20ft Used Storage Container – Wind and Watertight

Who a Used 20ft Steel Shipping Container Actually Suits

The 20-foot footprint is where most first-time buyers land, and for good reason. It fits on a standard truck bed, tucks into a driveway, a parking lot corner, or a back paddock, and holds roughly the contents of a two-car garage. That combination makes it the default choice for small contractors, hobby farmers, and homeowners emptying a garage, without committing to the length and access requirements of a 40-footer.

As a used cargo-worthy container, this unit has already survived ocean service, which is precisely why it makes such dependable ground-level storage. You get the structural strength of a freshly built box at a noticeably lower price, and the wear it carries is cosmetic rather than functional — scuffed paint and surface oxidation rather than anything that lets weather in.

Specifications at a Glance

• Condition grade: Cargo-worthy used — sound structure, cosmetic wear expected
• External dimensions: 20' × 8' × 8'6"
• Internal dimensions (approx.): 19'4" × 7'8" × 7'10"
• Door opening: 7'8" wide × 7'6" high
• Interior volume: roughly 1,170 cubic feet
• Tare weight: approximately 4,850 lb
• Delivery: flat $500 to all 50 states, tax-inclusive pricing

Jobsite Lockup, Farm Store, and Household Overflow

Twenty feet is enough capacity for most jobs and small enough to place almost anywhere.

• On-site tool and material lockup at active job sites
• Equipment and feed storage on farms and smallholdings
• Retail or restaurant inventory overflow behind the building
• Long-term household storage during a move or renovation
• A secure base shell for a future workshop conversion

Placement, Access, and Choosing Your Grade

A 20-foot drop is the easiest full-size container delivery there is, but it still needs room: roughly 60 feet of straight approach for a tilt-bed truck and about 15 feet of overhead clearance. Put the doors where you will actually use them, and leave the swing arc clear — cargo doors need several feet in front of the unit to open fully. Set the box on four level bearing points rather than bare soil that will settle. Shipping is a flat $500 to all 50 states, quoted by route and scheduled once your order is confirmed. Every dimension and weight figure is tabulated on our specifications reference tables, and grade differences are explained in the used container buying guide. See more of this size in the 20ft container selection, browse the used container inventory, or compare the 20ft storage pod listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 20ft container hold?

About 1,170 cubic feet, which most owners find comparable to a two-car garage packed properly. Furniture from a small house, a workshop's worth of tools, or several pallet positions all fit comfortably. Dense material such as tile or aggregate will reach a sensible weight limit long before the space runs out.

Will cargo doors open in a tight spot?

They need clearance. Standard cargo doors swing outward, so plan on several feet of clear ground in front of the doorway before the container is set down. If your placement makes that impossible, position the unit with the door end facing the open side of the site, or consider a roll-up door model instead.

Is a used container secure enough for tools?

Corrugated steel and a locking bar arrangement make a container one of the tougher storage options at ground level. Most owners add a lock box, which shields the padlock from bolt cutters, and site the container so the doors face a wall or fence. Combine that with lighting for a sensible deterrent.