How to Open and Close Shipping Container Doors – Video
There’s definitely a “right way” to open and close a shipping container, and it’s pretty easy to do when you know how.
It can be a little tricky if it’s your first time, but if you follow the steps listed below and check out the video above, you’ll be opening and closing the doors of your BigSteelBox shipping container like a pro in no time!
How to Open Shipping Container Doors
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- Start with the right door.
- Rotate and lift the latches above the handles to a vertical position.
- Pull both handles up and out towards you at the same time to release the door.
- Once both handles are pulled to be perpendicular to the container and parallel with each other, the door can be pulled open.
- Repeat steps 2-4 on the left door.
How to Close Shipping Container Doors
- Close the left door first.
- Take both handles (perpendicular to the container and parallel with each other) and firmly press them into the container.
- Lock the hooks at the top and bottom of the vertical handle rods into the cam keepers (brackets) that are welded above and below the doors of the shipping container.
- Firmly press both handles in at the same time until they are parallel with the container door and lock them into place.
- Rotate the latches above each handle back to the down position.
- Place a padlock on your shipping container. For the highest level of security, place your padlock inside the Lock Box* located in the middle of the container doors. You can also place a lock through the latches on the handles.
*On a BigSteelBox rental container, the Lock Box is located in the middle of the container doors. You can also place a padlock lock through the latches on the handles.
Important Tips for Opening and Closing Shipping Container Doors
- When opening your BigSteelBox, always start with the right door first. If you try to open the left door first, the doors will not release.
- Do not try to open both doors at the same time or they will bind in the middle.
- Take your time. If you rush and pull aggressively, you risk injury to your arms, shoulders, neck, and back. Ensure the hooks at the top and bottom of the vertical handle rods are released from the cam keepers before attempting to pull the doors open.
- Pay attention to any extra resistance or pressure on the door as it begins to open, and listen for sounds of moving items. If the contents of the shipping container were not properly secured, they may have shifted during transport, and there’s a risk of them falling out once the door is open.
Note: These instructions are for standard shipping container doors. Some containers may have a modified handle, which are easier to open.
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