heavy delivery lorries carry immense weight. In mid summer, baked, dry earth can sometimes support a vehicle, but if the soil underneath is soft, a heavy lorry can easily crack the hard crust and sink. Generally, our lorries cannot drive on grass or unmade ground unless it is the height of summer and has been arranged by special agreement beforehand. It must also be dry on the day of delivery and days leading up to it – even wet grass can cause our wheels to spin and the lorry to get stuck. If possible, it's always safest to stick to concrete, tarmac, or hardstanding.

2. Access Through Rural Areas
If your site is located in the beautiful UK countryside, summer brings narrow country lanes bordered by overgrown hedges and low hanging tree canopies. What was an open road in January might be tightly enclosed by July. Ensure your local rural access routes are clear enough for a large commercial vehicle to pass without scratching the paintwork or getting snagged on trees.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To make sure your delivery day goes off without a hitch, try to avoid these frequent pitfalls:

• Forgetting the Levelling Materials: Do not expect the container to sit perfectly flat on bare earth or grass without support. You should have levelling materials ready in advance - such as railway sleepers, concrete pads, or blocks. 
• Not Utilising the Driver's Expertise: Our Secure Stores drivers are highly experienced. If you have your levelling materials ready, the driver will happily assist you in making those final adjustments during offloading to ensure the container is perfectly stable and level before they leave.
• Guessing the Measurements: If you are unsure whether your gateway is wide enough or if your ground is suitable, don't guess! Just ask us and we’ll be happy to help.

See a Delivery in Action

Want to see exactly how the process works? We have filmed a short video showing a real-life delivery to a local food bank. In the video, we walk through the exact steps, space requirements, and overhanging hazards you need to consider.

Watch the full walkthrough on our YouTube channel here: How is a shipping container delivered?

We Are Here to Help

At Secure Stores, we want to ensure your delivery day is completely stress free. We check the access requirements with clients in advance to prevent any headaches on the day.

If you have any concerns about your summer site setup, you can send us photographs or videos of your location. Get in touch with the team today.
 

Let's Get Your Site Ready!