How to Build a Berm

[bigtiller]

I would like to build a berm for loading & unloading pickup trucks. I would put it on one edge of my parking area. Anywhere from 4 to 6 feet wide and about 30 inches tall.

Any ideas out there about materials to use, easy to build and maintain? It will be seen from the road so it has to be more than just a pile of dirt.

 

[bcp]

You might be able to make it less obvious if you split the rise. Fifteen inches down and 15 inches up.

Bruce

 

[Nick359]

When I worked landscaping years ago, we built retaining walls with bricks designed to hold back weight. If you used those it would be astatically appealing, as well as, have a function. I remembered that they weighed about 75 pounds and I put 375 on one wall I built. I picked every one of those things up 3 or 4 times. When I went back to college the next year everyone was amazed at how much time I spent in the gym. I told them, I just work in the summer so I have money when I'm at school. If you dig lower so the wall isn't so high, you might have water retention problems and it will be easier to unload the pickups if the beds are level.

 

[aczlan]

I would set 1-2 "mafia blocks" (2'x2'x4' or 2'x2'x6' concrete block that the cement places make from what's left in the truck when it comes back), then get a couple of the caps that they make to go on top (otherwise, the top has a ridge to help when stacking them) and fill behind it with gravel.

Aaron Z

 

[aczlan]

Mafia Blocks:


Aaron Z

 

[bigtiller]

I would set 1-2 "mafia blocks" (2'x2'x4' or 2'x2'x6' concrete block that the cement places make from what's left in the truck when it comes back), then get a couple of the caps that they make to go on top (otherwise, the top has a ridge to help when stacking them) and fill behind it with gravel.

Aaron Z

That is one of my ideas also. So I called the 2 closest ready mix plants and neither of them deliver or set them and one of them kinda chuckled at the idea of setting them. So I thought I would build my own, which lead to the idea of making it out of lumber or timbers or blocks. And all that brought me here with the question thinking maybe someone has built one and has some tips or tricks for building & maintenance success without spending all my pocket money.

I think I'll call some ready-mix plants further away in the big town.

 

[aczlan]

That is one of my ideas also. So I called the 2 closest ready mix plants and neither of them deliver or set them and one of them kinda chuckled at the idea of setting them. So I thought I would build my own, which lead to the idea of making it out of lumber or timbers or blocks. And all that brought me here with the question thinking maybe someone has built one and has some tips or tricks for building & maintenance success without spending all my pocket money.

I think I'll call some ready-mix plants further away in the big town.

You might try a place that sells cement septic tanks as they are usually equipped to do that. If not, I would find a local excavation contractor and have them deliver/set them. At 3000# for a 6' one, they aren't light, but they shouldn't be a huge deal.


Aaron Z

 

[Stimw]

Sometimes you can find used RR ties for sale.
Stack them and stake them with re-bar and back fill.

 

[bigtiller]

Sometimes you can find used RR ties for sale.
Stack them and stake them with re-bar and back fill.

would you offset them any (how much) or stack them straight up?

 

[davrow]

At 3000# for a 6' one, they aren't light, but they shouldn't be a huge deal. Aaron Z

They advertise them around here... delivery with a minimum purchase. But I wanted to move them myself and the lightest they have are 2,000 lbs. My poor CK27 can't lift that much.

I'm amazed the OP found resistance at the supplier. What else are they going to do with them except make retaining walls?