When it comes to prepping, storage is an important consideration. What’s the use of getting your preps in order and having no way to protect them long-term.
Conex units that are used for shipping goods around the world are tough, durable and affordable. You can buy them locally almost anywhere that you live, and most companies have delivery available.
Weather Resistant
Conex units are extremely weather resistant and were designed to withstand multiple cross oceanic voyages on the decks of ships. You may find ones to purchase in all different conditions. A little rust is nothing a little wire brush and primer and paint can’t take care of.
Sturdy
These units were made to be stacked on top of each other while loaded with cargo. But they do have their limits. Most of the vertical strength is built into the corners. When stacking make sure you stack them using the ends.
People are using them as structures both above and below ground. If doing this, please ensure that you are bracing and supporting the containers for the proper load you are putting on them. I would personally hire a professional such as a structural engineer to design your supporting structure.
Affordable
As mentioned early you can find companies close by almost anywhere you live that supply these containers.
Take your time and shop around. These places are not always listed on the internet.
I check out forums in the area I’m looking to find these containers. Another good way is to drive around shipping areas at large cities. If your by the coast there are almost always sales yards for conex containers close to the ports, and if inland try large trucking hubs, or inland ports.
Craigslist and other online classifieds are a great resource to finding these companies. I’ve seen them selling from 1000 dollars to 3000 depending on condition and size.
Easy to Move
Since the containers are made to be loaded on semi trucks they are fairly easy to have moved if you’re relocating. There are quite a few trucking companies that have trailers that can pick the container directly off the ground without the need of a crane or loader.
This makes moving them fairly affordable since you are only paying mileage and transport fees, keeping a crane or other large equipment out of the equation.
Plentiful and Diverse
Conex containers are everywhere. They’re easy to find and purchase. I’ve seen them for sale sitting on the side of the road driving around and the shipping industry casts multitudes aside every day.
And they can be used for everything from storae, to building homes, apartment complex, and in Mexico City they’ve built an entire upscale community using only conex containers as the main structures! I’ve even seen them used as buried underground bunkers when supported properly.
Caution and Warning
It has come to my attention that many people have tried using conex containers in many diverse manners without properly supporting the structures. If you don’t have the experience please find a structural engineer to design support structures when building on top of, burying, or stacking conex containers across the middle sections.
Also if you plan to store consumable goods, or use the conex containers as living, or even temporary shelter you should pull out the wood flooring and replace it with non-treated wood. Often these containers that are made overseas contain very high levels of pesticides that can cause cancer and other illnesses.
Some of these pesticides have even been outlawed in the US. There is no real way to know what the wood in your conex unit could have been treated with so it’s better off safe than sorry.
Hop on over to Facebook page www.Facebook.com/PrepCabin and let us know if you’ve seen a unique use for conex containers! We’d love to see more inventive uses for this great resource.