Storing 55 gallon drums on the side?

[Off grid grandparents]

I built a structure out of 1 5/8" slotted strut channel to hold three 55gal drums high laying on their sides, so the top of the barrel is facing you if you are looking at them. I'm wondering if the sides of the barrel will be strong enough to hold the weight with only a support across the front and back of the barrel. What do you guy's think?

 

[240Geezer]

Never done it personally. The unistrut is strong enough to hold it. The barrels
themselves were designed to sit upright though. I’ve seen them done like that. Also with the supports going the long way. Also with plywood cradles that conform to the curvature of the barrel.
Steel drums either way as they are sturdier.

 

[Bacash]

Yep, you should be fine with that setup, though you might run one the length of the barrel on either side, forming a cradle.

Side note, is that a bathroom sink hanging from the ceiling?

 

[Donfini2]

Haven’t you seen step stools in bathrooms before?

 

[240Geezer]

Hey! Ya never know what you’ll have to throw at the enemy after throwing everything including the kitchen sink.
Elon Musk knows that now🤣

 

[GOBLIN X]

did it for years with#2 fuel oil in 55 gal drums. but they were in cut saddles into 2X10 treated, boxed and horizontal........how munch weight we talkin?

 

[Donfini2]

Water would be 456 per barrel

 

[HandLoad]

Yep, purt near 1500 Pounds! Needs a STOUT rack! And a Hoist overhead?

 

[Off grid grandparents]

Yup, that's my back up sink lol. Thank you all for the replies, and the laughs lol. I think I am going to see what kind of saddle I can make for it to help distribute the weight. Any ideas welcome

 

[GOBLIN X]

Yep, purt near 1500 Pounds! Needs a STOUT rack! And a Hoist overhead?

it is, and its still in use at my sisters place. I was Jus a young shaver when i skinned the 8 locust poles to put it in the ground. boards were sawmill cut, the treated at the creasote dunk down the old fort motor road just past point Lookout. no nails, Pegs and stove bolt assembled.(1/2")
Lost 2 toenails skinnin that honey locust............

 

[GOBLIN X]

what are you keeping in them OffGridGrandparents?

 

[Optimist]

Yup, that's my back up sink lol. Thank you all for the replies, and the laughs lol. I think I am going to see what kind of saddle I can make for it to help distribute the weight. Any ideas welcome

You'll want a hoist to deal with the barrels. Nylon tow straps make good slings for this kind of lifting. Given that a full drum is going to weigh around five hundred pounds (estimated on the high side, but that's the way to figure when you're hossing weight of that level) a one-ton sling is about right.

Sling means you need an overhead support that will handle the weight.

A lot of the recommended method is going to revolve around how much clearance you have to get the barrels in and out of the frame.

 

[240Geezer]

Just a hint but, filling the barrel AFTER it’s in the rack is the way to go.

 

[240Geezer]

Seen plywood cradles and 2x10 or 12 cradles. Farther up the curvature the more sidewall support you’ll get.
Hope that rack is anchored to a side wall or overhead floor joist too.
(Sorry the picture isn’t showing too great on my phone )

 

[Ghost863]

also I would like to point out to elevate the rear of the barrels higher than the front so you can build a good head of air for pressure and it will help to drain better using it as a gravity fed system.

 

[Off grid grandparents]

what are you keeping in them OffGridGrandparents?

For water storage

 

[Off grid grandparents]

Seen plywood cradles and 2x10 or 12 cradles. Farther up the curvature the more sidewall support you’ll get.
Hope that rack is anchored to a side wall or overhead floor joist too.
(Sorry the picture isn’t showing too great on my phone )

I've seen them made from wood also only difference is they sit in a groove. It is a anchored to the joists

 

[240Geezer]

👍🏻

 

[Ghost863]

also OGG, if you tie them together from top to bottom with pvc pipe, you will only have one inlet to fill and it flows from the top barrell to the bottom which will eliminate the need to fill all three separately. It will also mean you only have to by one faucet for the bottom barrel instead of three individual ones.

 

[Off grid grandparents]

also OGG, if you tie them together from top to bottom with pvc pipe, you will only have one inlet to fill and it flows from the top barrell to the bottom which will eliminate the need to fill all three separately. It will also mean you only have to by one faucet for the bottom barrel instead of three individual ones.

Great minds think alike lol. That is exactly what I intend to do. We have a 275 gallon IBC tote and a 600 gallon water tank that is fed rain water from the gutters. Those will gravity feed these three 55 gallon drums