Robert G. Smits Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Thinking about buying a 40 ft container to store a couple of parts cars. Does anyone have experience using these for storage and do you need insulated them? Thanks, Bob Smits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1939_Buick Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Steel containers can get very hot inside You can buy 20ft insulated reefer containers, but insulation only slows down the heat gain/loss (not stop). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 In my experience, Bob , they are totally adequate for parts cars , and more delicate items too. I have not used them in a high humidity environment. Around here , they cost aprox $2500 - $3000 , and are , or are easily made rodent proof. Doesn't mean they will not sneak in while the box is open , or hitching a ride on contents. Do place proper rodent control inside as, a precaution. Insulation of course , is extremely beneficial if you will be providing any temperature or humidity control. I bought a 45' Great Dane freezer trailer for $600 , turn key roadworthy , from an online University of Washington surplus auction. Say Bob , as long as I have your undivided attention, I know how hard it can be to get hold of you. I left a voicemail , and email message regarding the 48 Cad engine and clutch. Haven't heard back from you , and it has been a while. - Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike6024 Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 I would think it would need to be ventilated so as not to trap humidity and accelerate rust. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Carl Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 (edited) Certainly in some cases , Mike. In arid environments probably not. Or imagine a well sealed box in a place with large swings in temperature and humidity. In this imaginary location , if the doors are only opened on cold very dry days you might be better off sealed up. We are only talking parts cars here. - Carl P.S. Just for the fun of it , here is my pup' on guard duty about 100' in from the high gate. You can see this is a very dry location. The veggies you see growing in a line across the road are irrigated by a year round creek. Not much traffic either. A car might come by 3 or 4 times an hour , if that. Bright white sides , and gleaming stainless doors and roof help to keep temps lower. Might not be a bad idea to paint a container gloss white. It WILL make a difference. Cheap A/C would be hanging another layer of ventilated shade siding 3 or 4 inches off the box top and South wall. You could get a decent artist to paint a picture of something cute on it ! - CC Edited January 29, 2018 by C Carl Add Great Dane pics & P.S. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 Refrigerated containers are vented. They do not sweat like unlined containers. I have seen an RO80 10 to 15 years after being shut in a sealed container. It was a mess. The inside was completely mouldy. The carburetor was completely choked with aluminium oxide in the venturi. All the other Al was badly corroded. It was very rusty. A beautiful, unmarked car was reduced to a parts car at best. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 I have two that I use for storage. My suggestion for best benefit would be to cut two holes about 1 ft above the ground on the sides , opposite ends towards the end and put heavy screen or other material over that hole that will vent and keep the rodents out. Then cut two about 1 ft holes in the top of the container towards the ends and put one of those turbine vents like these on each hole. https://www.lowes.com/pl/Roof-turbine-vents-Roof-vents-accessories-Ventilation-Building-supplies/4294512316. Them spray foam the ceiling and about 1 ft down from the top. Paint the outside top white and you should not have a problem. I have a friend that stores a 1912 Winton and other high end cars in a container fitted as described and he has no moisture or high temp issues. I also store a lot of parts in old semi trailers and being about 4 ft off the ground have never had any moisture issues and they do not get very hot in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert G. Smits Posted January 30, 2018 Author Share Posted January 30, 2018 Thank you to all who replied. I was actually thinking about installing an electric vent fan in the end wall. Carl, I will call you in the next couple of days. Bob Smits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 Have a good friend who has four containers in the back 40 for parts and cars. Any vent needs a match in the other end for air circulation and even a 500 cfm exhaust fan will cool one nicely even in a Florida summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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