Moving with your own container
August 24, 2010 9:35 PM
We are planning to move a 3 bedroom house from California to Anchorage Alaska. We are wondering if it would be possible to purchase our own container, and then hire a truck driver to move it for us?
We are also wondering if it might be possible to have the container delivered to a storage facility where we might leave if for around a year while we take some time to tour the country?
We think this will probably be more economical that using one of the POD companies services (due to the anticipated long storage), and we think the container might be useful storage on a rural property once we do settle down in Alaska.
Any thoughts or advice?
We think this will probably be more economical that using one of the POD companies services (due to the anticipated long storage), and we think the container might be useful storage on a rural property once we do settle down in Alaska.
Any thoughts or advice?
I did this though the distance was local. Used containers are pretty cheap, check your phone book there is undoubtedly someone selling them in your area. (EG: these people have two locations in California) The expense would be in the transport as truck charge by the mile. It would be cheaper if you could find a back haul. For example about 10 years ago I had a 3 ton truck hauled from Bella Coola to Kamloops on a back haul and it cost me $1000. Most moving and storage companies should be able to store the container for you.
Dfriedman is probably correct in thinking sending it by boat would be cheaper but it might be a wash when the interchanges at each end are paid for. The advantage of a truck is the container goes directly from A to B. When I had my loaded 40' moved the truck hired had a truck mounted crane to load it. This feature is very expensive; for a long haul like yours you'd probably want to use a regular flat deck trailer and coordinate with a crane service at each end.
Containers make awesome storage. Ideally you want a galvanized unit if you plan on long term storage use. They are a little more money but it would be worth it I'd think in your case. Note that they shouldn't however be set directly on the ground; foundations at each corner of wood or concrete should be used to keep the steel away from the moisture of the ground. Makes it easier to open the door when there is snow on the ground too.
40' containers hold more volume and 20' more weight. A pair of containers placed door to door are pretty well immune to casual break ins in storage. Once in place on your property a pair of containers placed parallel to each other 20-40+ feet apart and then trussed and roofed over make a dandy machine/driving shed or outdoor work space. A 20 foot container weighs around 4000 lbs and can be moved around (sideways) on a flat deck one ton truck when empty.
posted by Mitheral at 11:01 PM on August 24, 2010
Dfriedman is probably correct in thinking sending it by boat would be cheaper but it might be a wash when the interchanges at each end are paid for. The advantage of a truck is the container goes directly from A to B. When I had my loaded 40' moved the truck hired had a truck mounted crane to load it. This feature is very expensive; for a long haul like yours you'd probably want to use a regular flat deck trailer and coordinate with a crane service at each end.
Containers make awesome storage. Ideally you want a galvanized unit if you plan on long term storage use. They are a little more money but it would be worth it I'd think in your case. Note that they shouldn't however be set directly on the ground; foundations at each corner of wood or concrete should be used to keep the steel away from the moisture of the ground. Makes it easier to open the door when there is snow on the ground too.
40' containers hold more volume and 20' more weight. A pair of containers placed door to door are pretty well immune to casual break ins in storage. Once in place on your property a pair of containers placed parallel to each other 20-40+ feet apart and then trussed and roofed over make a dandy machine/driving shed or outdoor work space. A 20 foot container weighs around 4000 lbs and can be moved around (sideways) on a flat deck one ton truck when empty.
posted by Mitheral at 11:01 PM on August 24, 2010
I would explore taking the container overland to the Seattle/Tacoma area, then barging the container from there to Anchorage. You would avoid sending the container through Canada. You may be able to store the container near the shipping yard that receives it. Companies like Lynden Transport does both overland and by sea. Have them give you a quote for various options. At a big container port like ANC, I would think there would be a long-term storage option. If those options fail to give you good answers, the Anchorage Military Families website has some good links. Also, you could contact the Anchorage Municipal Library's reference desk. I am sure they field these sort of inquiries often. As a SE Alaskan, my gut reaction is always to barge but that is because it is the only option. Good luck!
Lynden Transport
Port of Anchorage
Northland Shipping (my office's preferred freight service)
Anchorage Military Families
ANC Muni Library
posted by Foam Pants at 12:51 AM on August 27, 2010
Lynden Transport
Port of Anchorage
Northland Shipping (my office's preferred freight service)
Anchorage Military Families
ANC Muni Library
posted by Foam Pants at 12:51 AM on August 27, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by dfriedman at 9:42 PM on August 24, 2010