A used 20ft open side container gives you full side access at a much lower price than a new or one trip unit. One long side opens on bi-fold doors almost end to end, and the standard cargo doors are still at the end, so you can reach every item without unloading the whole box. Prime Cargo Box sells every used 20ft open side container wind and watertight, with the side doors checked to open, close and lock properly.
Used side opening containers are harder to find than standard ones, and condition varies more, so it is worth understanding what to look for. Here is the specification, the wear you can expect and how to keep the side doors working well.
Why Buy a Used 20ft Open Side Container?
The main reason is cost. Open side containers are expensive to build because of the extra doors, hinges and reinforced frame, so new and one trip units carry a premium. A used 20ft open side container gives you the same layout for far less, which makes it attractive for storage yards, farms, workshops and hire firms that want easy access but don’t need a perfect finish.
It is also a practical choice if you plan to paint the container, clad it or turn it into a pop-up stall, because the outside will change anyway.
Used 20ft Open Side Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 20ft open side (full side access) dry container, standard height |
| Condition | Used, wind and watertight |
| External length | 20 ft (6.06 m) |
| External width | 8 ft (2.44 m) |
| External height | 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m) |
| Internal length | Approx. 19 ft 2 in (5.85 m) |
| Internal width | Approx. 7 ft 3 in to 7 ft 6 in (2.22 to 2.29 m) |
| Internal height | Approx. 7 ft 5 in to 7 ft 10 in (2.27 to 2.39 m) |
| Side door opening | Approx. 18 ft 8 in to 19 ft 1 in wide (5.70 to 5.82 m) x approx. 7 ft 1 in high (2.15 to 2.19 m) |
| End door opening | Approx. 7 ft 6 in wide x 7 ft 5 in high (2.29 x 2.27 m) |
| Cubic capacity | Approx. 1,090 cu ft (31 m³) |
| Tare weight | Approx. 6,450 to 7,500 lbs (2,930 to 3,400 kg) |
| Maximum gross weight | Typically 67,200 lbs (30,480 kg) |
| Construction | Corten steel with reinforced side rails and posts |
| Floor | Marine plywood, forklift rated, sound with signs of use |
| Door configuration | Full-length bi-fold side doors plus double end doors |
Dimensions vary between builders and years, so we confirm the measurements of the unit we supply on your quote.
What Wear to Expect
A used 20ft open side container has done years of work. The outside will show dents, faded paint and some surface rust, which is normal on weathering steel. The floor will be stained and scuffed. None of that affects how well it stores goods.
The area that needs real attention on a used side opener is the side door system. With many hinges, cams and gaskets, it wears faster than a solid wall. On every used unit we check that each pair of side doors opens fully, closes square, locks with all bars seated and seals without daylight showing. A unit that fails those checks doesn’t leave our yard.
Grades: Storage or Cargo Worthy
Our standard used stock is wind and watertight, which is the right grade for storage. If you want to ship goods in it, you need a cargo worthy unit with a valid plate under the International Convention for Safe Containers. Cargo worthy used 20ft open side container stock is limited, so mention it early if you need one.
Who Buys a Used 20ft Open Side Container?
- Farms storing machinery, fencing and feed where quick access matters
- Builders and landscapers loading materials with a forklift
- Equipment hire firms picking and returning stock every day
- Market traders and pop-up food or drink stalls
- Workshops that want an open front in good weather
How to Lay Out a Used 20ft Open Side Container
Put shelving or racking along the solid back wall, facing the side doors, so every bay is reachable. Keep the area in front clear for a pallet truck. Heavy items go low and near the middle. If you only open one section of the side most days, put your most-used stock behind that pair of doors and use the other section for bulk or seasonal items.
Checking a Used 20ft Open Side Container Yourself
If you inspect the unit in person, spend most of your time on the side. Open each pair of side doors fully and close them again; they should swing without dragging on the floor rail and meet evenly in the middle. Turn every locking bar and make sure the cams drop into their keepers. Step inside with all doors closed and look along the side for daylight at the gaskets. Then check the usual points on any used container: corner posts, bottom rails, roof and the floor just inside the doors.
Small dents on the door panels are cosmetic. Bent locking bars, cracked hinges or doors that need a hammer to close are not, and we don’t sell units with those faults.
Site Requirements
The side doors need room to fold back and a forklift needs space to approach, so allow 4 to 5 m of clear, firm ground along the opening side. Level ground is even more important on a used 20ft open side container than on a new one, because worn hinges and an older frame are less forgiving of twist. Use concrete, compacted gravel or level blocks under each corner and check with a spirit level. Our shipping and delivery policy covers how we quote and deliver.
Keeping the Side Doors Working
Grease the hinges and locking bar cams every few months, more often if the doors are used daily. Keep the bottom rail free of gravel, mud and leaves so the doors close fully. Wipe grit off the gaskets and replace any section that tears. If a door starts to bind, check the container is still level before anything else; ground settling is the usual cause.
What Affects the Price?
Supply is limited, since far fewer side opening containers are built than standard boxes, so prices vary more by region. Age, the state of the side door hardware, rust and dent repairs, the floor and whether the unit is cargo worthy all change the price of a used 20ft open side container. Delivery is quoted separately and depends on distance and the truck needed.
Simple Upgrades
Popular additions include lockboxes over the padlock lugs, vents to cut condensation, LED lighting, shelving along the back wall and a fresh coat of paint. For stalls and pop-up bars, a fold-down counter on one side door section is a common job. Our container modification team can do this before delivery.
Compare Side Access Options
If you want near-new hardware, the one trip 20ft open side container is the next step up, and the new 20ft open side container is the top grade. For a bigger unit on a budget, see the used 40ft open side container. If access from both ends is enough, the used 20ft double door container costs less.
Browse all units in the open side containers category or our used shipping containers for sale page.
How to Buy a Used 20ft Open Side Container
- Request a quote. Quantity, address, which side you want the doors on and intended use.
- See the condition. We send photos of the unit with the side doors open.
- Pay and schedule. See our billing and payment policy.
- Inspect on delivery. Open every door section and check each one locks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a used 20ft open side container watertight?
Yes. All our standard used units are wind and watertight, including the side doors. Keep it level so the gaskets stay in contact.
Can I load a used 20ft open side container from the side with a forklift?
Yes. The floor is forklift rated and the side opening runs nearly the full length.
Do the side doors still lock securely?
Yes. Each pair has its own locking bars and padlock points, and we check them all before delivery.
Can I choose which side the doors are on?
It depends on stock. Most open on the right when viewed from the end doors. Tell us if you need the other side, and we will check what is available. Remember the doors need clear space to fold back, so plan which way the container will face before it is delivered.
Do you deliver worldwide?
Yes. Contact Prime Cargo Box with your location for a delivered price on a used 20ft open side container.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.