Need opinions/suggestions

RustBeltCowgirl

An item that I am considering buying is a used 20 foot weathertight Conex container. My rationale is that I can pull everything that I have in Commercial storage units and put it in the Conex. When I decide that it’s time to relocate, most of my stuff that I want to take will already be packed and ready to go. Saves money renting storage space. That money can be saved to pay the eventual shipping fee. The Conex will then be used for storage space at my new home. No hurry to pack on this end or unpack on the destination end.

Okay, the balloon is up. Please feel free to suggest pros and cons for the idea.

Thanks.

Monek Marie

Those containers can have a lot of uses. It makes sense to me to buy one and get prepared for a move.

You can either sell it when your done or repurpose it for something else.

I have been looking for one myself to help me have a place to sort leftover barn stuff and size barn boards

RustBeltCowgirl

@Denise Grant Checking both Cleveland and Pittsburgh Craigslists, a 20 footer is running between $2,000 - 3,000.

Monek Marie

Before they were popular you could get them for free.

Once in a while you find one for $500 here.

Good luck

Torey

They are called Sea Cans in my part of the world. :) Because we have so many ports here.

One of the pros is that it can be turned into a building when you are finished with it or even a tiny home, although you may need more than one for that, depending on their size and how big you want your tiny home. But, it can also become livestock housing, a garage or a storage shed or ??????? (many things).

Even though they are supposed to be weather tight, they may not be. So I would make sure I put down some cement blocks to set it on, just to get it off the ground. Even if it is weather tight, condensation can occur, so lots of plastic bins, especially on the bottom layer.

ltwickey

Yu have a great plan on getting the Conex box. I plan on getting one and converting into a weather shelter buried in the ground!

RustBeltCowgirl

https://containerone.net/blogs/news/how-to-load-a-shipping-container-the-right-way-for-the-big-move

Here's an article about using a container to pack for a move.

vickeym

I would love to have one but they are very popular and therefor very expensive here. Plus they charge a pretty good price for hauling one for you and I live a good hour or more from the nearest city. You may way to use a silicone caulk or something on the inside seams and check well for any signs of holes or anything. I have several friends who have had them and many of them did leak.

SuperC

Yes, put blocks or railroad ties underneath it so it doesn’t sink into the ground as it settles. Turn it into a storm shelter is a good idea or a tiny house. Have fun!

LaurieLovesLearning

We have a sea can, and have had raccoons underneath. Be prepared for critters hiding out in that space. You should put the container up on ties or blocks.

It can get very hot inside in summer. This can soften Rubbermaid/plastic storage bins if you have them stacked, and melt or ruin heat sensitive items.

You are best off building a few shelves if you want to use it for storage...and organization.

We have had no issues with condensation.

The guy we bought ours from is very careful not to get any with holes.

Ours is weathertight and rodent proof...until you open the door. Make sure you have something in there to take care of those rogue pests.

I have heard of people putting them in the ground as a storm shelter. Make sure they are solid if you want to do this. Lighter sided ones have been known to collapse.

Our one big piece of advice is to install a people door.

frogvalley

Our friend, who owns a vineyard, put one near his tasting room and piled dirt around it (on top too). He uses it to store wine. It's been there for over 15 years, so I'm guessing it's fine. Good luck.

stephanie447

I don't know what a Conex is but I used a PODS container when I moved last and it's now still being stored and can be shipped if I moved again. Though I pay them a monthly fee for this.

RustBeltCowgirl

@stephanie447 A Conex is the big metal container that is used to ship overseas freight. There are several different sizes.

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

We are planning to get one ourselves. There are several "shipping" container areas near us as well with all of the freight coming in from Charleston, SC and then heading our way to be distributed. We have a couple of friends who have purchased them and are happy with them. But there are many things to consider.

*While researching for ourselves found out many things, there are ones which are used only once. And the benefit of this is you know what was stored in it, and track where it came from and what was transported, but these are usually the most expensive. And this you want to be most cautious with because you don't want to purchase anything that had caustic chemicals or other such nastiness shipped in it.

*There are some that do not have as sturdy of sides and you need to be careful because of how that type was built and what it was designed to carry.

*If you are planning on using it as a tiny house there are many factors with that to consider as well, plumbing, electricity, heat & air and of course moisture will need to be addressed. Which means framing it out to hide all of that and and then you loose space.

*There are several sizes and they can open at the ends or even along the side.

*Always look at it before you buy to insure its not rusting, leaking or has any other observations that make it look unsound to the elements.

I have a friend who is a welder and he's going to help me put in some windows possible depending on what we end up using ours for specifically.

Hopefully this will help give you some more things to consider. Just make sure you research the companies near you and their containers before you buy. Good luck.😊

JodieDownUnder

@RustBeltCowgirl we’ve had a couple in the past. Incredibly handy for storage, feed room, tiny house etc. as suggested previously, preferably up on blocks(white ants can still access them) so keep an eye out. They do get incredibly hot. Ours did not have a whirly bird vent on top but many I see these days do have one. Always check the roof on them, you don’t want any leaks or critters(rats and mice) getting in. Always check the doors shut correctly, sealed and are lockable. Great idea, all the best.