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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Any VersaTube owners?
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WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 14 Sep 2020 15:58
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Considering a 12' x 18' VersaTube unit for a shed on our newly purchased vacant land. Given the price and scarcity of lumber these days, this seems to be a quicker and more economical option.

Looking for pros/cons/watch-outs from owners.

I would probably build direct on the ground. I don't have heavy equipment and since my ground isn't flat i was thinking i could lay cinder blocks to get a level permiter (1-2 levels high) and fill the inside of the perimeter with gravel. It get's cold here in WI so i'm wondering how this or direct on the ground would work with the different seasons.

ICC
Member
# Posted: 14 Sep 2020 16:33
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If you think that somehow bolting the base rails to concrete blocks that are sitting on the earth is going to withstand strong winds I think you are mistaken. I have two, one does just sit there on the ground but it is right against a larger concrete block building on one side and a hill on the other. The second is bolted down to a concrete perimeter footing through the supplied base rails.

If you read the info on their website at a minimum they have you install the units to a 12" x 12" poured concrete footer. Or a slab with footer.

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 14 Sep 2020 21:15
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No, i was thinking of bolting through the blocks into the ground or just into the ground using mobile home anchors.

I know alot of steel building sellers (non-big box stores) around here use this method.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 15 Sep 2020 06:07
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While they may not always look the best it's hard to beat the security and rodent protection of a shipping container. Theres also next to no site work needed, un like just about every other option.

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 15 Sep 2020 07:37
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100% agree but the issue is finding someone who deals with them. Everything listed on craigslist and such are just middleman after middleman after middleman.

I've been watching the local auction houses as well.

The second issue is getting them to and on the site. I don't have a spot you could just pull in and drop it. It would need to finagled a bit for where i want it.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 15 Sep 2020 08:15
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I had that problem too. Every internet ad is a middle man and I would have to buy it site unseen. Driving by a place that looked like a construction yard near our property I decided to use google maps to figure out who could own them. Turns out it's a local rental company any they sell them used and new. $3100 for a 1 trip 20ft delivered that i could inspect prior to purchase.

Dont make the difficulty of finding one online be your deciding factor. Take a drive around, stop and talk to a local construction or excavation company.

For our property I lucked out. We needed a culvert and I went to talk to the town highway supervisor to pay and get this culvert in. We struck up a conversation and so far he has delivered stone for me through my locked gate and even drug a 10x14ft shed 700ft up hill for me. Hes been a wealth of information for me.

Nate R
Member
# Posted: 15 Sep 2020 10:35
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I might know a guy....... IIRC there's a coworker of mine who's got a buddy making a business of buying shipping containers in Chicago and trucking them to Mid-WI himself, and selling/delivering them from there. If you're interested in that possibility still, I can get his info and some details....

WILL1E
Moderator
# Posted: 15 Sep 2020 11:20
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@Nate R
Definitely hook me up. You know how to get ahold of me ;) Looks like we are closing next Tuesday so the sooner i can get something the better. I'd like to be able to start leaving things up there (securely) right away.

Nate R
Member
# Posted: 15 Sep 2020 19:07
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Nice, next Tuesday is soon!

I sent you an email.

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