Considerations When Purchasing a Car Storage Container

Storage containers offer exceptional convenience for storage purposes. They serve as an ideal storage facility for businesses seeking to store inventory and essential supplies. Homeowners can utilize them as storage spaces to accommodate excess belongings when their attics and basements reach capacity. Additionally, shipping containers prove beneficial for drivers looking for vehicle storage units.

Yes! You read that right. Converting a shipping container into an outdoor car storage is a creative and practical option. It provides an excellent solution for individuals with extra vehicles that cannot fit in their indoor car storage. Instead of leaving your additional vehicles exposed to the elements and the risk of vehicle theft in outdoor parking, storing them in a shipping container offers a secure and protected covered parking space.

If you’re considering utilizing a shipping container for vehicle storage options, this straightforward blog is a must-read. It will provide valuable information on how to buy a shipping container with the ideal storage unit size and grade to meet your specific covered car storage requirements.

What Shipping Container Condition Should You Get?

New One Trip Shipping Container

One-trip shipping containers are the latest shipping containers in the market. They are used once for shipping goods from China and then sold. Despite undergoing a 75-90 day ocean journey and heavy handling, they generally remain in great condition with some dents, dings, and rust.

Forklifts during transport may cause faint scratches on the container’s floor, but these should be minimal and expected. These new containers are typically painted in solid tones like tan, gray, or blue without any shipping line markings. However, they still display important information such as capacity, dimensions, and container numbers.

Known as IICL or Grade A containers, they offer exceptional quality and reliability for long-term vehicle storage.

Used Shipping Container

When prioritizing functionality over appearance, used shipping containers offer a cheap car storage option. These containers have previously been used for cargo transportation and may exhibit signs of wear, such as dents and rust. Despite this, they are highly durable and can last for many years. Typically sourced from global shipping services, these containers are usually around 8-15 years old.

Used shipping containers are classified into different grades:

Cargo-worthy shipping containers undergo thorough inspections and are approved for international transport by air, rail, or road. They may have minor aesthetic damage, such as varying original paint, old markings from previous shipments, rust patches, and dents. For containers intended for export, they must pass a detailed survey and receive a valid CSC inspection sticker.
Wind and Water Tight shipping containers are reliable shipping vessels guaranteed not to leak. However, you can expect to see signs of wear on the exterior, such as rusty surfaces, original paint, dents, or abrasions from their previous use in rough transportation services.
As-Is storage containers are typically the oldest grade. After a thorough inspection, it is determined that these containers have sustained severe damage, making repair costs to ensure wind and water-tightness impractical.

These containers may have holes in the structure, broken flooring, and other concerns on both the internal and external surfaces. We generally advise against purchasing these containers unless they will be used for purposes where structural soundness or external appearance is not crucial, such as storing non-rusting building materials, automobile parts, or tools where moisture or rodent issues are not significant factors.

Refurbished Shipping Container

Refurbished Shipping Containers are previously used Wind and Water Tight (WWT) containers that have undergone a process of cleaning, priming, and fresh painting to give them a new lease on life. Through refurbishment, these containers are able to extend their lifespan and continue to be productive for many more years.

Storage Size Guide for Choosing the Right Shipping Container Size

20 Feet Shipping Container

19 ft long and 8 ft wide

20ft shipping container is perfect for storing standard or small-sized classic cars like compact cars or motorcycles. Its standardized design makes loading and unloading easy while providing ample space for car cover and ensuring the car in the storage unit is securely protected.

40 Feet Shipping Container

40 ft long and 8 ft wide

A 40ft shipping container is an excellent choice for larger vehicles like pickup trucks or vans. It is also a convenient RV storage if you need to store multiple cars simultaneously.

40 Feet High Cube Shipping Container

Occupying the same area as two individual parking spaces placed end to end, 40ft high cube shipping containers provide a 12% increase in capacity compared to standard containers.

This container is one foot taller than a standard shipping container.

Find Car Storage Near Me with On-Site Storage Solutions

At On-Site Storage Solutions, we understand the importance of finding the right storage container for your car. That’s why we offer a diverse range of containers that are tailored to meet your specific requirements. Our commitment is to provide these containers at highly competitive prices in the market, ensuring that you get the best value for your money.

If you’re unsure about which container type is the best match for your needs, preferences, and budget, our team of experts is ready to assist you. Simply contact our customer service at (888) 405-8772, and we’ll guide you in finding the perfect container that suits your unique needs.