Shipping Containers

[bridge4]

Hey All,
I am very close to ordering a 40 foot, high clearance shipping container to store my tractor and some implements in. I currently own a 40ft, regular clearance, that I store my lawn mower, wheeler, compost spreader, snowblower and on and on. I just moved to a new location and newly built house, there wasn't room in the budget for a garage or barn yet, the container was the best choice.

Before I order one for the tractor, I wanted to see if anyone has done this, or had any worries. It is under 3k, delivered. Can't beat that in any other storage type, and with a fresh coat of paint these things look as good or better than the temporary canvas type sheds IMO, plus way more sturdy and last way longer.

In the spring I might build a roof between the two and have even more storage and a place to keep some materials dry.

Anyways, whose done it! Got any pictures? Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[Industrial Toys]

Having a regular one, the only thing I would do, next time is order a reefer/insulated one. In this climate, it rains in there at certain times of the year from condensation. If it's rarely disturbed, it probably wouldn't happen as often. Letting in warm moist air, then closing it down to cool off overnight. I don't keep anything that could get ruined in there. Hose, pipe and stuff like that.

 

[bridge4]

Thanks for the advice. I have added venting to mine, along with what comes built into them (4 in top corners) and while it gets warm, I haven't noticed too much dampness. I'm not worried about humidity as much as just sitting out in rain and snow all year, or mice getting at things and building nests and chewing wires.


The only insulated ones I have seen are smaller ones for refrigeration, not sure if they would be big enough for what I wanted, or how that increases the price.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Not sure on price either. Certainly, many 40 plus foot ones are reefers. I just know that insulating them with their non standard dimensions is difficult so the price of an insulated one, is "probably" well worth it if that's what you want.

I had my wing mower in there for a while, years back and actually had to tarp it, to prevent the condensation from raining on it.

Problem with mice is that you have to be so vigilant as not to leave the doors open.

It does, keep blowing dirt off your stuff, as well as leaves and needles. Oh, and sun, that's a big one. Plus, you don't need to dig stuff out of a snow bank.

 

[searcyfarms]

if you have power in it, just use a small dehudimifier they work great, i have one in my shop to keep my insulation from getting mold in it - they cost very little to run and are well worth the $$

 

[Industrial Toys]

I love them. And make water for the batteries!

 

[ning]

I've had my 40' hi-cube for a year now.
My Branson 3520h drives in with the ROPS up with plenty to spare.
The container has very small vents; I've had no insect problems and despite a wet winter there was no issue with condensation.
I placed the container on railroad ties over gravel on a very slight slope (the slope drops about 6" over the length of the container); the container itself is level.

I probably paid too much, but I got a one-trip (ie practically brand new, I get to ding it up myself) that's got a light tan paint; with 50% sun it stays a tolerable temperature inside in the summer, and the outfit that sold & delivered it were willing to bring it down a narrow dirt road and drop it at the end of a really tight turnaround.

 

[searcyfarms]

my neighbor bought a 20 footer, standard height, paid 2400 delivered he uses his for dry storage of parts/lumber/electrical - he has had his a year and no issues with condensation here

 

[buck12]

I am looking at doing the exact same thing in the next few weeks. I currently have a standard height container but hope to close on a new tractor this week which will be too tall for the current container. I have priced a high cube at $1975 and plan to have existing container relocated where it will 15 feet space between the containers with a roof spanning the distance. I have used the existing container to store my tractor, implements, tools, and my father’s ATV for about three years. Containers are the best bang for the buck for storage mainly because mice and squirrels can’t get to wires and seats. I do get some condensation at times. Installing vents has been on my todo list for a while but I just have not gotten it done. I am interested in following your build as to how you attach the roof and so forth.

 

[bridge4]

I don't have power there, these are in theory a temporary fix, and I will move them into the woods and maybe bury them in the future, so no permanent stuff. I am going to get some smaller screens than I had originally used in there, I want something that will be firmer/smaller holes. No mice allowed!!

@ning I also considered a one-tripper on my first buy, I was going to get one, but my cousin had a few used ones and work and showed me what some paint could do. I got a sprayer from sherwin williams and now the thing looks almost brand new except for a few hard to notice dents. I decided I would do it again, I power washed before as well. The paint color I chose was "cast iron" it is a matte green, somewhere between light and forest, blends in well. Mine is on gravel and a slope, but not anything underneath. I know I could but...it drains very well and is never wet, so I'm not going to bother. Post up a few pics! Mine is a 7-10 day delivery, so I'll have to wait a few days to post.

@buck12 Depending on how far you are from the shipping docks, delivery can be a big difference, I am about 3-3.5 hours from closest docks and shipping has been MORE than the cost of the actual container for me. If you can pick it up yourself you can really snag a deal!

 

[buck12]

I don't have power there, these are in theory a temporary fix, and I will move them into the woods and maybe bury them in the future, so no permanent stuff. I am going to get some smaller screens than I had originally used in there, I want something that will be firmer/smaller holes. No mice allowed!!

