Large Shipping Containers for Storage - Opinions Requested

[Beltzington]

For some time I have been considering buying a 40-foot container to store and secure some expensive vehicles and parts I keep at our uninhabited property. We have only had one break-in in the last 8-years but I'm afraid a $9K UTV might be too tempting for some to leave be.

Here are my questions:
Are they usable storage or do you end up with a forty foot cave where you can't get to what you need? How hard is it to get an ATV, PWC trailer or tractor into and out of?

Do piers on each corner provide a stable base or would more support be required? How level does it need to be for the doors to open and close properly? Internet suggestions range from dump it on the ground to a full cement foundation.

Would the container structure support a framed truss roof?

Would you buy one again or spend more money and build a pole barn?

 

[kevin37b]

#1, depends . #2 level on grade corners not a concern , all the corners do is lock them into another container . #3 Yes. #4 spend more money .

 

[Redlands Okie]

Corner support only should be fine. When they are being hauled many of the trailors only hold them on the corners. They often hold around 60,000 lbs cargo capacity. They weigh around 8000 to 9000 lbs I think. Yes they can just be set on the ground but will often sink in and then you have door opening issues. The bottoms of some are wood and some metal. Getting them up out of the soil will help stop rotting wood and rust issues. A well packed gravel bed under the entire container can solve this issue. If you just support the corners keep in mind the weight issues and how big your supports need to be, it varies with the planed storage items weight and your type of soil. The lip on the front of the containers are about 6 inches high I think. Would think a board or two in front running cross wise would take of any loading issues. They will easily handle a pitched roof on top of them as they are built to support several loaded containers on top of each other. Your access to storage area depends on how well you plan your floor layout of storage and how organized you are. Walk through door opening can be cut in the sides if needed and a door installed. Not sure how the door would affect your security. The lock location on the existing door at the ends are set up so as to be hard to tamper with. They do make containers with doors on both ends and even on one side. Takes a bit of looking to find them sometimes.

 

[not2old]

I had one for 20 years that I parked at an RV and more storage lot. I had an old car in it and also used it for storage of left over construction materials, chained ladders and my cartop boat to the roof. This was located in a suberb of Vancouver, B.C. The local climate caused tons of condensation with the ceiling frequently dripping with water until I scored a bunch of old styrofoam insulation that I used to cover the roof other than under the boat where there didn't seem to be a problem. Everything stored inside smelled of mould/mildew?? The car has been sitting outside since I moved here in 2010, still unrestored and yes it still smells inside. If you do this make sure this doesn't happen; provide lots of ventilation. This was a 40 ' aluminum container and it sat on the four corners just fine. If finances allow, and there is sufficient privacy during construction, I'd build the pole barn with a concrete floor and conceal the basement with a hatch of some sort where you could lower the toys into it. I know of where this was done. Some plywood is scattered over the hatch and a disabled bulldozer is parked over it. He hasn't lost anthing in 30 years.

 

[Beltzington]

Thanks all for your comments, I was about ready to have one delivered and would have if they would have had a double-door available but I am reconsidering the purpose and aesthetics of concept. $5k to deliver a double door container as they only have them available if purchased as a one trip container. Double that price and I would have a good start on a nice barn.

Not2Old - I had forgotten reading about condensation problems, thanks for the reminder. Awesome place you live, I have spent several months in the Pacific Northwest working at Boeing and if I did not have parents to care for I would certainly spend more time in your area.

 

[bcp]

I don't know about cost comparisons, but there are insulated containers. That should stop roof and wall condensation.

Bruce

 

[Industrial Toys]

Good sturdy storage. I got mine for free, just shipping. It's getting a bit crusty. Borrowed a friends airless painter to paint it green from orange, to make it blend into the forest better.

Put it on rail road ties.

Yes, it is a bit of a pain winding your way through junk to the back. Project 287 on my list is putting some kind of lighting in there. It is remote located so I may plug it into whatever vehicle I happen to be in. Can't really be bothered with solar.

My biggest issue, and I don't put valuables in there, is the condensation dripping from the roof at certain times of the year.

If, I ever got another, it would be an insulated reefer unit.

 

[kirkawilson]

Here is an option from Charleston, S.C. I have not used one before. I posted a thread on here TBN a few months ago looking for reviews but nobody responded. It's not far from Appling. MultiboxSC - About Our Boxes

 

[Industrial Toys]

Some memories. This excavator had some trouble needing cylinder repacking.

Dragging it was no easy matter either.

Getting it into a tight spot among trees took some doing as well.

View attachment 505793View attachment 505795View attachment 505799View attachment 505801View attachment 505803

 

[Raspy]

I've had two of them for years in Northern Nevada. No condensate problems at all. Very useful. They don't have to be single use ones, just not too beat up. Different sellers have different quality ones and you can shop for the nicer/later made ones. Mine were also painted and had an elastomeric roof top coating applied. I paid a bit more for those, but the appearance, lack of holes and good working doors was worth it.

If you put shelving units down each side you can have a lot of organization and a walkway in between. You can install a man door along the side if you want to make access easier. I sometimes store my 29 HP New Holland tractor in mine and it fits very easily as long as I fold down the roll bar.

I only support mine on the four corners. Plenty strong enough for that and that is how they are designed. On heaving ships, when full of heavy cargo, they are only supported this way. Once dropped off you can adjust the level with a hydraulic jack and some concrete piers with pressure treated blocks.

