Used open top container: classes A/B roof, price £2026
A used open top container is one where the fixed roof has been replaced with a PVC coated tarpaulin stretched over removable arches. It comes from a shipowner's fleet after 8-12 years of service in project or industrial use, allowing overhead crane loading — essential for machines, IBC containers, long wood, or goods exceeding door height. Depreciation is 30-40% compared to new.
Price 2026 by status
A used open top container is one where the fixed roof has been replaced with a PVC coated tarpaulin stretched over removable arches. It comes from a shipowner's fleet after 8-12 years of service in project or industrial use, allowing overhead crane loading — essential for machines, IBC containers, long wood, or goods exceeding door height. Depreciation is 30-40% compared to new.
| Status | Price Excl. VAT | For what use |
|---|---|---|
| Open top 20 feet Grade A | €2 800 – €3 600 | Moderate volume crane loading, machines |
| Open top 40 feet Grade A | €3 800 – €4 800 | Long wood, IBCs, profiles, long machines |
| Open top 20/40 feet Grade B (tired tarpaulin) | €2 200 – €3 900 | Temporary storage, to be re-tarped |
Excluding delivery. The PVC tarpaulin ages the fastest: plan for replacement (€450-900) every 5-8 years in permanent outdoor use.
For whom?
Equipment rental company, machine tool transporter, long materials distributor (roof trusses, steel profiles), construction site contractor who loads with a mobile crane. The used open top container Grade A is the sweet spot: intact structure, tarpaulin remaining at 70-80%, priced at £2,800 instead of £4,200 new.
Key points to remember
- PVC coated tarpaulin 700-900 g/m² with perimeter tension straps
- Removable arches in galvanised steel (4-5 depending on length)
- Payload identical to standard (~26 tonnes for 40 feet)
- Original teak flooring, generally very worn (industrial loading)
- Upper frame and door lintels inspected annually (crane impacts)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check the tarpaulin of a used open top?+
Four points: (1) absence of tears > 5 cm (repairable with reinforced tape), (2) resistance to folding (the tarpaulin should snap back, not remain folded — otherwise PVC is cracked), (3) lateral straps without eyelet corrosion, (4) absence of brown rings (sign of water stagnation inside). Request high-resolution photos before purchase.
Is the used open top waterproof?+
Yes in Grade A: PVC tarpaulin 900 g/m² with a 30 cm overlap on the edges. In Grade B with worn-out tarpaulin, expect leaks at the bows and straps. For long-term outdoor storage, double tarpaulin (internal + external) is recommended.
How much does a new replacement tarpaulin cost?+
For a 40-foot open top: €600-900 for an installed reinforced PVC tarpaulin 900 g/m². For a 20-foot: €450-650. Allow 2-4 hours of installation by two people. European suppliers (Sattler, Mehler) deliver within 3-4 weeks.
Can a used dry standard container be converted into an open top?+
Technically yes (roof cutting + bow addition + tarpaulin), but total cost ~€3,500 for materials and labour. More economical to purchase a used open top directly, unless you acquire a dry container at very low prices (< €1,500).
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