Shipping Containers Vs. Storage Trailers: Which is Right for Your ...

Shipping Containers Vs. Storage Trailers: Which is Right for Your Business?

While ordering a Philadelphia storage container rental, you might be wondering whether a trailer is better for your company or if a container is more suited. Though the two storage options may look similar on the surface, there are many functional differences between them. The many advantages of the two can make settling on one difficult, so before you set out to buy your 20’ and 40’ size shipping containers, learn the four varying ways they can benefit your business.

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Mobility or Stationary

A significant factor in whether a storage trailer or container is best for your business depends on how often you wish to move it. If your company needs to transport products frequently, trailers are the right choice. They have wheels and axles that grant them extra mobility if you need them relocated. On the other hand, containers require a bed truck, flatbed, or another vehicle to move from place to place.

That said, if you’re looking for a stationary storage unit, then 20’ and 40’ shipping containers are your best option. Containers open up at a ground level, so there’s no need for a ramp or ladder when collecting what’s stored inside them. For this reason, they’re the best fit for a more extended stay.

How Long Storage is Needed

Another detail that will influence whether a storage trailer or container is most beneficial is how long their services are needed. For example, containers were initially designed to transport goods on ships across the ocean, so they’re built to be durable. They can handle extreme weather conditions and disasters, all while protecting the products stored inside them. 

Additionally, trailers are just as durable as storage containers. Most storage trailers were once used for over-the-road transportation of goods, meaning they’re built to withstand all sorts of inclement weather and events.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of container semi trailers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Both storage containers and trailers provide excellent long-term storage capabilities that can protect your valuables from outdoor elements.

Cost and Commitment

If your business is wondering whether to rent or purchase a 20’ or 40’ size shipping container, know that both options are comparable in price. If you decide to rent a container or trailer, both storage units can provide an ideal storage area at minimal cost to your company.

Containers require less maintenance than trailers due to their construction. All owners have to do is oil the doors, so they’re serviceable and check for leaks so water doesn’t enter during a rainstorm and damage the products inside. When using a storage trailer, a company must ensure that tires, brakes, and other components operate correctly if the unit is moved around on the premises.

Shape and Size

Lastly, the size and shape of a storage trailer and container may be a deciding factor in your choice. If you need a wider storage solution, then check our trailers. Not only will they allow your products to fit inside much more easily, but there’s enough room for your employees to use pallets inside the trailers to transport goods in and out.

While containers are not as wide as trailers, their design has a different type of benefit. Being a container does not have axles and wheels, ground-level loading and unloading can easily be accomplished with little effort.

Want more information on Fence Semi Trailer? Feel free to contact us.

Forgive the ignorance here, but I'm in the market for a trailer to make money and intermodal is something I've considered in tandem with a business that requires a non-container-chassis trailer, so I have a few questions...

First, I sometimes see containers being hauled on trailers other than a dedicated container chassis, but more often than not that isn't the case so what is the reason? Lighter? Cheaper? Specialized securements?

Secondly, what is the advantage (if any) to owning your own trailer when working intermodal as an owner/operator? Is it better just to be power only in that biz?

And third, if you own a non-chassis style trailer (step deck for example), will they load it, and what else is there to consider?

Many Thanks!

Most of the time you see a container on a flatbed is one of 2 reasons. First, they've been terminated in an out of town intermodal yard, like Container Port Group, and there are not enough being loaded. They will send them on flatbed back to a railyard to get them to a port to send them back from whence they came, or the lock box is damaged, and the box cannot be secured to a chassis. I have done both of these.

Securing a box on a flatbed takes time. Turning 4 twistlocks takes less than 1 minute.

High cubes can not go on a flatbed, 20' need to be centered, which means you are not driving straight into the box from the loading dock. 53' can never be put on a flatbed, except as permit load or in States where the statutory height is 14' 6".

Shall I go on? Chassis are made for hauling containers, and nothing else. It makes the most sense to use the best tool, right?

Using the right tool does make sense. I'm in the position where I purchased a truck and got a CDL-A about 9 months ago for personal use (moving), have now run low on funds and would like to put my truck to work but can't figure out the best place to do so.
I have a machinery buying/hauling background and equipment, so I felt that I'd get a business going doing that with the purchase of a specialty hydraulic beavertail or sliding axle tilt, but since those are considerably more money than some other types of trailers, I've been fishing for other types of work I could do with one while the business has time to become self supporting.

I've seen vid's of sliding axle tilts winching containers on them and it seems like there's no reason they couldn't be craned on either...which led me to wonder if intermodal might be a secondary use for such a trailer (I already bored the guys in Owner Operator to death asking if one could be used for flatbed loads).

I guess I'm just looking for work that an equipment trailer can do that i don't have to hustle for (and by that I mean advertise and wait by the for a call for).

I live in an area where there is intermodal activity (Portland, OR), so I thought I'd ask.

I do see the point of the chassis. I kinda suspected there was some quick way to secure a container to it and other advantages, but I didn't know if that would completely negate the use of some other kind of trailer even if less convenient, nor if there were any perks to be had for bringing your own trailer at all?

That's a solid answer... thanks.

In my opinion, not buying the trailer I'm talking about isn't an option, but the money involved dictates that I better be able to make the payments... which leads me to trying to find other types of work it could do at first.

I would love to add container to ground service to my business plan, but that's still a wait by the for the call deal vs me being able to go online and find loads, or wait in line for guaranteed work at a port.

Sounds like there isn't really any crossover use to the intermodal side though and I thank you.

Most ports are getting away from providing free chassis. Motor carriers rent them, pier diem, from the pier pools -or- lease a number of them direct from a supplier at a drastically cheaper long term rate.

Our latest are spread axle multiple configuration chassis that can do a 20 w/ the tandem slid out the back to meet the bridge formula -or- be slid up to dock a 20. then there is another position for a 40 and one more for a 45 AND in the 40' position have a stand up double pin that allows you to move two empty 20's...something we did w/ tank containers where we popped them onto a yard chassis for the cleaning rack and then doubled them up to return the cleaned tanks to the port...