Shipping Containers Make Great Low-Cost Storage

Shipping Containers Make Great Low-Cost Storage BUILDINGS New Techniques 25-4-11 Looking for extra storage space but don't want to put up a building? Why not try used shipping containers. You've probably seen the ads in the back of farm papers. A bunch of companies sell or rent surplus containers which were originally used to ship cargo. Standard-size containers are 8 ft. wide, 8 1/2 ft. tall, and come in lengths of 20 or 40 ft. They're made from heavy-gauge steel and are said to be rain and wind proof. Some are set up with multiple compartments. Most have heavy locking mechanisms and are designed to set flat. Some companies offer refrigerated containers. One company suggests using the containers to make a building by setting up two rows of containers with an open area between them and putting a peaked roof over the center area. Other possible uses include storage for chemicals, tools and equipment, grain and feed, etc. They're easily delivered to the farm, shop, or job site, since they're designed to stack on a flat semi-trailer. Prices range from about $1,200 for a 20-ft. unit to $4,000 for a 24-ft. refrigerated unit. Delivery is extra. Here are some places to contact: À C.J. Container Sales, Charlotte Jensen, 2706 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97211 (ph 503 284-1663 or 800 574-1336. À CXPress, 5436 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, VA 23234 (ph 804-271-1200 or 800-394-2977). À Portable Building Ltd. 5995 Monterey Road, Paso Robles, Calif. 93446 (ph 805 237-2093) À Portland Container, 9449 N. Burgard Way, Portland, Ore. 97203 (ph 503 286-1767; outside Portland, 800 788-5159.) À Triton Mobile Storage (TMS), 23422 Clawiter Road, Hayward, Calif. 94545 (ph 800 447-7223; Internet: www.tmsstorage.com). À National Hardware Supply Equipment Storage Containers, 24766 Ave. 17, Madera, Calif. 93638 (ph 559-674-8781).

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