So this is for a stationary reefer 40ft hc container. I apologize for posting here but when you google reefer floor repairs, bouncy, etc this forum is what mostly comes up. It's such a niche thing there isn't much information available to someone who's not really in this type of industry. Hoping someone here can help.
So not hauling but using the reefer as a fish hatchery - there will be a lot of weight in it. I've spent the last year getting electrical water, and everything getting ready for use. There was a bouncy spot in the floor but it's spread to quite a bit of the container and I believe this means it's delaminated. There are no obvious cracks or other damage just the floor dips and bounces when you walk around in much of the container.
I just want whatever will be stable and ideally the cheapest. I bought the container because it was considerably cheaper than any other kind of building. Looking for something that will last years but necessarily forever.
The one suggestion I have been able to find is to drill in long self tapping screws, unfortunately I haven't been able to track down any 6" self taping metal screws. I'm in Canada so I'll have to order them from the US it looks like.. I'm going to try this first but if this doesn't work any ideas?
The ideas I have are as follows :
Either have steel plates welded or drilled onto the existing aluminum, I suppose 3/4 plywood could work too. Fill with concrete to level the floor.
I am open to any ideas but would prefer not to have to remove existing floor unless absolutely necessary as there is already a lot of stuff in the container. Again apologize for posting this here, if you have any suggestions where else I could seek advice I will check them out. The only other thing I could think of would be container home modification people but they seem to be mostly dreamers with no real knowledge and unlike a home to use the container as a hatchery only required electrical and plumbing, not serious modifications to the actual container (I had a man door added that's it).
reefer floor delaminated - how to fix?
Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by andrewkw, Dec 31, 2024.
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Check the crossmembers under the floor itself. This will require lifting it. It may just need additional bracing and welding underneath to stiffen the soft spot. Some good c-channel or angle iron and a competent welder should fix you up.
beastr123 Thanks this. -
Is the container in a permanent spot? I think it's called "mud jacking". Cement is pumped under a driveway or concrete floor to level it. Could something like that be used to support the floor using this method?
Quote from a website;
Mudjacking is different than what we use here at A-1 Concrete Leveling. Instead, we use stone slurry grout leveling for most repairs, and we also use polyurethane foam for some repairs.
Suggestion from SmallPackage is probably a better solution. If you move the container the fix doesn't add much weight.
Good luck. -
I'll have to figure out how high I can lift it without disconnecting the power and water lines. It is in a permanent spot. Container sits on a professionally leveled gravel pad (was like 6 truckloads of gravel) and then lifted up in the corners slightly with heavy duty concrete pavers, so it's just a couple of inches off the ground. I got the container last December and after the first freeze / thaw it stayed level so I figured it would be good to go.
Seems like this is a much bigger problem then I initially thought... -
if its just sitting basically on the ground I wouldn't worry about it.. Or just lift one end at a time and put some blocking under the cross members to support the floor.
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In the past I have taken square tubing and laid it in the 'channel' between the raised part of the floor . Think it was 1 " square tubing , thick walled. Drilled it into the valley on each one, going well past each end of the weak area. Then laid sheet metal down cross the floor,with about 3 inches going up each wall. Secured to wall, and welded where possible.
Like others said, probably weak cross members. Sometimes can remove from trailer by cutting into side where members are, unbolting them and removing from side of trailer. That will work if not secured to floor, which some are not.
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