I'm building a 10 X 12 foot storage shed that I will need to move in a year or so. I'm about done framing the floor: I'm using PT 2 x 6 lumber, 16" OC, w/ joist hangers. I plan to sheet it with 3/4 PT plywood, screwed + subfloor adhesive.
My question is about the skids: I purchase three 4 x 6 x 12 timbers, and placed two of them flush with the outside edges of the 12 foot rim joists. The third skid I placed @ 5 ft O.C. (down the middle of the floor).
However, I've been told I am doing it wrong: the side skids need to be inset 12 inches from the rim joist. Plus, I need a fourth skid, so as to have two supporting the middle of the structure.
It feels intuitive to place the side skids the way I have them now- even though it is a bit more difficult to tie them into the floor joists this way. My thinking is that the whole weight of the walls and roof will be bearing down on the outside edges of the floor- so why not transfer that weight directly to the skids instead of putting the load 12 inches of unsupported floor joists? And a fourth skid? That sounds excessive...
Can anyone help? I want to get this right the first time...
There will *always* be someone who will tell you that "you are doing it all wrong"... Generally most of these people don't know their right from a wrong!
Personally, I think if you are going to want to move it, you should put wheels on the building. Oh, and so you don't have to drag it a motor would be nice too. Steering? Sure, And a window to see out of while yuo are driving your shed around will be nice, so yuo don't have to stick your head out the door to see where yuo are going!
Or, just keep what you have done (or plan to do?) and you'll be OK.
I have an 8x12 storage shed I built on a concrete slab. Last year I needed to move it around to the back of the house, so I unbolted it from the slab and installed some 2x4's diagonally across the inside of the floor to keep it from tweaking out of square. Then I jacked it up, cut off the anchor bolts flush with the slab, and slid a couple of 2x6's under the two outside walls (the 12' sides). I set the shed back down and fastened the sole plates to the skids. Then I tied the two "skids" together at each end on the outside of the building with 2x4's to keep them from pulling together.
I was renting a Bobcat skid steer loader to do some landscaping anyway, so I attached a couple of chains to the Bobcat bucket and the cross brace running on the front end between the two skids. I lifted the bucket just enough to get the front ends of the skids off the dirt, and started backing up slowly.
I expected the whole shed to come crashing down in a pile of rubble, but it actually transported very nicely. No creaks, no groans, no problems. I dragged it about 60' around the house over fairly rough ground. It was even easy to turn the shed to move around trees and whatnot. Once I had the shed where I wanted it, I unhooked the chains, then used the bucket of the Bobcat to "nudge" the skids one way or another to get it exactly where I wanted it. I was surprised at how easily it moved.
We jacked the shed back up about a foot and a half off the ground, and poured a new slab underneath it. I redrilled for the new anchor bolts, set the shed back down on the new slab, and bolted it in place. After repainting and new roof shingles, you can't tell it was ever moved.
By the way, for fastening all the skids and diagonal braces, I used some heavy duty screws made by Simpson. I can't remember what they're called now, but they're usually located with all the framing brackets in Home Centers. They're kind of like a self drilling lag bolt, and are easy to drive with a drill/driver. Very strong, easy to install and remove later. I used the 3" size.
On a more humerous note, back in my not so bright younger days, I tried to pull a "loaded" 8x12 shed I had built on two 4x6 skids once with a small compact car (VW Rabbit). Needless to say, it weighed more than the car did so the front wheel drive car just swung back and forth as the tires spun in vain. So, I gave up and dismantled the shed... :) I made a nice mailbox posted out of the skids I had bought for moving the shed.
Long story short, you really don't need all the heavy timbers to pull the shed around, unless you have it loaded. Either way, you'll need a truck or tractor to pull the thing around.
Seriously, make your preps for moving the building now. Bevel the ends of your skids and bore holes a couple of feet from the towing end for your rope or chain.
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