All About Shipping Containers

Can a storage trailer meet your needs? Aaron Supreme helps answer your shipping container questions. Contact Aaron Supreme to learn more!

From security and control to cost savings and easy access, storage trailers bring many benefits to the average user. Storage trailers act as accessible loading docks featuring either roll-up or swing doors. Some have pallet jacks or forklifts to make access easier. Usually made out of aluminum or steel, storage trailers are durable, strong, and built to last. They can even put up with the harsh elements during transport as well as when sitting in place.

You can do a lot with your storage trailer. You can store your lawn care equipment in it, your pool equipment, cargo, seasonal products…you name it, you can store it. Businesses in particular can reduce their operating costs with affordable rented storage trailers on or off site.

Here are some more benefits of using storage trailers for business purposes in particular:

1. Onsite Storage

You can store your necessary and immediate items onsite, whether that’s office supplies, landscaping equipment, or roofing supplies. This allows you to ensure your expensive items are kept safe on the property and away from the watchful eyes of burglars. And by having those items on site, you can get easier access to it when needed rather than having to haul your equipment from a storage unit to your job site every day.

2. Cost Savings

The monthly rental costs to maintain an offsite storage unit are very high. It’s more affordable to rent a storage trailer, or even buy it outright if you have long-term needs and the extra capital for the investment. This will save you money over the long haul. A storage trailer can also be moved as needed, as opposed to an offsite storage unit where you would have to spend money on gas and transportation to get back and forth.

3. Easier Access

Storage trailers are easier to access because they are stand-alone units as opposed to large facilities with many stairs, floors and units to navigate. Simply walk right up to your storage trailer, open the door and retrieve your items.

4. Wind and Watertight Features

Waterproof storage is key when you want to be sure you’re safeguarding your items against inclement weather. To that end, storage trailers are wind and watertight, giving you peace of mind.

5. Security and Control

When you have a storage trailer onsite, it’s much easier to manage and secure all of your equipment. Plus, you hold control over operation of the unit and its placement, without fretting over limitations and restrictions. There are many security feature add-ons you can incorporate, such as locks, cameras, and CCTV systems.

How We Help

As a local leaded in storage trailers of all shapes and sizes, Aaron Supreme will work with you as a business owner no matter what industry you’re in to ensure your specific needs are met.

Our offerings include:

• Drive-in with Fork Lift
• High Security
• Dock-level Access
• Instant Mobile Warehouse
• Sizes between 26′ and 45′

Frequently Asked Questions About Storage Trailers

How many boxes can a 5×8 trailer hold?

The number of boxes a 5×8 trailer can hold depends on the size and shape of the boxes. On average, for standard medium-sized moving boxes (18″x14″x12″), a 5×8 trailer can hold approximately 160-180 boxes. However, optimal packing and the use of various box sizes can change this number.

Are enclosed trailers good for storage?

Yes, enclosed trailers are excellent for storage. They offer protection from the elements, can be locked for security, and provide a mobile storage solution. Ventilation is crucial if your trailer will be closed for extended periods to prevent condensation and mold.

How much does a 5×8 trailer weigh?

The weight of a 5×8 trailer varies by its construction material and design. On average, an empty 5×8 utility trailer weighs between 900 to 1,200 pounds. Enclosed trailers, due to the additional material, often weigh more.

What are the top brands of enclosed trailers?

Several reputable brands manufacture enclosed trailers. Always research specific needs and read reviews before making a purchase.

What is the best time of year to buy an enclosed trailer?

The best time to buy an enclosed trailer is often during off-peak seasons—typically late fall and winter. Demand often decreases during these times, and dealers might offer discounts to move inventory.

What is the life expectancy of an enclosed trailer?

The life expectancy of an enclosed trailer largely depends on its build quality, usage, and maintenance. On average, with regular care and moderate use, an enclosed trailer can last between 10 to 20 years.

High-quality trailers and those kept in optimal conditions can exceed this range. Regular inspections and preventative maintenance are key to maximizing their lifespan.

Contact Aaron Supreme

From construction sites and warehouses to real estate development sites and industrial plants, we can connect you with the right storage trailer for your needs. To learn more, contact us at 800-243-0403.

Over half a million storage containers are stranded on cargo ships while hundreds of storage container ships are at a standstill at sea. The time it takes to unload the cargo containers has nearly doubled. This is causing a world-wide shipping container shortage.

But why?

It’s hard to give a concrete answer to the shipping container shortage. There’s a few factors, including decision making and consumer behaviors, that have been made within the industry and global trade market; however, there’s one common denominator that has imposed an unprecedented fracture to global trade, shipping lines, and the storage container industry.

Either way, we’re seeing an unnerving ripple effect of product shortages and price hikes. It’s not just the ports and cargo ships either. They’re just in the spotlight. The entire global trade market and container shipping industry is being affected. This includes the trucking industry and railroad systems too.  

How the Storage Container Shortage Started

According to multiple reports, the reason for the storage container shortage stems mainly from the COVID19 pandemic. As the deadly coronavirus raged around the world dwindling and terrorizing populations, country after country took extreme measures:

• Lockdowns took effect.
• Productions shut down.
• Restrictions were put in place.
• Regulations mandated.

When the lockdowns took effect, nothing was allowed to go in or out of countries. Cargo ships and storage containers had to stay put. This became a problem when countries started to open, like China, but others still remained closed, like America.

Meanwhile, a workforce dilemma soon emerged. Factories shut down. Workers were falling ill – sometimes fatally – from the coronavirus. Truckers were in short supply. As these problems persisted, production diminished. Meanwhile, cargo containers from China, Italy, Spain, and others that were reopening were shipped out to countries that were still closed. This caused a pile up. In turn, cargo ships tried to reroute to other ports causing even more of a disarray.

