burying a travel trailer

[chester125]

Just wondering if anyone thought/done this before. I figure I can buy one for about 3k-4k and rent a digger and back it up into the hole. Is this possible or what?

[chester125]

I've thought about those issues but thought if i buried it just beneath and camo it with bushes and some landscaping on top. This way cars and heavy items would be away from. Only reason for this option is the price difference on a true bunker home which maybe 10k + correct? anyone know of prices for these? off hand

[NightSniper]

I don't think that it would be a good idea. A cargo container is much stronger and it isn't advised to bury them due to the roof is the weakest link on those. They are not made to hold alot of weight on the roof. I would imagine a travel trailer would be much more fragile.

As stated already have you though about a cistern tank? They are made to be buried.

If I was going to do it I think I would try the cargo container and reinforce the roof with some supports and steel plate to make it stronger.

Just my opinion though.

[Diesel]

Cargo containers are designed to be stacked 4 or 5 high loaded aren't they?

[chester125]

Cargo Containers. Might have to look into that. You think one of those pirates off somalia can get me one. They must have a whole ship of em somewhere. heck, the crew didnt have no arms to stand them off. Back to craiglist i bet i can get one.

[Zombie Axe]

Travel trailers are not very tough... unless you are talking about the all aluminum airsteam trailers, but don't think they would like being buried.

The connex containers have been buried and used as shelters before pretty cool concept.

How about burying a large enough culvert/drainage pipe??? You could build a flat bottom for the trailer to roll in and out off (remember to factor this in during purchasing) or not. You will need to seal up the ends, so it could take a little doing to get it fixed up right. No need to have to worry about the roof leaking and you would have storage galore!

Another option would be to dig a pit deep enough to put trailer in. Build support walls as well as install proper drainage. Install heavy support beams above the pit to support weight of earth, cover with durable waterproof material (a heavy mil small pond liner would do the trick),then backfill dirt, and green up your roof!

You will also need to consider ventilation such as a simple root cellar system (passive).

and even a 12 volt solar powered forced air fan (active)!

So bascially with the culvert, connex container, and pit visulaize an underground garage. It is up to you whether or not you want to move it once in place underground :cool:

And as a repeat make sure it drains properly!!! No need to recreate an underground pond:eek:

Just some thoughts!

[chester125]

Man, these are all good ideas and will look into the connex trailers. thanks for help. I was just looking into the Travel trailers just for price and go from there.

[Zombie Axe]

Cool, keep us posted! Would like to hear about about the generalities of how it worked and how you overcame any problems...

I stress the ventilation and drainage thing because mold SUCKS!

[beebopcop]

I've looked into the cargo containers, sea containers or connexes, what ever you want to call them and they seem to be good for what you are looking for. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe you need at least 3 feet of dirt for radiation protection and I believe the containers would handle this without any problem. Check it out but I don't believe the cieling would require reinforcing. You may also want to consider two. One on top of the ground directly over the one underground. This would provide a covered entrance and covered ventilation, etc. It's what I would do if I could afford it.

[cudalyon]

Here are a couple of tanks right here in NC!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tank-Storage-Diesel-fuel-tank-tank-fuel-storage-tank_W0QQitemZ140290244597QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item140290244597&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1209|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

[NightSniper]

I do believe they do stack the storage containers 4 or 5 high. What part of the cargo container is bears the weight, the roof or the side walls?

Actually it is neither. It is the corners that hold the majority of the weight. If you have a chance to really look at one the roof is really nothing more then thick corrigated roofing with a few cross members. Yes there is strength in the corrigation but not remotely enough to hold 3' of soil. I am no engineer but believe me it will not hold 3'. At my work the boss had this great idea of cutting into the side of a hill, placing a cargo container into the cut and putting dirt back on the exposed side and roof. It was going to be a garage type thing he thought. The roof did not have much more then 20" of dirt on it but with the first heavy rain the roof collapsed. Knowing what I saw I would have to say that with short pieces of 2" square tubing spaced every 18-20" welded down and then 3/8 plate on it should give it more strength. But I don't know for sure. I would hate to need to use the container and find that it is full of dirt.

There has to be an inexpensive way to be able to use one of these containers the way you are wanting. Even where I am at they are cheap and plentiful.

Anyone have other suggestion?

[Zombie Axe]

Yeah remember hearing the roofs collasped under large loads, glad you brought that up!

I have also heard you gotta elevate the doors off of the ground to make sure that that snow or ice does not freeze them shut. Would be kinda bad to get stuck in or out of your shelter during such conditions:mad:

[Big_Saw]

Yeah remember hearing the roofs collasped under large loads, glad you brought that up!

I have also heard you gotta elevate the doors off of the ground to make sure that that snow or ice does not freeze them shut. Would be kinda bad to get stuck in or out of your shelter during such conditions:mad:

DDepends on the company....lol.. ;)

[Zombie Axe]

LOL Saw!

I believe you also hafta worry about corrosion issues as well with any metallic structure. I recall hearing some folks experimenting with passing a small charge through the metal to prevent corrosion. I think the technique was adapated from folks using them on cars to prevent it as well...

Will do a little research on it when I get home and post some links to it... it was not anything complicated, just need to make sure all metal is bonded together and it was nothing more than changing the polarity to positive or negative...

[chester125]

Hey guys. Found this website. I havent read all into yet but about the living container ...http://www.shipping-container-housing.com/ check it out