Using Sea Containers (New or Used) For Long Term Storage In The Open
Weevil said
03:34 PM May 24, 2015
Anyone got any feedback on using Sea Containers (New or Used) for long term storage please.
eg; How weather and vermin proof are they and can they be stored in an open area (eg; paddock etc).
Also, what white & other goods are ok to store in them
Any feedback as best places to buy them from etc (new or used) in WA please.
banjo said
03:47 PM May 24, 2015
I have a mate in Mandurah WA who recently had a container delivered to store their daughter and son in laws furniture while they were having a new house built, (they rented a furnished house so had no where to store it) Cost was around 1K delivered, few rust patches but sound. It's a 6m one.
The bad news was after a few weeks the ants were making a good trail into it via every nook and cranny ! I wouldn't want my good gear stored in one on open ground, plus the temperature and maybe occasional humidity (not too bad in WA) could not be conducive to keeping your gear in good order.
Maybe with good housekeeping and spraying around to deter insects and getting it into some shade would help, but they didn't appear as bothered as I would be, one of the reasons we got rid of our gear to go full time on the road.
We did use containers as storage in the caravan yard, they held so much heat that we fitted whirly bird fans on the roof to try and drop the inside temperature , didn't do much good though, still like an oven in the Summer .
k.J.
-- Edited by kiwijims on Sunday 24th of May 2015 04:00:37 PM
The Phantom said
04:02 PM May 24, 2015
I've got one. Bought it, secondhand, about 12 years ago. It has sat in the open for that time and has been used for storage.
I have never had any problem with vermin or insects. Not even spiders or ants.
It developed a small amount of rust over the years and I finished up with a small hole in the top at one place. I gummed that up with silicon after treating it with Rustop. I will install a roof over it from corrugated iron when I finally get home. Other rust points were treated with Rustop and holes clogged with Builders Bog.
Remember these have been used on the open seas on ship's decks and it will be a rare container that doesn't have a small amount of damage or rust but they can be fixed. I bought mine sight unseen but if you can pick one out at an inspection you could get a good one.
I painted it last year to match my shed and it looks quite smart.
I think I bought it from Royal Wolf in Fremantle for about $2k but it cost another $1800 for delivery.
I put shelves in and it is stacked to the gunwales. Worked for me.
Used one for tool storage on farm - strarted to leak on roof so attached rafters on top and covered with corrugated iron this also dropped to temperature so could use it as a workshop - be aware that you will need to put an emergency exit door in end if planning to use as workshop (fire hazard).
hako said
06:27 PM May 24, 2015
Watch out for local council by-laws. Most councils require a building permit for a 3m X 3m lawn locker and you can bet your bottom dollar a container double that size would need one. I put a 3 X3 lawn locker in when we lived at Oakey and had to have a slab floor plus a ratwall. Next time I wont involve the council however all it takes is a complaint from a neighbour.
Good Luck.
Bruce and Bev said
07:44 PM May 24, 2015
Vic. I worked for a company in Cannington and we imported furniture from all round the world - often we had 100's of containers coming in each week.
The biggest problem other than leaking, was heat causing timber products to warp and containers that leaked - often through the door seals being damaged or worn.
Insects weren't a problem for us as they were unpacked within a couple of days of arrival from Freo wharf and they sat of tar sealed container areas outside.
But I would suspect you need to watch out for wood loving insects as well as the temperatures (tine roof above is a good idea which will hopefully solve rain and you had some last weekend!)
KJB said
08:14 PM May 24, 2015
If you put fans in the top you must put ventilation openings in the bottom to let cooler air in and circulate through the container and out through the fans at the top.
KB
Weevil said
09:49 PM May 24, 2015
Thanks for all the feedback and info on the containers all, it has given me some leads and quite a bit to think about, not too sure if we will go down that route but have to consider future plans and options etc.
Again, thanks one and all.
The Phantom said
11:18 PM May 24, 2015
Just think of the positives.
If you buy a 20 footer, you could always fit wheels and a towbar in the future and hit the road in style.
You could fit it out to your dream caravan
The Phantom
Izabarack said
05:38 AM May 25, 2015
I have seen containers in the NT totally invaded by termites in as little as two months. Pest control must be considered. A false roof seems also to be a good addition to help weatherproof the container. Also think about where the container might be sited. Several builders on the Gold Coast have turned up Monday to find the container storing tools and materials, all gone.
Iza
WobblyNut said
06:48 AM May 25, 2015
you might consider this.
the containers they sell may have outlived their seaworthy life.
usually when you take something away from "salty air" it just rusts away quicker.
Yes I had one , yes it is wise to put a roof over it , I just had garden gear &'stuff' in mine,
until I had my garage built. I don't think I would have my "treasures" in one though.
that's My humble opinion though.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:26 PM May 25, 2015
Fit a couple of solar exhaust fans as condensation can be an issue..
