A one trip 20ft open side container gives you full-length side access in near-new condition. One long side is made up of bi-fold doors that open across almost the whole length, and the usual double cargo doors are still at the end. The container has made a single loaded voyage from the factory, so it arrives straight, clean and fully sealed at a lower price than a factory-new unit. Prime Cargo Box sells it wind and watertight and CSC plated.
Side access containers are a specialist product, and near-new stock doesn’t sit around for long. Here is what one trip means for this type, the specification, how the side doors work and what your site needs.
What Is a One Trip 20ft Open Side Container?
Like most containers, open side units are built in large factories and loaded with export cargo for their first journey. After that cargo is delivered, the container is sold into the local market instead of going back into shipping service. It has been loaded and unloaded once, not hundreds of times.
That matters more on an open side container than on a standard box, because the side doors have many hinges, locking bars and gaskets. On a one trip 20ft open side container all of those are close to new, so the side doors line up, lock smoothly and seal properly.
One Trip 20ft Open Side Container Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Container type | 20ft open side (full side access) dry container, standard height |
| Condition | One trip, near new |
| 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 4 in to 7 ft 6 in (2.25 to 2.29 m) |
| Internal height | Approx. 7 ft 6 in to 7 ft 10 in (2.30 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. 6,600 to 7,500 lbs (3,000 to 3,400 kg) |
| Maximum gross weight | Typically 67,200 lbs (30,480 kg) |
| Payload | Approx. 59,700 lbs (27,000 kg) |
| Construction | Corten steel with reinforced side rails and posts |
| Floor | Marine-grade plywood, forklift rated |
| Door configuration | Full-length bi-fold side doors plus double end doors |
| Certification | CSC safety approval plate |
Open side containers vary between manufacturers, mainly in internal width and side opening height. We confirm the exact figures of the unit we supply when we quote. Outside dimensions follow ISO 668, so the container handles like any other 20ft.
How the Side Doors Work
The long side is usually made of four door leaves hinged in pairs. Each pair has its own locking bars and padlock points, so you can open one half for quick access or the full side for loading with a forklift. When closed, the doors lock into the top and bottom side rails and seal against rubber gaskets.
To make up for the missing solid wall, the frame has a heavier bottom rail, a reinforced top rail and steel posts at the door hinges. That extra steel explains the higher tare weight compared with a standard 20ft and the slightly narrower inside width.
Why Choose One Trip Over New or Used?
A new open side container is the most expensive option in this size. A used one can be a false economy, because years of opening and closing wear out the hinges, cams and gaskets on the side doors, and a slightly twisted frame can make them hard to lock. A one trip 20ft open side container avoids both problems: the hardware is near new, but you save on the price of a container straight from the factory.
If budget is tight and the container will mostly stay closed, the used 20ft open side container is still a reasonable option. If you want unmarked paint for a public-facing project, choose the new 20ft open side container.
Who Uses a One Trip 20ft Open Side Container?
A one trip 20ft open side container is popular with:
- Builders’ merchants and contractors loading bulky materials by forklift
- Event and equipment hire companies picking stock every day
- Workshops and repair businesses wanting an open working front
- Pop-up shops, bars and food stands using the side as a serving hatch
- Farms storing machinery, feed and fencing materials
- Exporters shipping long items that are easier to load from the side
For hospitality and retail projects, our container modification team can add counters, lighting, power and shelving before delivery.
Layout Ideas
Put racking or shelving along the solid back wall, facing the side doors, so every bay is reachable from outside. Keep the floor in front clear for a pallet truck. Store heavy items low and near the middle. If you use the container as a shop or bar, many owners fit a counter across one door section and keep the other for loading stock, so the unit works as a serving front and stockroom at once.
Site Requirements for a One Trip 20ft Open Side Container
The side doors need room to fold back, and a forklift needs room to approach. Plan for clear, firm ground of at least 4 to 5 m along the opening side, more for a large forklift, and space in front of the end doors as well. Most units open on the right-hand side when viewed from the end doors; tell us if your layout needs the other side.
Level ground is essential. If the base is uneven, the frame twists slightly and the side doors won’t line up or lock properly. Use a concrete pad, compacted gravel or level blocks under each corner and check with a spirit level before loading. Our shipping and delivery policy explains how we deliver.
Caring for the Side Doors
The side doors are the part of a one trip 20ft open side container that work hardest, so a little care goes a long way. Grease the hinges and locking bar cams every few months if the doors are opened daily. Keep the bottom rail clear of gravel and debris so the doors close fully. Check the gaskets occasionally and wipe off any grit that could stop them sealing. Most importantly, keep the container level; if a door starts to bind, shimming one corner usually fixes it.
Markings and Registration
Every container carries a unique owner code and number registered with the Bureau International des Containers. On a one trip unit those markings are usually still on the sides. They don’t affect use, and we can paint over them if you prefer a plain finish.
What to Ask Before Buying
Ask any supplier for the manufacture date on the CSC plate, photos of the actual unit with the side doors open, and confirmation that there are no repairs. On a one trip 20ft open side container, also ask to see each pair of side doors closed and locked. We send all of this with your quote.
Compare Other Side Access Options
For a longer unit, look at the 40ft high cube open side container. If end access from both sides is enough, the one trip 20ft double door container costs less. You can see everything in our open side containers category.
How to Order Your One Trip 20ft Open Side Container
- Send your requirements. Quantity, address, which side the doors should face and intended use.
- Get your quote. Price, delivery and confirmed dimensions.
- Check the site. We review truck access and door clearance.
- Pay and receive. See our billing and payment policy.
On delivery day, open every side door section and both end doors, check each locking bar engages, and make sure all the doors close evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a one trip 20ft open side container the same as new?
Structurally yes. It has made one voyage, so it may show light handling marks and the original owner’s markings.
Can I load a one trip 20ft open side container with a forklift from the side?
Yes. The floor is forklift rated and the side opening runs nearly the full length.
Is a one trip 20ft open side container secure?
Yes. Each pair of side doors has its own locking bars and padlock points, and the doors lock into the top and bottom rails.
Is a one trip 20ft open side container watertight?
Yes. Keep the container level so all the side door gaskets stay in contact.
Do you deliver worldwide?
Yes. Contact Prime Cargo Box for a delivered price on a one trip 20ft open side container.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.