What is a Conex Box?

A Conex Box is another term for a storage, shipping, or intermodal container. Historically, Conex boxes have been used to transport large goods via ships, trains, and trucks. They grew in popularity during the 1950s as a way to ship items using multiple modes of transport without having to unpack and repack any boxes. In fact, their name originated from World War II when they were referred to as Container Express boxes or Conex boxes.

Now, not only are these containers still used for shipping, but they’re also being used for home construction, pop-up shops, emergency hospitals, pools, and more! Curious about Conex box specifics? We have the answers below!

How Large are Conex Boxes?

There are multiple Conex box sizes, the most common being 20-feet, 40-feet, and 10-feet long, and they’re usually 8-feet wide, and 8-feet, 6-inches tall. They’re plenty large for an adult to stand upright in and move around. There are also high cube Conex boxes that, as the name suggests, are taller in height. These high cubes are usually 9-feet and 6-inches tall, or about a foot higher than your standard Conex box.

In terms of weight, a 20-foot box weighs around 5,000 pounds and holds around 27 tons. On the other hand, 40-foot containers weight around 8,000 pounds and hold around 30 tons. One of the most obvious benefits of Conex boxes are their diverse sizing options that allow their use to be flexible to any project you have in mind.

What is the Longevity of a Conex Box?

As you may imagine from their original use, Conex boxes have quite the longevity – usually between 12-15 years! The largest factors to the longevity of the containers are the natural elements like snow and rain, and how many times the shipping container has been moved. As with anything, you also have to consider what it will be used for and how often it will be used when determining how long you can expect your container to maintain it’s integrity.

What Type of Doors Does a Conex Box Have?

In their original form, almost all Conex boxes have cargo doors. These heavy-duty swinging doors leave plenty of room for large cargo to be moved in and out of the containers. However, depending on your plans for your Conex box, you can add any door that you would like. Common door additions include sliding glass doors, garage doors, and even your standard wood or steel home and business doors. If your planned use of your Conex box doesn’t need any doors, the cargo doors can be removed or simply sealed.

No matter what your plans are for your Conex box, Lone Star Trailers has containers both for rent and for sale and we deliver! Get in touch with us today to discuss your storage container needs so we can recommend the appropriate container for your project.