Design for platform on top of a container?

[Capinator]

We finally got through the waitlist and got a 20’ container from Black Rock Storage this year. Yay! It was great standing on top to view the sunset. But, the top is flimsy and obviously there are no railings. Does anyone have a good design for a deck to put on top?

[kpsf1964]

Hopefully this bumps the visibility on this topic - same thing, we have a container and I'm looking for anything that could get me feeling confident about a plan that provides:

- safety (well, it's BM, so, um, "safety")
- a materials set that is as lightweight as possible without adding excessive risk
- a materials set that allows minimal space for transport to the Playa.

Any direction in terms of plans, advice or general considerations that would help me shape a plan would be deeply appreciated.

[some seeing eye]

viewtopic.php?f=277&t=65807

[Token]

Hopefully this bumps the visibility on this topic - same thing, we have a container and I'm looking for anything that could get me feeling confident about a plan that provides:

- safety (well, it's BM, so, um, "safety")
- a materials set that is as lightweight as possible without adding excessive risk
- a materials set that allows minimal space for transport to the Playa.

Any direction in terms of plans, advice or general considerations that would help me shape a plan would be deeply appreciated.

Your requirements clash a bit; i.e. Safety and Light as Possible don’t really mix well.

But here goes my stab at it. It won’t be lightweight.

Build an 8’ x 8’ deck on one end of the container with ladder as access point. This will distribute the weight on that section so you don’t buckle the container.

Deck is 9 pieces of 2x4x8 lumber + 2 pieces of 3/4” 8 x 4 ply or OSB.

On the corners you need some long 2x4 lumber - length is container height + 4’, so you can reach ground and secure the platform to the Playa - that pesky wind thing so it doesn’t fly away and kill someone. It also creates your railing corners.

Railing can be done with ~ 8 or 10 more 2x4x8 sticks of lumber.

So, two dozen 2x4, couple sheets of ply, and 4 very likely 16’ stick and a ladder get you the bare minimum for an 8’ x 8’ platform.

Volume of the materials should be 8’ x 4’ x 3” and can pack nice and flat in a full sized pickup truck with a long bed. On a short bed it will stick out a couple feet and you’d have to gets a gator net for the back.

The 4 long sticks would need a lumber rack or other much larger vehicle, or trailer.

Scaffolding would be another option much stronger and “safer” but those weigh orders of magnitude more.

Good luck.

[art walsh]

Do not use osb. Liquids will destroy it. After one rain surface will start to fall apart.
Use CDX plywood. Paint it. I used pool deck paint (left over) with grit built in. You could use garage floor paint

[Token]

Do not use osb. Liquids will destroy it. After one rain surface will start to fall apart.
Use CDX plywood. Paint it. I used pool deck paint (left over) with grit built in. You could use garage floor paint

That’s a crock of malarkey right there.

Have a chicken coop built from osb and it’s going strong 8 years, rain or shine.

For the Playa environment, OSB is preferred. Near-zero chance of rain, and the handful of years that had a sprinkle, it was a sprinkle. Gotta go back to 1999 to find any rain of substance.

OSB does not warp in 5% humidity. CDX warps like crazy.

It is known.

[Canoe]

I thought we had water pooled on the playa in 2014, and since then some brief moments in another year(s)? I think those and maybe another year where some rain in the hills ended up on the edge of the playa and delayed Exodus. Plus a couple of years with some rain just missing the playa or on the playa but missed BRC. One the rain split and went by both north and south. Could easily have wet the playa.
.

.
But OSB should be good out in the elements for three to four weeks before water is an issue. Some OSB is rated for months. Some claiming 'waterproof'.
Chip board and particle board are not so robust in my experience.

If you do used 'sanded' grip paint, same as any paint or coating, do make sure it bonds well and won't become MOOP on the playa.

[Token]

I thought we had water pooled on the playa in 2014, and since then some brief moments in another year(s)? I think those and maybe another year where some rain in the hills ended up on the edge of the playa and delayed Exodus. Plus a couple of years with some rain just missing the playa or on the playa but missed BRC. One the rain split and went by both north and south. Could easily have wet the playa.
.

.
But OSB should be good out in the elements for three to four weeks before water is an issue. Some OSB is rated for months. Some claiming 'waterproof'.
Chip board and particle board are not so robust in my experience.

If you do used 'sanded' grip paint, same as any paint or coating, do make sure it bonds well and won't become MOOP on the playa.

I’m talking Playa Platform - folks walking with garbage bags on their feet …

Yeah, there were a few storm cells over the years but nothing to damage wood.

Whaddaya think happens in the real world when houses are built year round? Giant umbrellas? /s

Yeah, 10-day window, long history of 4% humidity - OSB and all that glue my brother.

[kpsf1964]

Horrifically late reply but many thanks to all who took time to reply, particularly Token.

We scrapped all plans beyond just getting the camp up and running efficiently after three years off-playa. Glad we did this. Hard enough as it was given the weather. One of our best years ever.