I am thinking about getting a 40’ shipping container for my hunting property for storage. I dont know the first thing about these. How do i go about setting them. I wouldnt think that one would set them directly on the ground?? Do they set them on any type of pavers/block?

Railroad ties or cement blocks check out the home improvement stores I know Menards carries a solid 8x8x16 cement block that works great a lot depends on the soil makeup. A gravel base is handy Id avoid setting it right on the ground you might get moisture issues coming through the wooden floor.

Look at the support beams on the bottom side they run the short way one end of mine has a metal reinforced end VS the plywood flooring not sure if they are all like that so look it over and ask questions before you buy. My ground has a drop off because I’m on a lake the land slopes from years of erosion. In my 40 foot span the drop is 2 feet so a lot of gravel has been brought in and I need more to level the area.

I’ll get some pics up later today.

make sure the road going to your property can handle a semi.

Railroad ties.
Also, you might want to consider 20 footers, much more convenient than 40's.

Level it, keep it off the ground at least 6". I bought an 8 ft. > 4 x 6 treated post. Cut it in 4 > 2 ft lengths. Set 1 > 2 ft section on each corner. Mine is a 20-footer.

Setting your unit on a gravel base will keep the moisture off of the underside floor and the rise off the ground will give you air flow to stop condensation buildup. Never a good idea to set any unit on the bare ground.

My 40 footer is set on concrete block pillars. One end is just above ground level on double 4" solid blocks. The grade drops about 3' to the other end so 8" block pillars are used to get it level and solid support. It may be overkill, but I have 4 pillars on each side. Each pillar is 2 blocks wide, alternating each layer with a 2" x 8" wood cap on top. Solid support.

Mine is in the shade much of the day but it still gets hot inside in the summer. Just something else to keep in mind depending on what you plan to store in it.

Front on RR Timbers a few planks for ramps I have longer planks for it a guy could gravel a ramp also depending on the need.


Back blocked up on fresh gravel fill it will need to settle before the final blocking gets done.


Lots of talk of condensation and heat issues in the containers I have not had that problem yet lots of expensive things they will sell you like solar fans, whirlybirds, $400 vents cheaper options are out there at the local home improvement stores that should work for less money.

Keep in mind the more doors you have the better the access but you lose storage space the less doors you have the more storage but less access to the items you will have. They come in one door on the end, one door at both ends and a verity of side opening doors.

YouTube has a ton of info on about every aspect of what you can do with a container. I’m adding an escape vent barred from the inside for escape if a door slams and locks.

I don't have any, but I have friends that do...they say get a 1 tripper with a composite floor instead of wood...40' they got was $7k

I have a 40 , sitting directly on gravel . Not an issue as I live in a dry climate and I'll be dead before it ever matters anyway . Pretty common in these parts . Twenty footers are almost the cost of a 40 here .


If you can swing it , get the 9' high unit , I wouldn't want an 8' high unit after owning this one

Spray the inside walls and ceiling white before you put one thing in there or you'll never do it later , the light reflection advantage is huge .I put a solar powered motion light from Costco towards the back and works great .


I don't have a moisture issue but I did vent it on the front and the back with metal Gable end vents from home Depot .

I painted the exterior of mine to blend with the surroundings and to cover the decals . Also prepped some minor surface rust spots before I painted .it's a dark brown and heats up more than if I had painted it a lighter color or preferably white but I didn't want it to stick out like a sore thumb .

Two things on my list to add is a man door and to coat the roof with a siliconized roof coating

Our township had banned them.

They are working on a plan to tax them here but since they are not on a permanent foundation they don’t qualify for taxation under the current standards. I’m sure they will get creative and find ways to get that tax money in their pockets one way or another.

what he did,,,