A 20 ft Open Top Shipping Container is designed for loading materials that are too tall, bulky, or irregular to fit through standard container doors. With a removable tarp or hard-top roof system, these containers offer vertical loading from above—making them ideal for cranes, forklifts, and job sites that handle oversized equipment or debris. Durable, secure, and weather-resistant, open top containers provide the same strong steel structure as standard containers but with the added flexibility of unobstructed top access.
Exterior Dimensions
Interior Dimensions
Interior Space
Door Clearance
Weight
Doors:
Why Choose a 20 ft Open Top Shipping Container
The open roof design allows cranes and forklifts to lower materials directly inside the container.
Choose the roof style that matches your project needs—lightweight tarps or heavy-duty steel tops.
Fits easily on residential driveways, job sites, and commercial properties while providing specialized access.
Perfect for machinery, piping, demolition debris, or materials that cannot fit through standard doors.
Built to withstand harsh weather and tough industrial environments.
Made from corrosion-resistant corten steel, open top containers offer durability that outperforms traditional storage options and delivers long-term value with excellent resale potential.
Popular Uses for 20 ft Open Top Conex Containers
Perfect for cranes and heavy equipment to load bulky debris, concrete, or oversized materials from above without struggling through standard container doors.
Ideal for storing equipment that exceeds standard door height, allowing vertical placement from the top rather than forcing items through tight openings.
Open tops make it easy to drop scrap, metal, and other bulk materials directly into the container, speeding up workflow and reducing manual labor.
Great for loading loose materials like mulch, soil, branches, or farm equipment by simply lowering them in from above with tractors or loaders.
Prepare For A Smooth Delivery
To prepare for a hassle-free delivery, consider these following points:
- Ensure you have enough space:
- 12ft Width clearance
- 16ft Height clearance- no wires or trees above
- Straight line space needed:
- 75ft – for 1 x 20ft container
- 120ft – for 1 x 40ft container or 2 x 20ft (moved together)
- Check the weather conditions
Weather conditions such as rain or snow can impact delivery. Ensure that the path and container location are dry and firm. - Solid, level ground
Containers need to be delivered on solid, level ground to ensure the doors will open and close properly. - Flat delivery site
It is important that the path leading to the delivery site is a level, flat surface as hills and slopes may cause the tilt body truck to get stuck.
Ramps
Easily load and unload your container with our heavy-duty steel ramps. Designed for forklifts, vehicles, and equipment.
Rust & Corrosion Protection
Extend the life of your container with professional-grade rust and corrosion protection service. Ideal for coastal areas or long-term outdoor storage, this treatment helps maintain your container’s durability and appearance.
Buy from the Industry Leader!
Wholesaler of New & Used Shipping Containers Throughout the United States
Customer Reviews
FAQ
A 20ft Open Top shipping container has the same footprint as a standard 20ft unit, measuring about 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet tall. Inside, you’ll typically have approximately 19’4″ of usable length, 7’7″ of width, and 7’10” of interior height. The removable roof system does not change the base dimensions—it simply allows for vertical loading and added flexibility for materials that exceed standard height clearance.
In most cases, yes. A 20 ft container needs about 60–70 feet of straight, level space for the truck to safely back in and unload, even though the container itself is only 20 feet long. Most standard residential driveways can accommodate this, but narrow roads, tight turns, low trees, or steep slopes may require reviewing the site before scheduling delivery.
Yes. All new containers are wind and water tight, protecting your items from rain, snow, and humidity.
We deliver using tilt-bed trucks that gently slide the container off at your location. You’ll need a firm, level surface for safe delivery.
Yes – we also carry 20 ft, 40 ft, and 40 ft High Cube containers in both New (One-Trip) and Used (Wind & Water Tight or Cargo Worthy) conditions.
Most deliveries are completed within 7-10 business days after payment, depending on your location and depot availability.
Purchasing Questions
After choosing your container size and delivery option, we’ll email you an invoice. Once payment is received, we’ll schedule delivery or provide pickup and release details, including the depot location and pickup number.
Payment can be made by ACH, Wire Transfer, Mailed Check, Overnight payment, Major Credit or Debit Card.
Sorry we do not offer financing.
Delivery Questions
Once we receive payment on your invoice to purchase a container and agree on a delivery date. The truck driver will call the contact you provided us once the container is loaded on the truck to advise he is on his way to your location.
Delivery depends on the distance of your location from where we store our containers. Call our office at 708 627-2725 and we will provide you with a delivery quote.
Containers are typically delivered with a tilt-bed roll off truck. The driver tilts the bed up and the container slowly slides off onto the ground as the driver then pulls out from under the container. For a 20ft long storage container, you will need about 75ft of straight line clearance. For a 40ft long storage container, the truck and trailer will need about 110ft of straight line clearance.
We will deliver on cement, pavement, asphalt, gravel, grass & dirt, provided the surface is not too soft. However, we strongly recommend that you choose a site that is as level as possible. If the storage container is not level, the container doors may be hard to open and close. The surface area where you place your container should also have adequate drainage to avoid sinking.
Yes, there is no fee to load the container on your delivery truck.
Yes, railroad ties/landscape timber can be placed under the container to lift it up. The truck driver can help you at time of delivery. Please note, we do not provide the railroad ties/landscape timbers.
Not typically. Because the unit is considered a temporary structure, most zoning regulations do not require a permit. Contact your local municipality to find out the specific requirements for your area.
Yes, in some locations we can move or relocate your container. Please give our office a call at 708 627-2725 to discuss further.
Container deliveries are typically Monday thru Friday. But we do work with some trucking companies who will deliver on the weekend for an extra fee.
Yes, an authorized representative must be there for delivery.
We strive to deliver storage containers to fit your needs. Generally, delivery can take place in 3 to 5 days business days from time of order.
All used containers may have some exterior rust, dings, dents & maybe patches but nothing so significant that affects the structural aspect of the container. At Container Sales Group, we offer a water/wind tight guarantee at the time of delivery or pick-up. We ask our customers to thoroughly inspect the container at the time of delivery or pick-up to ensure it is water/wind tight. If there are any issues, we will work with the customer to replace the container, refund their money or assist in fixing the container.
