Thread: Shipping Container Storage

Has anyone bought or rented one for an on site storage unit ??

Looking at maybe a 30-40ft one for the property, we might have the MiL's stuff to store over the winter after she moves up

Any hints or advice is appreciated

Glen,

We used a 20ft container in Tonga. Due to the high heat and humidity, we did 2 things to
discourage mold and mildew:

1) we cut a few ventilation holes and covered them with window screen;

2) to assure a bit of air circulation around the storage boxes, we placed them all on wooden
pallets. If the boxes were stacked, we put a pallet between each layer.

Also, we placed a couple of rat baits in there...just in case.

It can get mighty hot inside there in the summer! The Chinese merchants would build a roof
over theirs, and that helps a lot.

Paul

Ive seen roofs built over them. if you are going to buy one id recommend that. The heat is crazy.

You have plenty of shade, find a nich and park it. Basically it’s a drop off shed, maybe run an electric line to it for a light and plug set a fan inside, and like said some ventilation. At my farm we have 1 we just bought a few of the round soffit vents and installed. A rat trap wouldn’t hurt if it’s not tight, but check on it real regular. Plus as stated separating stuff for ventilation really helps not having hiding places. And my best advise is just invest in stackable totes, they stack straight and are critter proof, just label so no hunting party

A friend with some land up north bought two and had them dropped on his land.
One’s his cottage, the other his steel swimmin hole.
He has one exterior wall of each clad in mica panels for solar power, as well as a small wind turbine.
Right off the grid with enough electricity to power his needs..
He added a roof for ventilation and shade as others have suggested and is pretty free with his welder so modifies as needed.
Had I land id totally do the same..

I have a friend in the BC interior who has used a container for storage for over 10 years. He parked it in the shade to avoid overheating the contents. He claims it will survive the fires that seem to hit his area every few years, but has fortunately not had to test that out in practice.

I gotta check our Tax code

I know the Container is Not Taxable but I have a sneaking suspicion if I put a roof over it (Good Idea) it gets taxed as another out building..

I have a couple of emails out to the companies, I guess like everything else that price has doubled in the last 5 years

A few words about "where to put it," especially if it's gonna be there a while:

Definitely in the shade...A roof is better yet, but obviously more trouble and expense.

Don't just "set it on the ground", unless you want dampness and corrosion problems long-term.
If your ground is well-drained, a few inches of gravel underneath is good.
If it's NOT well-drained, set it up on posts, with air space underneath.

If you get a well-used shipping container, a coat of Rustoleum paint spruces it up a bit, and adds
some protection from the elements.

And put a heavy-duty padlock on it...or maybe a claymore.

Perfect that was the plan ...

I have a spot behind the Polebarn where we usually park the Boat Trailer and Utility Trailer will drop a weed barrier and then Drain Rock

it will be out of the way mostly shaded and still have easy access

Not sure how long the MiL's stuff will be in there, we are not sure if she will be staying with us in the house, or we will be building her a small place on our extra 5 acres just south of our place..
It will at least be full over this winter since we can't do anything until at least next spring/summer

I like TC's idea of power too, we have power out in the Polebarn so it would be easy enough..
In fact when I ran power out there we dropped a 240 run and I am only using one side of it now so I have a separate leg if need

There’s a lot of information out there about converting those containers into dwellings. Have you thought about that if she ends up staying with you?