@ning I also considered a one-tripper on my first buy, I was going to get one, but my cousin had a few used ones and work and showed me what some paint could do. I got a sprayer from sherwin williams and now the thing looks almost brand new except for a few hard to notice dents. I decided I would do it again, I power washed before as well. The paint color I chose was "cast iron" it is a matte green, somewhere between light and forest, blends in well. Mine is on gravel and a slope, but not anything underneath. I know I could but...it drains very well and is never wet, so I'm not going to bother. Post up a few pics! Mine is a 7-10 day delivery, so I'll have to wait a few days to post.

@buck12 Depending on how far you are from the shipping docks, delivery can be a big difference, I am about 3-3.5 hours from closest docks and shipping has been MORE than the cost of the actual container for me. If you can pick it up yourself you can really snag a deal!

I am less than an hour from several major rail yards so shipping is very reasonable.

 

[Blackcatstrat]

My tractor lives in my storage container year round, never an issue with condensation or anything else. Was a good investment.

Jer

 

[koshari]

We have a 20 footer, i put concrete footings under the 4 corners to raise it of the ground a bit to provide airflow , also built a 6x6 carport over top with the overhang to the side providing a carport. We also harvest stormwater from it.

 

[bridge4]

Encouraging to hear! I ordered the HC container Monday, should be here by next week I am hoping. Tractor is supposed to be here this week, but looking like next possibly at this point.

@koshari, post some pics of your carport if you don't mind. I've considered adding one.

 

[RjCorazza]

I bought a standard 40' box 20 years ago to store my tractor, mowers, and plows in. I've always wanted to get another and build a roof between them.
I put mine on 8 railroad ties on concrete leveling piers and a gravel bed.
Unfortunately my current L4060 cab tractor doesn't fit in it height wise.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm on my third 40 foot container, but they have all been standard height containers. The first two didn't have very good ventilation and I had some condensation issues. I stored some 4 wheelers in one container and my tractor in the other one. I had to fold the ROPS over on the tractor to get it in there, but hopefully yours will be tall enough to not have to do that. It was a tight fit, but I could still walk past the tractor to get to the shelves I built for storage further into the container.

On my current container, I have a 2x2 vent cut into the bottom of the wall close to the doors and a spinning roof vent on the ceiling at the other end of the container. This creates air flow inside the container. The air is drawn in at the lowest point and then flows through the full length of the container to the other end, and out the ceiling. This has completely eliminated any condensation issues. I have found no sign of mold, moisture or smell in almost ten years that I've had it vented like this.

 

[shooterdon]

I'm on my third 40 foot container, but they have all been standard height containers. The first two didn't have very good ventilation and I had some condensation issues. I stored some 4 wheelers in one container and my tractor in the other one. I had to fold the ROPS over on the tractor to get it in there, but hopefully yours will be tall enough to not have to do that. It was a tight fit, but I could still walk past the tractor to get to the shelves I built for storage further into the container.

On my current container, I have a 2x2 vent cut into the bottom of the wall close to the doors and a spinning roof vent on the ceiling at the other end of the container. This creates air flow inside the container. The air is drawn in at the lowest point and then flows through the full length of the container to the other end, and out the ceiling. This has completely eliminated any condensation issues. I have found no sign of mold, moisture or smell in almost ten years that I've had it vented like this.

Good post EW.

Your solution makes a lot of sense.

 

[hawkeye08]

I've been thinking about one for years, just never got it done.. I'm not sure where I would put it anyway, really don't want to block view.

 

[bridge4]

I bought a standard 40' box 20 years ago to store my tractor, mowers, and plows in. I've always wanted to get another and build a roof between them.
I put mine on 8 railroad ties on concrete leveling piers and a gravel bed.
Unfortunately my current L4060 cab tractor doesn't fit in it height wise.

That's why I went with the HC for my new one, I think I might squeak into a regular one, but I'd rather not push it.

 

[bridge4]

I'm on my third 40 foot container, but they have all been standard height containers. The first two didn't have very good ventilation and I had some condensation issues. I stored some 4 wheelers in one container and my tractor in the other one. I had to fold the ROPS over on the tractor to get it in there, but hopefully yours will be tall enough to not have to do that. It was a tight fit, but I could still walk past the tractor to get to the shelves I built for storage further into the container.

On my current container, I have a 2x2 vent cut into the bottom of the wall close to the doors and a spinning roof vent on the ceiling at the other end of the container. This creates air flow inside the container. The air is drawn in at the lowest point and then flows through the full length of the container to the other end, and out the ceiling. This has completely eliminated any condensation issues. I have found no sign of mold, moisture or smell in almost ten years that I've had it vented like this.

I have added a few vents the other day to mine, I haven't had issues yet. On the new one I was going to do what you are talking about, add lower vent on one end and then use an RV vent for the roof near the other end. They make a shield for the roof vents so that rain/snow won't get in as well for about $30-$40.