Opening the doors on a shipping container can sometimes be a bit challenging. These doors are designed to be strong, heavy, and weather-resistant to keep your cargo safe. However, if the container is not properly leveled, it can make it difficult for you to access your belongings.
To make your shipping container's doors operate more smoothly, follow these tips.
- Ensure that the shipping container is positioned on a level surface. Using support beams such as railroad ties can help keep the container balanced even on soft ground. Any unevenness in the foundation can prevent the doors from opening and closing properly.
-
Inspect whether both doors are properly aligned with each other. It's possible that the edges of both doors may not line up when the container is closed. This could indicate that one of the hinges is under excessive stress. If the doors are not aligned, you can try using a jack to level the container until the doors are even. Keep the doors closed while making this adjustment, and ensure no one is standing near the container during jacking.
- Apply a generous amount of WD-40, Fluid Film, Armour All, Rust Check, or general-purpose oil to the door hinges, locking bar rods, and lock mechanisms to keep them operating smoothly. Reapply lubricant every few months or whenever the doors begin to feel stiff.
- When opening the container doors, always open the right door first — it is the lead door. To do this, rotate the vertical locking bars on the right door (the cam rods that run up and down the door face) to the open position before pulling the door handle. This releases the door's cam locks and allows the door to swing open freely, making the second door easier to open as well.
If you still have issues with your doors after trying these recommendations, please reach out to our customer service team!
