5 Practical Accessories for Your Shipping Container
Nowadays, shipping containers are becoming an increasingly popular storage option. More people are making the wise choice to leverage the sturdy build and weatherproof qualities of these containers to protect their valued belongings of all types and sizes.
However, if you truly want to get the most out of your shipping container and make it optimal for storage, one of the best ways to do so is by adding various accessories.
Whether you own a shipping container or you are renting one on a long- or short-term basis, adding the right accessories can increase the functionality and efficiency of your unit, transforming it from a good storage solution to an excellent one.
While there are many accessories that you could add to certain components of your shipping container, the accessories that make the most sense for you will depend on a number of different factors specific to your unique storage situation.
Although accessories can certainly improve the effectiveness of a shipping container, they do tend to take up space. This is why you should not feel compelled to add accessories you do not actually require.
Therefore, it is essential to consider your specific storage needs as you evaluate the accessory options available and consider the value each accessory may bring to your unit.
Practical Accessories for Your Shipping Container
Although the addition of accessories may not always be the first thing people consider upon purchasing or renting a shipping container, there are several ways such items can modify a unit in one way or another.
While certain accessories may only be needed in particular circumstances, others are generally more practical and are thus commonly used. The following are some of the most practical accessories for your shipping container:
1. A padlock and lockbox
A top priority when you store your belongings in a shipping container will likely be their security. Therefore, one of the first and most important accessories you should get is a padlock.
A padlock can be used directly on your container’s door locking handles and comes with keys to access the unit whenever needed. To increase the security of your container, another great accessory is a lockbox. This is a bolt-on thick metal casing that will tightly wrap around the lock.
A lockbox will minimize access to the lock so that nobody can break into your shipping container, even with bolt cutters or similar tools. In addition, the lockbox will help keep your lock dry so that it does not rust and remains fully functional all year round.
2. Lifting jacks
If your shipping container is going to remain fixed in one place, you should place its corners on either cinder blocks or railroad ties to keep it level and off the ground. In order to lift it up onto this blocking, you will need to use a jack. However, it is vital to use a jack that is specifically meant for lifting shipping containers, as certain jacks may not be able to handle the container’s weight.
For instance, it is best to avoid using HI-LIFT jacks to lift your unit, as they have been known to fail under the weight of shipping containers and are thus unsafe for this application.
3. Twist locks
If you need to secure your shipping container to a foundation, another key accessory is ground plates with twist locks, as they will make it easy to do this quickly and effectively.
All you have to do is bolt the ground plates into the concrete and carefully lower the container until the corner castings line up with the twist locks. Then, pull the levers on the twist locks to secure your container in place.
If your intention is to stack shipping containers on top of each other, you can also use twist locks to secure them to each other.
4. Bridge fittings
If you have multiple shipping containers stored side by side rather than on top of one another, you can use bridge fittings instead to secure them together. In doing so, you can prevent them from toppling over in case of an earthquake or strong winds.
5. Shelving units
Shipping containers are perfect for storing items of all kinds and sizes, but if you want to keep your container well-organized, the key is to install shelving units. Not only will shelves keep items off the floor, minimizing moisture damage, but they will also make it easier to find things whenever needed.
Shelving units will also make it simpler to access items as needed, since you will not have to stack things on top of each other to maximize your use of the space.
If you believe your container will be transported from place to place, you can ensure that your shelves never move by attaching the Unistrut to the walls and securing the shelves to this.
Why Sigma Container Corporation Is the Best Place to Get Quality Shipping Containers for Sale
Before you can start using all the practical accessories mentioned above, you need to find a high-quality shipping container to meet your needs. If you are searching for shipping containers for sale, look no further than Sigma Container Corporation. We have both new and used containers that come in various sizes and types, including 20-foot, 40-foot, and 40-foot high cube options.
Whether you need to store furniture, landscaping equipment, construction tools, restaurant supplies, decorations, or boxes of documents, our shipping containers are an ideal storage solution and will help keep your things secure and protected from the elements.
All our containers are wind and watertight, with working doors and solid floorboards. We always review the condition of our containers before sending them to our valued customers to ensure everything is okay.
We even offer a 1-year warranty on all of our containers. This guarantees that they will remain wind and watertight under reasonable use conditions within this period, providing you with additional peace of mind. When you order a shipping container from us, all you have to do is let us know where you want it, and we will deliver it directly to you with our tilt-and-load trucks.
For more information about our shipping containers for sale, or to learn more about the types of shipping containers we carry in stock, call Sigma Container Corporation at 855-340-3342 or contact us here.