The Impact of the Storage Container Shortage

While a health crisis was underway, a future economic hurdle was brewing with the shipping industry at the forefront. Now, with the shipping crisis in full mode, it’s created a widespread impact in multiple ways including:

• Increased prices
• Shortage of goods
• Rising freight rates
• Containers being sent back empty
• Businesses unable to ship their products

While the world continues to deal with the COVID crisis, it’s hard to imagine the shipping container industry getting back to smooth sailing any time soon.

The Future of the Storage Container Industry

Unfortunately, industry leaders aren’t forecasting an end until late 2022. However, some companies have been making adjustments to better handle the situation. Shipping company Hapag-Lloyd turns the fridge component off in their reefer containers so they can use it for dry goods. It’s made a positive impact but not enough to turn the storage container shortage around. It’s going to be a slow and steady process. Government officials are trying to combat COVID19, workers are returning to work, and more storage containers are being made.

Going forward, industry leaders – including those in trucking and rail – see a need for bigger changes to be made so that this never happens again. Some of those changes include more transparency, better communication, and advanced container booking systems. 

About Aaron Supreme Commercial & Home Storage Containers

Aaron Supreme is a dominant supplier of storage containers for commercial and residential uses. We sell and rent new and used shipping containers in a variety of sizes. Need it modified or repaired? We do that too! Call us to see what’s available and how we can help you with your storage needs: 1-800-243-0403.

If you have recently purchased a storage container, you may wonder if you should set it on a foundation. In a nutshell, yes, you should. That’s because the ground tends to moves a bit over time, rising, sliding and even sinking. This is why you need a stable foundation to keep the home or other structure on level footing – just like you would a traditional new construction house.

Whether you require a pier foundation or a pile foundation, your shipping container home needs a strong foundation which will act as a solid platform. It doesn’t matter what the use will be; if you fail to secure the foundation properly at this time, the container could separate or split later on. Your container will then become unsafe or unstable, which can compromise your safety as well as the contents of the unit.

You also need to consider a uniform foundation due to the fact that the ground underneath the container is made up of many materials, such as clay and hard rock. Inconsistencies can result, leading to doors that are difficult if not impossible to open.

When you have a solid foundation, you are assured of proper distribution of weight, while at the same time preventing moisture and corrosion infiltration.

Wondering if there are times when you don’t need a foundation? You don’t need one when the shipping container location is only temporary and you plan to move it in a matter of weeks or months. This often applies to construction companies who tend to move from site to site often.

What Kinds of Foundations Are There?

You can choose from a variety of foundation types, such as:

• Concrete Slab: The most common and the easiest, pouring a concrete slab is not only convenient, it’s cost effective as well and not as labor intensive as other options. Concrete also withstands the elements, so if you can, go with professional concrete pouring.
• Concrete Footings: These are positioned at various intervals to give more support for the container, with brackets holding cross beams or crosses.
• Pile Foundations: These are circular metal or wood beams that are placed into the earth around sand or water until bedrock is reached. They are most common at marinas, and can provide support for the construction of a deck-like structure to support the weight of a container on top.  

Regardless of the foundation type you decide on, the purpose is to keep it stable. You will get a longer long life span from the unit, giving you peace of mind knowing that your unit’s safety and structural integrity is well taken care of.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Container Foundations

What is the best foundation for a shipping container?

The best foundation for a shipping container depends on its intended use, site conditions, and local regulations. The most common solutions are:

• Pier/Foundation Blocks: Ideal for temporary setups or where elevation is needed.
• Slab-on-Grade: A concrete slab, suitable for permanent installations, offering solid support.
• Strip Footing: Long, continuous strips of concrete support the container’s edges.
• Pile Foundations: Deep-set piles that provide stability on unstable soils.

What are the best blocks to put under a shipping container?

The most suitable blocks are concrete pier blocks or specially designed container jacks. They provide robust support, resist weathering, and ensure proper weight distribution. However, ensure the ground is level and the blocks are uniformly placed, especially under corner castings, to prevent structural issues.

What is the structural support of a shipping container?

A shipping container’s structural integrity primarily comes from its corners and frame. The corner posts and corner castings play crucial roles, bearing the weight when stacked or lifted. Containers’ corrugated steel walls provide rigidity and resistance against lateral forces, while steel floors and frames further contribute to their strength and stability.

How do you make shipping container footings?

For container footings:

• Survey the Site: Check for levelness and soil stability.
• Mark Locations: Especially under the four corner castings and, if needed, along the container’s edges.
• Dig: For pier or strip footings, excavate holes or trenches.
• Install Footings: For pier foundations, place concrete blocks or piers. For strip footings, pour concrete into the trenches and let it cure.
• Position the Container: Once the foundation is set, carefully deliver or place the container ensuring even weight distribution.

Should I put my shipping container on blocks?

Using blocks for elevation can be beneficial for your container(s). It aids in ventilation, prevents direct contact with the ground (reducing corrosion), and facilitates easy inspection. However, ensure the blocks are sturdily placed, especially under the corner castings, and the container remains level.

Do you need a concrete slab for a shipping container?

It depends on your particular situation and container use. A concrete slab provides a sturdy, permanent base, ideal for long-term installations or when you intend to make multiple container modifications. However, for temporary setups or on stable ground, pier blocks or strip footings often get the job done. Always assess your site and local regulations before deciding on a foundation.

Reach Out to Us Today

To get more tips on securing your shipping container foundation or to get a free quote on your next unit, contact us at 800-243-0403.