Council garage/Shipping container to store bike?

Council garage/Shipping container to store bike?

Author
Discussion

D1on

Original Poster:

805 posts

193 months

Thursday 26th September
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Not got use of a garage at home anymore so been looking at the above options. Does anyone keep a bike in a container at one of the storage yards? Does it keep in good condition, secure etc?...
The other option is to apply for a council garage & try to secure it as best as possible...

Simon_GH

403 posts

87 months

Thursday 26th September
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I think metal containers are prone to heavy condensation unless insulated and/or ventilated so I’d be wary.

Wacky Racer

38,979 posts

254 months

Thursday 26th September
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Is there anywhere to erect a shed round the back?

Rubin215

4,100 posts

163 months

Thursday 26th September
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Simon_GH said:
I think metal containers are prone to heavy condensation unless insulated and/or ventilated so I’d be wary.
I currently rent a container for storing business stuff etc.

The place I rent from has basic unlined one for builders etc, they do get damp but not actually wet inside.
My one is insulated on the roof so I have never had any serious issues though did once find some metal drums in the back corner were slightly damp with condensation.
I previously used a similar one to store bikes without issue; no signs of corrosion or condensation at all.

He also does fully insulated and lined ones that people use to store furniture, documents, shoes and even sacks of cocoa beans so obviously these have no issues at all.

For my part lined one I pay £120 a month and it's a 20' container.

Simon_GH

403 posts

87 months

Thursday 26th September
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I’m pretty sure I get that level of condensation in a brick garage with a breathable roofing membrane.

MrGman

1,618 posts

213 months

Thursday 26th September
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I’ve been on the council waiting list for a garage for 6 years now I think? I was told when I applied it would be years!
Private garages do come up but they’re £150+ a month in the south east now.

I’ve been looking at a 8x10ft container, from my research insulation is key, you can actually buy shaped insulation specifically for containers.
Security is my concern and I’ve not looked into insurance yet.

Drawweight

3,099 posts

123 months

Thursday 26th September
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I've never experienced damp in any shipping container.

Our club uses an unlined one to store archery equipment and I rented a lined one from a storage company for quite a few months.

All bone dry. If I didn't have a garage I wouldn't hesitate to use a shipping container.





-Cappo-

19,909 posts

210 months

Thursday 26th September
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Drawweight said:
I've never experienced damp in any shipping container.

Our club uses an unlined one to store archery equipment and I rented a lined one from a storage company for quite a few months.

All bone dry. If I didn't have a garage I wouldn't hesitate to use a shipping container.


People always rattle on about damp etc in shippers. A good friend has dozens of them in a yard, all used for storage, never had a damp issue ever, *provided* the container is in good condition. He has expensive/valuable cars stored in some of them and never had the fabled condensation issues. In others he has tonnes (literally) of packaging materials, cardboard, paper, etc - that stuff wouldn't survive in a damp environment.

People who import vehicles by container don't open them up and say "ooh, my new car's all wet" do they.

Probably a different story if you put something soaking wet in there and close the doors.

Speed addicted

5,707 posts

234 months

Friday 27th September
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I used a shipping container as a garage for a couple of years until my stone shed roof was replaced, we now use them for storage.

I was concerned about damp so I lined the container with foil insulation.
No problems at all, even in Aberdeenshire winters.

OutInTheShed

9,349 posts

33 months

Friday 27th September
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Some years ago, I had this problem.
I sub-rented half a garage from another bike owner.

Where there are blocks of garages, there are deals to be done!

bimsb6

8,172 posts

228 months

Saturday 28th September
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MrGman said:
I’ve been on the council waiting list for a garage for 6 years now I think? I was told when I applied it would be years!
Private garages do come up but they’re £150+ a month in the south east now.

I’ve been looking at a 8x10ft container, from my research insulation is key, you can actually buy shaped insulation specifically for containers.
Security is my concern and I’ve not looked into insurance yet.
I would have thought that a shipping container was more secure than a council garage as long as a decent padlock was fitted to the container .

Time4another

270 posts

10 months

Saturday 28th September
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Easiest way to get a council garage around here is to go around looking for empty ones and consistently digging at the council about them. They either agree one is empty and you can have it or they magically find an empty one so you leave them alone.

Can only assume it's down to them not making much money out of rented garages, a lot are simply being ripped down if there's any sign of disrepair.

TuonoPants

294 posts

151 months

Saturday 28th September
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I've just got myself a council garage 10 minutes walk from home, £70/month and it's got a nice new door to which I've added a discrete bit of extra security. Cuts my insurance by £100/year and also opens the door to owning other bikes that otherwise would be uninsurable.

Agree with the above about keeping on at the council, I applied regularly to make sure that they hadn't forgotten about me as the idea of there being a "waiting list" appears to be a myth, when a garage becomes available I think they give it to the first person that asks rather than the next on a list.

D1on

Original Poster:

805 posts

193 months

Saturday 28th September
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TuonoPants said:
I've just got myself a council garage 10 minutes walk from home, £70/month and it's got a nice new door to which I've added a discrete bit of extra security. Cuts my insurance by £100/year and also opens the door to owning other bikes that otherwise would be uninsurable.

Agree with the above about keeping on at the council, I applied regularly to make sure that they hadn't forgotten about me as the idea of there being a "waiting list" appears to be a myth, when a garage becomes available I think they give it to the first person that asks rather than the next on a list.
A garage would be ideal, aren't you worried about people sussing out the bikes in there and trying to break in though?, that's my main concern...

TuonoPants

294 posts

151 months

Sunday 29th September
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D1on said:
A garage would be ideal, aren't you worried about people sussing out the bikes in there and trying to break in though?, that's my main concern...
That is a concern but the choice is the garage (with extra security) or under cover in the garden. My insurance company definitely thinks the garage is more secure as they cut my premium by 30%.


Getragdogleg

9,100 posts

190 months

Sunday 29th September
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New container all day long, I have 80+ of them in my self store yard and no damp problems.

You get out what you put in, store wet wood in one and that's what it stays like. A nice dry car will stay dry.

If you are worried and can put power to it then a dehumidifier running occasionally will put any damp to bed before it is a problem, you could put the car away wet if you ran a dehumidifier.


wc98

11,175 posts

147 months

Sunday 29th September
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I kept my bikes in council garages for years without any problems. The one i have now is 15 metres from my front door and did have a leak which the council fixed when i reported it. Think it is 600 quid per year which is good value, imo, although not at the moment as it's full of junk with no bike. That reminds me, anyone needing a light weight portable disabled ramp ? Made from carbon fibre, cost over a grand, can have it for £100 donation to the MS society.

mcg_

1,452 posts

99 months

Sunday 29th September
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if you have outdoor space, how about a carcoon? I keep my caterham in one over winter