Storage Container Rental Guide

Mobile Storage containers have become a very popular means of storing your contents. Containers are now available in all major metropolitan areas throughout the nation. Shipping containers as storage units have changed the storage industry, most people prefer the convince of mobile storage vs standard mini storage. Container Alliance has formed a network of small businesses that are familiar with your needs. This guide is designed to help you become informed about container uses common questions and problems.

This rental guide serves to help you get informed about renting or leasing mobile shipping and storage containers. Renting or leasing is a great cost effective way of gaining access to a portable storage container without spending thousands of dollars up front. If you are not sure how your newborns or municipality are going to react to your storage container, we would strongly recommend renting rather then purchasing a container.

Why choose a shipping container as a storage container?

ISO (International Standards Organization) shipping containers are designed for ocean freight shipping. Ocean freight containers are engineered to withstand heavy loads and vigorous marine environment. Shipping containers are excellent for storage purpose because they are over engineered for ocean freight shipping. Storage / Shipping containers are also available with a plentiful supply at a fraction of the price that is typically associated with engineering and building something as strong and dependable as a typical shipping / storage container.

Storage containers are constructed with 12- or 14-gauge corrugated steel sides. Container frames are made of minimal 6-8-gauge steel. Containers have approximately 1" hard wood floors that are treated. Standard containers come equipped with a cargo door. Cargo doors are excellent because they seal tight from rodents and the elements. They also give you the ability to open the entire end of the container and load very large items. Roll up doors are convenient because they are light weight and easy to open. This confidence comes with obvious downsides. Roll up doors are not as secure and are not 100% water tight. They are typically also not rodent proof. Ask the alliance partner company in your area about door options and specifications.

How much?

Dry portable storage containers typically range in "rental costs" from around $50 per month to $150 per month. Dry containers are by far the most popular and abundant and therefore the cheapest.

Modified from containers to be used as modular offices are also very popular and range in "rental costs" from $125-$500 per month depending on the size and options selected.

You can also expect to pay "delivery / pickup" charges. It is very common that the Container Alliance member you find in your area will charge much less for delivery on a rental container. This is due to the fact that container companies have excepted loosing money on deliveries with the intention to gain it back through rental fees over an extended period of time. If you plan to keep the container for a long time, and are willing to sign and extended contract, mention this to the Container Alliance partner because they may want to offer you a delivery discount knowing that they will not have to move or re-rent this unit for the amount of time specified in your contract.

An "insurance" or "damage waiver" fees often apply to the rental as well. These fees are a great way to extend the Partners insurance benefits to the customer. These insurance fees are designed such that you do not have to worry about typically nonsingular damage to your rental container while you have it, graffiti etc. If you see or hear your alliance partner mention insurance fees do not be alarmed or discouraged, these fees save you the hassle of making sure your home or business owners insurance is covering the container you are or plan to rent.

Term: Take a look at the rental "term" Are you renting for a "month" "28 day" or "30 day term" Keep in mind that 395 days per year / 28 days = 13 bills per year. The Container Alliance partner want to make sure that you are aware and understand the term they are offering you and make sure you understand what other companies are offering as well.

Typical dimensions

Typical weights / capacity

Most small businesses, contractors and residential users with space concern choose 20' portable storage containers. 20' containers take up less space and do not require as much room for delivery as the 40' portable storage containers.

Besides the typical sizes that are designed for the shipping industry, companies often offer containers in other lengths, These containers are typically cut down to make other sizes in length. These often come in sizes as small as 10' and range up to 45', 48' or 53'. The larger sized containers 40' 45' 48' and 53' are also often available as "high cubes". High cube containers are 9'6" high with a much larger total storage capacity.

On Site Container Delivery and Installation

It is very important to confirm that it is possible for a Container Alliance partner to deliver a container to your location. Typically your supplier will deliver the container in a "tilt bed" roll-off style truck or trailer. The smaller trucks that typically deliver 10' and 20' units resemble medium sized flat-bed tow trucks. These trucks have fixed axles and vary in terms of maneuverability but as a general rule of thumb these trucks typically require 60 ft. in a straight line to back, or pull into the area you need the container. After the truck pulls into the location of desire, the driver will then lift the front end of the bed and pull straight forward until the container slides off the truck and onto the ground. The NPSA (National Portable Storage Association) has produced a great video that displays the unloading of an 20' portable storage container on a jobsite. Click here to watch the video.

DELIVERY QUESTIONS

The delivery of a storage container is normally done with a semi tractor-trailer that is a large and long piece of equipment. Furthermore the trailer that carries the container tilts so the container slides off the bed of the trailer. Here is a list of things to consider before you agree to have a container delivered to your site.

FIRM SURFACE:

Because the tractor and trailer weigh in excess of 30,000 lb. most drivers will not drive off of a road or paved surface. In considering the resting location for a container, if your location is any distance from a well-packed road or driveway, it is best to discuss this with the trucking company delivering the container prior to scheduling the delivery. Issues such as slope, amount of moisture in the ground and driver experience all need to be considered before any off road delivery is attempted.

SURFACE UNDER THE CONTAINER:

Containers are designed to be supported at each of the 4 corners. Supports or piers at the mid length of a 40 foot container will be of no benefit in normal applications. The ends can be supported with a concrete footing, railroad ties, asphalt or a bed of gravel. Although it is possible to land the container directly on the ground with no support, the best site is one that provides suitable stability to keep the container level with adequate drainage. Furthermore, an uneven site can cause the doors to bind (see ‘Door Alignment’ below)

TURNING SPACE:

Because the container slides off the back of the trailer, you will need more than 80 feet of space in front of the location where the container is to be landed. Some delivery companies operate a 2 axle bobtail that, for delivery of a 20' container, will require 40 feet of turn space.

OVERHEAD CLEARENCE:

Because the container will be delivered on a slide off trailer make sure you have at lease 14 feet of overhead clearance on the road to the delivery site and 20 feet of overhead clearance at the location where the truck will tilt the container to slide it off. This means all trees and overhead wires must be out of the way!

DOOR ALIGNMENT:

Occasionally after a container is delivered the doors may be difficult to close. Because the container weights 5,000 lb. or more there will be some settling and it is possible that the doors will be difficult to operate. If this occurs the container can be straightened by lifting the low or settled corner and inserting some material that will re-support the corner and return the door to proper alignment. Lifting of the subsided corner can be done with a simple hydraulic jack, ‘Johnson Bar’ or small forklift.

back to top