Another thing we found was to drop them on logs or concrete slabs in each corner angled slightly so water runs to the rear away from doors.. Helps against rust too..
Weevil said
09:29 PM May 25, 2015
More food for thought, I'm starting to go off the idea though from what's been posted so far, too many iffs and butts....
It did cross my mind that for 2nd hand containers they may have been sold for a reason, being no good for sea journeys anymore due to damage/faults etc.
Don't know if I would want one on wheels Phantom but stranger things have been converted in the past....
Have vents or exhaust fans could give entry points to pests though for storage, might be ok if it is being used as a workshop or something though.
Thanks for the feedback all.
-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 25th of May 2015 09:31:52 PM
Anyone got any feedback on using Sea Containers (New or Used) for long term storage please.
eg; How weather and vermin proof are they and can they be stored in an open area (eg; paddock etc).
Also, what white & other goods are ok to store in them
Any feedback as best places to buy them from etc (new or used) in WA please.
The bad news was after a few weeks the ants were making a good trail into it via every nook and cranny ! I wouldn't want my good gear stored in one on open ground, plus the temperature and maybe occasional humidity (not too bad in WA) could not be conducive to keeping your gear in good order.
Maybe with good housekeeping and spraying around to deter insects and getting it into some shade would help, but they didn't appear as bothered as I would be, one of the reasons we got rid of our gear to go full time on the road.
You could give this Mob a try VIC,
http://truebluecontainers5-px.rtrk.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/big_logo.jpg
or this Ad from GUMTREE, there are plenty of sea containers advertised on there.......
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/midland/miscellaneous-goods/sea-container-products-and-services/1048843324
We did use containers as storage in the caravan yard, they held so much heat that we fitted whirly bird fans on the roof to try and drop the inside temperature , didn't do much good though, still like an oven in the Summer .
k.J.
-- Edited by kiwijims on Sunday 24th of May 2015 04:00:37 PM
I've got one. Bought it, secondhand, about 12 years ago. It has sat in the open for that time and has been used for storage.
I have never had any problem with vermin or insects. Not even spiders or ants.
It developed a small amount of rust over the years and I finished up with a small hole in the top at one place. I gummed that up with silicon after treating it with Rustop. I will install a roof over it from corrugated iron when I finally get home. Other rust points were treated with Rustop and holes clogged with Builders Bog.
Remember these have been used on the open seas on ship's decks and it will be a rare container that doesn't have a small amount of damage or rust but they can be fixed. I bought mine sight unseen but if you can pick one out at an inspection you could get a good one.
I painted it last year to match my shed and it looks quite smart.
I think I bought it from Royal Wolf in Fremantle for about $2k but it cost another $1800 for delivery.
I put shelves in and it is stacked to the gunwales. Worked for me.
The Phantom
www.google.com.au/search
so with a little work they would be great
Good Luck.
The biggest problem other than leaking, was heat causing timber products to warp and containers that leaked - often through the door seals being damaged or worn.
Insects weren't a problem for us as they were unpacked within a couple of days of arrival from Freo wharf and they sat of tar sealed container areas outside.
But I would suspect you need to watch out for wood loving insects as well as the temperatures (tine roof above is a good idea which will hopefully solve rain and you had some last weekend!)
If you put fans in the top you must put ventilation openings in the bottom to let cooler air in and circulate through the container and out through the fans at the top.
KB
Thanks for all the feedback and info on the containers all, it has given me some leads and quite a bit to think about, not too sure if we will go down that route but have to consider future plans and options etc.
Again, thanks one and all.
Just think of the positives.
If you buy a 20 footer, you could always fit wheels and a towbar in the future and hit the road in style.
You could fit it out to your dream caravan
The Phantom
Iza
you might consider this.
the containers they sell may have outlived their seaworthy life.
usually when you take something away from "salty air" it just rusts away quicker.
Yes I had one , yes it is wise to put a roof over it , I just had garden gear &'stuff' in mine,
until I had my garage built. I don't think I would have my "treasures" in one though.
that's My humble opinion though.
Another thing we found was to drop them on logs or concrete slabs in each corner angled slightly so water runs to the rear away from doors.. Helps against rust too..
More food for thought, I'm starting to go off the idea though from what's been posted so far, too many iffs and butts....
It did cross my mind that for 2nd hand containers they may have been sold for a reason, being no good for sea journeys anymore due to damage/faults etc.
Don't know if I would want one on wheels Phantom but stranger things have been converted in the past....
Have vents or exhaust fans could give entry points to pests though for storage, might be ok if it is being used as a workshop or something though.
Thanks for the feedback all.
-- Edited by Weevil on Monday 25th of May 2015 09:31:52 PM