Ok so I'm gonna have to remodel the house and need a place to store our things. I'm looking at either a 40' shipping container, or maybe a truck box or.....? I was even thinknig of trying to find a bare mobile home frame to set the box on so it is movable around the yard. Or maybe even welding some "I" beam under a shipping container to bolt some trailer axels too. These will not be used on the street. Just to keep what ever I use slightly movable. So any one have any good ideas on where to get one in the Tampa, FL area? I'm searching, but insider advice never hurts Also I need a water tight style being how FL never rains! Thanks!

 

I dont know that I'd want to use one of these to store household goods in.
We use one here to store extra equipment in, its water-tight, but gets a lot of condensation in it......we use a Conex shipping container.

 

You aren't going to find any trailer axles that will hold that kind of weight of a 40' Sea container. I agree about the condensation inside them as I have one at work that has steel walls and we have the same problem. I would just try to find a 24'-26' enclosed car hauler. It will cost more but will fit your needs better.

 

I have read about the condesation also. One company says to use wood spacers to rasie the container off the ground. Supposed to help the condensation a bit. Reason I'm aiming towards a container is mainly price. What about getting an old truck box? I've seen those as well.

 

Have you looked into these?

http://www.pods.com/

 

If you can find an old truck box it would probably work fine but by the time you get axles put on it to move it around you could have just gotten a trailer. Most boxes that have been pulled off of a chassis were pulled for a reason (Leaks!).
PODS are great but they are for rent, not for sale. They aren't the greatest quality either....

 

I had good luck with the Connex's, just install an RV roof vent in the top and cut a 4"X4" hole down low on the side and cover it with screening to keep the varmints out. This keeps air flow through it. But keep in mind the dry weight on a 20 foot Connex is 5400 pounds. Not exactly portable without the right equipment. they can be had on Ebay for $1500 each, not delivered.

 

could he run an extension cord & a dehumidifier in it?

borrow a 24 ft car hauler for a while, maybe go in with a buddy & buy one.
that's the best tool in the world. great for hauling lawnmowers.

$5k trailer = nice dry $700 lawnmower.
plus, you look cool when you ride it in & out (wear a NASCAR hat)

 

we use 53' sea containers at work for storage, some of which is files and havent ever had a problem w/ leaks. We do have one end resting on a railroad tie, not sure if that is related to the condensation problem or not but water damage has never been a problem.

 

How about leasing a 53' semi trailer? somewhat moveable if you need it moved.... put a dolly on the front or have someone come by with a tractor and move it....

 

buy a 27' pup and a dolly and if you rigged up some kind of braking system you could probably even pull it behind your truck if you were careful of the DOT and all them

 

only trouble with the 53 trailer idea is entry height, thats where the containers win hands down.definately pitch the trialer towars the doors end, humidifier idea would work great, just run a drain hose out of the catch so you never have to empty it. you can make a lot of room in them going vertical, shelving can make or break your storage/ organization ability.

 

Cool. If I ever need to move it, it will be empty first. If I remember the 40' are about 8K lbs? After the house is remodeled and dont need the storage, it will be turned into a shop. I found a couple in my area, just need to borrow a gooseneck trailer. and some creative way to unload it. It will be by the house so I could easily run an extension cord to i and a dehumidifier.