Fast Delivery
Competitive Prices
Sales Available Nationwide
Rentals Available in California
Fast Delivery
Competitive Price
Sales Available Nationwide
Rentals Available in California
40 Foot Full Side Open Shipping Containers
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About 40 Foot Full Side Open Shipping Containers
A 40-foot full side open container is a standard 40 Foot steel shipping container modified so one entire 40-foot side opens, giving full-length access to load oversized, long, or palletized items that won’t fit through end doors. It keeps the same external footprint (40′ L × 8′ W × 8’6″ H) as a regular 40ft container.
Aztec Container has been building storage and shipping containers since 1969. Sales are available nationwide and rentals are available in California. For pricing, call 1-800-399-2126 or request a quick quote.
Key Features
- Full-length side access: one entire 40-foot side opens, so you load and unload along the whole unit instead of through a single end doorway.
- Built for oversized & long loads: lumber, pipe, drywall, machinery, equipment, and furniture that’s awkward to maneuver through standard end doors.
- Side-by-side forklift loading: set pallets into any position along the 40-foot length and pull a specific one without unloading everything in front of it.
- Heavy-duty steel build: Corten steel with an 8-gauge steel frame and 14-gauge steel side panels.
- 1-inch marine-grade plywood floor: rated for heavy, high-traffic use.
- Reinforced lockbox: shields the padlock area for added security when closed.
- Built-in vents: promote interior airflow.
- Customizable: shelving, lighting, electrical, custom paint, and alternative door/access configurations.
- Buy or rent: sales nationwide, rentals in California.
Dimensions & Specifications
| Measurement Type | Specification |
| External Length | 40 feet |
| External Width | 8 feet |
| External Height | 8 feet 6 inches |
| Internal Length | 39 feet 5 inches |
| Internal Width | 7 feet 9 inches |
| Internal Height | 7 feet 10 inches |
FAQ's
What exactly is a 40-foot full side open shipping container?
It’s a standard 40 Foot steel container modified so one entire long side opens up rather than just the end. That gives you a roughly 40-foot-wide opening into the unit, so you can load and unload along the whole length instead of working through a single doorway. The external footprint stays the same as a regular 40ft container at 40′ L × 8′ W × 8’6″ H.
How is it different from a regular 40 Foot Shipping container with end cargo doors?
A standard 40 Foot container only opens at one 8-foot-wide end, so everything has to go in and come out through that single doorway. A full side open container opens along the entire 40-foot side, giving you full-length reach into the unit — a big advantage when you’re handling long or bulky items that won’t easily turn the corner through end doors.
What is a full side open container actually good for?
It works best anywhere you need wide, walk-up access to the whole unit — lumber, pipe, drywall, landscaping materials, machinery, equipment, furniture, or palletized inventory. Contractors, warehouses, retailers, and event crews like it because they can reach any spot inside without climbing over other items.
How much storage space is inside?
Internally it measures about 39’6″ long × 7’8.5″ wide × 7’10” high — roughly 305 square feet of floor space and about 2,350 cubic feet (≈66.6 m³) of usable volume. That’s the same interior capacity as a standard 40ft container, just with far easier access.
Can I drive a forklift up and load pallets from the side?
Yes, and it’s one of the main reasons people choose this style. Because the whole side opens, a forklift can place pallets directly into any position along the 40-foot length instead of stacking them deep from one end. It speeds up loading and lets you grab a specific pallet without moving the ones in front of it.
Is a full side open container still secure once it's closed?
Yes. When the side panels are closed they lock into the container’s steel frame, and the unit includes a reinforced lockbox that shields the padlock area. Closed and locked, it offers the same solid steel security you’d expect from any quality shipping container.
What is it built from, and how heavy-duty is it?
The container is made from Corten steel, with an 8-gauge steel frame and 14-gauge steel side panels. The floor is 1-inch marine-grade plywood rated for heavy, high-traffic loads, and the unit is built to hold a maximum payload of roughly 58,334 lbs (26,460 kg).
Can the container be customized?
Definitely. Common modifications include interior shelving, lighting, electrical, ventilation upgrades, custom paint, and additional door or access configurations. Whether you’re using it for storage, a workspace, retail, or events, it can be tailored to how you actually plan to use it.
Does the entire side open, or only part of it?
On a full side open unit, the complete 40-foot side opens for uninterrupted access along the length. If you only need a few access points rather than the whole side, Aztec also offers 40ft containers with one to four individual roll-up doors as an alternative.
Should I buy or rent, and does used vs. new affect the price?
Both options are available — sales nationwide and rentals within California. Pricing depends mainly on whether you choose a used or new (one-trip) container and your overall configuration: used units cost less, while new ones offer the cleanest finish. For current numbers, call 1-800-399-2126 or request a quick quote.
No matter what type of shipping container you need Aztec Container can help you find the right solution!
Call us at 1-800-399-2126 for a quick quote
Fast Delivery
We work fast to customize your container and deliver it to your job site.
Buy or Rent
Sales available nationwide, rentals available in California.
Custom Built
You can customize your container to fit your exact needs.