Shipping Container Storage

woods

woods

I probably did it wrong.
Joined
May 22, 2020
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Was chatting with Dad about building a small shed next year for the welder, generator, gas cans, torches, etc. Nothing fancy. Just to get the stuff out of the shop and out of the weather. He did mention that all that stuff is going to get torn apart by mice, which I have had happen last year. Both my motorcycles had mine in the airboxes. So, what about shipping containers? I see the water tight ones. Its said they are resistant to vermin. Anyone with first hand experience? I mean, looks "cheap enough" to get one delivered. Couple grand or so. Waiting to hear back on prices for a 20' and a 40'.

Have they held up for you? Any issues? Be nice to clear out a bunch of room out of the shop. Hell, my motorcycles and ATV could even be stored in there.
 
No personal experience but they are a 'couple grand each' here too. If I had space for one I'd park it and put a bunch of stuff in it.
 
We have a 20’ that serves as my workshop and some storage. I have never seen any evidence of rodents in the container, but spiders are pretty common

We paid $1000 for it from a private party a few years ago, $200 for delivery (flat bed tow truck)

I need to add some ventilation because it will sweat inside under certain conditions
 
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We've got a 40' at work that's been sitting in an overgrown yard for a few years, mice got into one of the loaders, but no sign of them inside the container last time I had it open.
 
They need a vent fan, I didn't want to believe it because I'm in the desert, but it's real, the aluminum t cases I stick in them get a white powdery coating on them
 
I cut a hole in the roof and put in a turbine vent. add contractor puck lock, good to go.
 
Huh. Welp, this looks like the route I'll go then.
 
crisbee1 said:
I cut a hole in the roof and put in a turbine vent. add contractor puck lock, good to go.
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This, but with a box
mine has a box around the lock, the guy next property over had an exposed lock, his got broken into, they didn't try mine
 
woods said:
Huh. Welp, this looks like the route I'll go then.
Click to expand...

The first thing I did was run power to the “shed”, next was put in shelves and a work bench before moving in the first box. We had been renting one when we first moved on the property, finally got to a point where we could buy one :grinpimp:
 
$2-3 k today for a 40'
Shop AROUND and dicker on price!
no mice IF WIND AND H2o tight, cargo ready will be more$$$
+1 on venting
 
It's often worth while to get the extra tall version of the 40. It's only a foot taller but it makes a big difference what you can fit. The last 3 I bought were $200 extra for the extra tall.
 
We've had a 20' since March. 40' was only ~$200 more than a 40' but I didn't want a 40'. As has been stated, most folks want 20' boxes so they cost more.

I bought a 12V fan, a 100W solar panel, and sundries to set up a powered vent, but that's near the bottom of a long list of projects. My box came with passive vents in two corners stock, and hasn't been a problem yet. I'm in humid & hot central AR.

I didn't pick my box out, just called a place and asked for their best 20'. I don't know if I really got their best, I requested sea worthy, not just wind & water tight. Wind & water tight, is a lower grade, maybe good enough for a shed, but not necessarily good enough for another trip across the ocean. I didn't have anything to compare it to, but mine is pretty beat up, looks like a few dozen forklifts have bounced off of the walls. I scrubbed and painted the interior walls and ceiling with some Zinsser Cover Stain, to cover the bare metal and rust spots.

I put some effort into leveling our box, but the less frequently used door is difficult to unlatch and very difficult to unlatch. The right door overlaps the left door, so it's used the most and is much easier to unlatch and latch. That left door though, it takes some effort and Jewels can't open or close it by herself.

I wouldn't cut a hole in the roof, you're just asking for a leak. Vent up high on the wall if you need.

Like I said, I don't know that I really got the quality of box that I requested or paid for, I have my doubts, but it's been dry secure storage so far. When I was shopping in March, I was cautioned that what the folks had in inventory was it, they weren't getting anymore until COVID calmed down. I'm not sure if that's still the case or not?
 
I have a 20 and am going tommorow morning to pick up 2 24' containers I bought last weekend. They work great
 
We used 2x 40s at the body shop I was at, they were great as a "shed". As noted vents make a big difference.
 
IMO They're the best option for the $$$ if you want a tough, water tight shed and you can place it where the county won't fuck with you (Can't be seen from the road). My dad's neighbor fucked up and told the county he was using one as a shed now they want him to either side the thing and put a roof on it like a shed or a fence so it's not visible from the county road.

If there were any way to get one in my back yard I'd have done it years ago, wooden sheds suck.
 
Op
fwiw
I have 3 MAJOR shipping ports nearby (oakland for 1) , These guys make used car salesman look like chior boy's.
most are drop shipping.
I just got a 40 a month ago, the bids were $1500 apart not to mention the clisters at double!
 
TrikeKid said:
If there were any way to get one in my back yard I'd have done it years ago, wooden sheds suck.
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helicopter-a-1.jpg
:flipoff2:
 
Make sure to build a base for it.

We used 4 or 5 of the extra long railroad ties.
 
I have 2) 40’ and the tops leak, and the floors are rottting. They sweat inside too. I’m NOT impressed.

now i will take a little responsibity for the floors, because i set them straight on fhe dirt
 
So installing a vent, what was the purpose of that again? I'm not working out of this thing. 100% for storage.

I currently have a slot for a 20', but a weekend with the tractor and a chainsaw, I can extend it to a 40'.

Didn't consider a base. I was just going to drop it right on the ground.

Delivery should be a trick. Its about a quarter mile in the woods with a 90º turn then up a hill. :homer:

And once this thing is in a place, there's no moving I guess is there?
 
They will trap humidity, condensation, inside rain, whatever, I read it on other site, I was too smart and claimed "dry heat" if I'm pissed off and needing a vent, you do too:flipoff2:

edit, I think because of the metal construction and the being sealed well, they suck humid air in but don't boil it out. Somebody else will explain it better
 
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Ya need a flat AND level base if ha want the doors to swing well.
you need drainage to keep the floors tight.
You need air flow to keep condensation out.
 
woods said:
So installing a vent, what was the purpose of that again? I'm not working out of this thing. 100% for storage.

I currently have a slot for a 20', but a weekend with the tractor and a chainsaw, I can extend it to a 40'.

Didn't consider a base. I was just going to drop it right on the ground.

Delivery should be a trick. Its about a quarter mile in the woods with a 90º turn then up a hill. :homer:

And once this thing is in a place, there's no moving I guess is there?
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They sweat, not as bad as say a steel shed but they still get wet inside. I've been working on a truck that was stored in one for a few years this week, every piece of aluminum (90's style street rod, so a lot) is corroded to shit from being damp.
 
A small muffin fan from a computer should help circulate air enough to stop as much stagnant air.
 
Fair enough. I'll have to see what I can do about power. Its not that close to the house. Its all tree cover too, so I don't know about a solar panel either. Hrm. I'll come up with something.
 
Build a second roof over it, the roof will puddle water in the corners and it will rust thru. One of the common setups is to extend the roof over one side to create a covered area. Fairly common in our area fior storage. Dont even try if you are within city limits.
 
I put in drainage and 3/4” stone then set it on 6x6 pt. Definitely needs ventilation. Beeline down in West Springfield is where I got mine. That’s reasonably close to Woods.
 
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