Rabbits love to dig under them if placed close to the ground and my coyote dug out a full den under one of mine. She had a very secure spot to sleep.

A ramp of gravel will allow you to drive the tractor in and more large gravel around the perimeter will keep the critters from digging under.

The easiest way to move them yourself is to make an axle with a couple of truck tires on it, that is long enough to fit under the container with the wheels along each side. Some plate steel pads can sit against the bottom of the container that are welded to the top of the axle. Lift one end with a crane or forklift and roll the axle under to about 10' in. Then set that end down and go pick up the other end. Then drive it around like a big trailer. If the axle you make won't stay put, you can clamp it on to the lower flange or tack weld it.

 

[Stimw]

I bought this 48'er for $1500. off of CL and it cost me $450. to have it delivered 60 miles to my property.
I have worked on, moved and stored in containers for over 30 years.
After delivery I needed to build my shop so I had to move the container about 90' and turn it 90*. I hooked to the bottom pockets with chain and drug it to where I wanted it.
I stored my tractor in it until the shop was built, now a lot of misc. "Stuff".
They can be securely locked if they have the no tamper lock box.

 

[ovrszd]

Kinda off subject. Today I was sitting in a truck stop parking lot eating my lunch. A truck hauling a container pulled in for fuel. It was a 40' container that had been modified to 53". 6' or so added to each end. First I had saw like that. Still had the 40' stake pockets.

For me,,,, I'd struggle with a 40' storage facility that was only 8' wide. Tremendous amount of wasted space. I can only imagine how that would be magnified by adding 13' to the length.

 

[Dave Pee]

I sure like my older 40 ft container. Much more secure than my mobile home. Put in a window unit to keep 1/2 dry. Added inside insulation boards. and simple metal roof on top.

Easy to move around with 8" round fence posts underneath.

 

[Rara Avis]

Buy a pair of 20 footers and put a roof over them...
Products >> Standard Kits >> Podroof USA shipping container roof kits

 

[ssrider]

For some time I have been considering buying a 40-foot container to store and secure some expensive vehicles and parts I keep at our uninhabited property. We have only had one break-in in the last 8-years but I'm afraid a $9K UTV might be too tempting for some to leave be.

Here are my questions:
Are they usable storage or do you end up with a forty foot cave where you can't get to what you need? How hard is it to get an ATV, PWC trailer or tractor into and out of?

Do piers on each corner provide a stable base or would more support be required? How level does it need to be for the doors to open and close properly? Internet suggestions range from dump it on the ground to a full cement foundation.

Would the container structure support a framed truss roof?

Would you buy one again or spend more money and build a pole barn?

I bought a 40 footer to put on my vacant property when I first bought it for the same reason you are looking at doing it. I believe I paid $3200 delivered for an older but good shape unit. It worked very well for me to keep my tractor and other property secure. Since I built my house I dragged it further back on my property and will be re-painting it this year to keep for permanent storage. I also added some additional vents because they can get quite hot in the summer.

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You just have to organize it accordingly, as the stuff you put in the back can become a bit of a pain to get out. I am installing shelving down both sides at the back this summer to help organize.

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The shipping container only needs to be supported on the corners. I just leveled out the existing ground and put a Railway tie under each end. It has settled a little bit but nothing major. It does need to be fairly level for the doors to open smoothly. Nice thing about it being on RR ties is you can easily put a bottle jack under and lift it to shim it slightly. Also keeps air moving underneath it so it doesn't rust/rot out.

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The container would support a trussed roof. I plan on building a lean-to off of mine in the future.

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I would definitely recommend buying one. Very affordable storage and can be somewhat easily moved if you want it in a different location.

 

[not2old]

Not2Old - I had forgotten reading about condensation problems, thanks for the reminder. Awesome place you live, I have spent several months in the Pacific Northwest working at Boeing and if I did not have parents to care for I would certainly spend more time in your area.[/QUOTE]

No way for me to tell for sure, but my experience suggests that if you put a roof over it, most of the condensation problems will disappear. The moisture inside was sometimes so bad that there was "rain" inside and under the area where my boat was kept (prevented sunshine from hitting the top of the container) it would be dry. The picture posted here with the roof between two 20 footers sure looks good.

 

[Beltzington]

Appreciate the recommendations, I really like the modular truss system, I have found whenever I have an idea I google it and someone has already provided a better solution. The condensation issue is simply a result of warmer moist air being trapped in the container when the exterior cools. Thinking on this I am curious how containers shipped from the southern hemisphere at not dripping wet inside when they are opened up north. Venting would mitigate the problem but I always assumed the containers were air tight. Anyway...

I think I am leaning to just building a framed barn/shed, Kirk, I also was unable to contact the Multibox company. I will need to check with the county inspector to see what options are approved, anything larger than 200 sq ft requires a permit.

 

[Sinecure]

I used two containers on my unoccupied property for storage before I built my shop or barn. For me they worked great. The shop came later which is why I went with a lean-to roof versus trusses over the containers.

The small solar panel in the picture powers two small exhaust fans I installed in the containers. With the roof and the exhaust fans, I have not had a condensation issue.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Maybe when a container is jam packed full of wonderful Chinese goodies, there is no moist air to condense. Just a thought.

 

[ovrszd]

The glut of containers for sale is definitely because of our foreign trade deficit. The primary contributor being China.