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So I just bought a prefab container house
shootuadeal
Member Posts: 5,291 ✭✭✭✭
Anyone every see or have any experience with these?
I have a lake lot that currently has an old single wide trailer on it now that isn't in great shape, it been on the "to get rid of" list for awhile but we still use it for storage, a bathroom and large fridge inside. I don't want to spend a ton of money on a cabin for out there because we only spend about 6-8 weekends a year there. This came for sale locally brand new, never unfolded and I thought it might fit the bill, for at least a few years anyway.
Here is the model I got:
Comments
Wow. Why not. If it's clean and new.
"Independence Now, Independence Forever."
John Adams
The photos of the 13' x20' look the same as the 19' x 20'. Does the 13' just have one side that folds out?
I didn't catch that, could be. The one i bought has both sides that fold out. I may have linked the wrong one. Anyways I was moreso just wondering if anyone had an experience with them, of any size or brand? If you google "expandable container house" there are many different makers and price points.
That looks great.
For 6 or 8 weekends a year a Tough Shed would work. This will likely be more of a palace by comparison.
Heck yeah, why not. Looks good.
I like the looks of that. Should be a great getaway place !!!
Nice and i think you will love it
also, you could rent it out, LOL
To immigrants and have the government pay for it
Looks good to me. I'd live in one of those.
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
I'm with He Dog. At $21K, I'd get a pain Jane cargo box with a bucket to poop in. Then use some of the $18K/$19K to buy a solar system with battery bank to run the electronics. Make it portable so you can put everything in the cargo container when not there.
The biggest plus for shipping containers is rodent proof(ish) and fairly storm proof. When you start cutting holes in them, POOF goes the rodent proof part. When you start connecting multiple units, things begin to fall apart(literally not figuratively) as the base where the units set has to be far more solid/stable or the connections between units can/will fail due to settling and such. Then the seals begin to leak and POOF leaky-leaky.
We use 3 shipping containers for rodent/theft proof storage of seed & chemicals and Grouch Attack uses one for storing her inventory of Tupperware. They're GREAT for those uses. My Cousin just bought one to store his household in while he demolishes his old house and builds a new replacement. I even converted one into a huge culvert for field access across a large drainage ditch. Some tricky engineering required there.
Containers are good for all these purposes but I don't see great advantages for living space after one defeats the rodent proof aspect. Those businesses performing these conversions can be really good or just barely adequate. Hope you picked a good one.
Well, the other side of the story is I didn't pay $21,000. An acquaintance of mine bought it on an auction but was to big for where he wanted to put it so after a few months he just decided to sell it. I ended up paying $8100. It is still new, never unfolded.
It's a lake cabin, not an apocalypse survival shelter lol. I'm sure my wife, kids, and frequent visitors will enjoy a windowless shipping container with a poop bucket. I plan on also buying a 10-14x20 shed to make up for the lack of storage we will lose when the trailer house is gone.
Looks like a great solution for what you described.keep us posted on how you like it!
You did very well on that purchase!
No experience with these, but I think you got a great deal and will enjoy your time away.
I saw a video about this model.... I thought it was just perfect.
"Independence Now, Independence Forever."
John Adams
"I ended up paying $8100. It is still new, never unfolded"
That's a plus. So here's something you should or may consider: those containers are designed to support their weight on the corners where the primary structural pillars are located.
One 40' container I've been using for storage for over 20 years has treated timber cross supports every 8' along it's length laid dead level and has worked great. The 20 footer Grouch Attack is using only has pedestal supports under the corners (it's much lighter than the heavily loaded 40 footer) and it works fine. It might be important to know how the designer of this unit intended for the supports to be located.
Looks nice. I've lived in worse.
Will you fold it back up when you leave?
Sounds like a great deal, and a perfect use for what you intend to do with it.
Will it hook up to the plumbing you have for the trailer, or will you have to set up something new for it? I didn’t see a shower in the linked diagram. Outside shower setup?
I will be pouring a concrete slab to set it on, I believe I saw it has adjustable supports at various distances around the perimeter bought I wont really know until I go to set it up.
Depending on the ease of setting it up/taking down and how I feel about its overall structural strength unfolded it is an option. Without knowing, right now, I'm leaning towards folding it up for the winter.
I would sink some hurricane straps (mobile home tie down straps) into the ground for it so it doesn't blow over.
Mine is different than the one I linked to, it has a full bathroom including shower. It has water, sewer and electrical hook up locations on the back. It is already plumbed but an unknown is there is a way to a kitchen sink once unfolded but not sure how it is plumbed in. I will line this up with my existing septic tank. The electrical and water hookups are very nearby that as well.
If you are putting in a slab, set some anchor bolts in slab instead of mobile home stuff if possible. Your place do what you think is best for your situation, again I think you got a great deal!
At $21k in Cali where you live, you'd be lucky to get a cardboard box, Yosh! 😂
🇺🇲 "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." - Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇲
Can you anchor it down? If not I would figure a way- You got a smoking deal!
shootuadeal - $8K for something that's priced at $21K then sure be fancy with windows. If you got "good" nosey neighbors I suppose windows aren't a weak B&E point. Say are you going to alarm the new fancy?
Kevin_L - You have to put alarms on the reefer box otherwise it'll get took or get squatters
Is that a shower/bathroom…..or are you supposed to stick the shower head out the window and set up something outside? It doesn't look like it has a drain.
The one pictured on here is different. The one I bought is different, mine has a full shower in it. The one in the link above is weird, I'm not sure how that one works but I saw the same thing you did about the shower head hanging there.
I'm in the middle of North Dakota on a very friendly lake, I'm not concerned with crime. We've had this lot there for around 12 years and don't think we've ever had an issue of any kind so far, my brother has the lot next to me for around 30ish years and have had very little issues if any.