Boxxport Blog

Hard-top open-top containers are the shipping units that are often confused with open-top containers. Let’s know all about the containers and what makes them different from open-top ones.

Since the 1950’s containers have been around us, helping us in more ways than we can imagine. Whether you are watching television by sitting on a sofa at home or going out by car, whatever services you are taking have been shipped to you using the shipping containers that most people do not know of. Lots of goods are moved in containers throughout the globe. But their all work goes unheard and without any applause.

They provide the best architectural, transport, and storage solutions – like, home remodeling, public toilets, kids’ zone, personal spaces, tunnels, bridges, and other such solutions. They come in wide ranges, types, and sizes to cater to the needs of the shippers and others.

The given below is the list of different types of shipping containers that fulfill various container purposes.

Hard-top open-top containers are one such type that can be customized with a removable steel roof that can be removed or attached whenever needed to the insides of the box.

Let’s look in detail at hardtop open-top containers.

Hard-top open-top containers, as the name suggests, have a hard steel roof that can be used or removed. The roof can be kept inside when the cargo is protruding out of the container. This moving of roof inside feature extends the feasibility of cargo loading. It helps in managing cost reduction as well.

Now you will be thinking how?

Cost can be reduced by shifting the roof as it allows the container to be reused for general cargo carriage while returning. Hence this practice saves the empty positioning cost. By keeping the roof intact the merchandise can be fastened to the interior lashing points. They are perfect for the storage of very heavy goods that need to be loaded from the top.

Design and Structure 

They have the same structure as other ISO containers. They are made of 14-gauge corrugated steel panels and have marine plywood flooring that reduces friction. They are custom made with removable roof opening, to meet the need of heavy or overextended consignment. The roof opening can be shifted to the insides of the sides of the shipping container. This altered roof provides stretchability, sturdiness, and durability to the shipping units.

They have a moveable rear top rail or swinging header that facilitates in loading of cargo easier. Unpacking and packing cargo is an easier task in the boxes as they are fitted with swiveling doors. They have lashing rings installed in them to accommodate forklift trucks.

Different Dimensions of Hard Top Open Top containers

They come in different sizes of 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft high cube to solve the needs of the shippers. The approximate data of dimensions are given below.

 20ft Hard top open top containers

Internal dimension	19’3 x 7’8 x 7’7”
External dimension	19’ x 8’ x 8’6”
Door Opening	7’8” x 7’5
Max gross weight	67200 pounds

Cubic Capacity – 1,165 ft³

40ft hard top open top containers

Internal dimension	36’5 x 7’8 x 7’7
External dimension	40’ x 8’ x 8’6”
Door Opening	7’8” x 7’6
Max gross weight	67200 pounds

Cubic Capacity – 2306 ft³

40ft high cube hard top open top containers

Internal dimension	36’ x 7’8 x 8’7
External dimension	40’ x 8’ x 9’6”
Door Opening	7’8” x 8’6
Max gross weight	67200 pounds

Cubic Capacity – 2,694 ft³

Difference between Hard Top Open Top and Open-Top Containers 

These containers are most commonly misunderstood by each other. But there are subtle differences between both of them.

Open-top containers (OT) are fitted with either hard or soft-top roofs that can be removed whenever needed.

• OTwith hard roof has removable steel roof that accommodates oversized cargo and provides sturdiness to the cargo.
• OT with soft roof has removable tarpaulin roof that provides flexibility to the merchandise.

Whereas hardtop open-top containers come with a removable steel roof that can be detached when needed. The steel roof can be used to allow a more secure feature and the detached roof gives the freedom of putting more cargo that is protruding over the top.

So we can see the most basic difference between open top and hard top open top is that the former gives the feasibility of tarpaulin/steel roof but the later gives the feasibility of steel roof.

The common feature between them is that they both can be converted into an open top container.

What are the uses of Hard Top Open Top containers?

This shipping unit has many uses to cater to the need of consumers.

• They are perfect for transporting bulk loads like heavy machinery, cement, automobiles, construction pipes, and many others.
• They provide the best storage solutions for keeping any type of heavy machinery.
• They can be easily converted into the open-top container by detaching the roof to the side walls. Hence giving more space to cargo.
• To allow smooth and secure transition of shipment, there are lashing rings that are installed in the corner posts, upper side rails, middle sidewalls, and lower side rails. But the rings can be used only when the roof is closed.
• They are fitted with swiveling door that allows the benefit of easily putting the heavy load in the shipping container using a forklift.

What are the benefits of Hard Top Open Top containers?

Heavy Machinery and Tool Friendly: They allow you the feasibility of putting heavy cargo or machinery with the help of tools/cranes/forklifts. They have been installed with lashing rings that can accommodate the forklifts to allow the ease of moving goods.
Easy to Convert:  They can easily be converted into open-top containers by detaching the roof to side walls with the help of lashing rings.
Secure: The lashing rings that are installed in upper and lower side rails, middle sidewalls, and corner posts provide security to the cargo when the roof is installed.

Hard-top open-top containers provide the facility of securely storing or transporting heavy machinery, cargo, manufacturing raw materials, and other such items.

If you are looking to buy new containers or sell used containers, then you have just come to the right place. Being one of the leading open marketplaces, BOXXPORT provides the best container trading solutions. We have a wide range and types of containers to meet your container demands. We are one-of-a-kind, open trading services that match buyers and sellers nationally and internationally. Our transparent transaction services help you get rid of any hidden charges.