Open top containers
A removable tarpaulin roof so tall or awkward cargo can be craned in from above instead of pushed through the doors.
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Load from above
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Tarpaulin roof
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20ft & 40ft
Top loading
For loads that will not go through a doorway
An open top container is a standard box with the steel roof replaced by removable roof bows and a weatherproof tarpaulin. The end doors still open normally, but the whole top comes off.
That means a crane can lower machinery, glass, stone or oversized components straight down into the container - and once the tarp is back on, the load travels weather-protected like any other container.
2.29 m
Typical roof opening
Full
Length top access
20/40ft
Sizes available
Buy/hire
Both available
Where they work
What open tops carry
Machinery
Plant and equipment too tall to roll or push through the end doors.
Stone & glass
Slabs, panels and packs craned down flat rather than manoeuvred in on edge.
Bulk materials
Scrap, aggregate and loose product tipped or grabbed in from above.
Long components
Beams, pipe and structural sections that need overhead placement.
Weatherproof
The tarpaulin seals the load once the roof bows are back in place.
Still stackable
Standard corner castings mean it handles and locks like any other container.
Gallery
Open top containers on site
FAQ
Open tops, answered
Yes. A properly fitted tarp over the roof bows sheds rain and keeps the load dry. It is not as robust as a steel roof, so for permanent outdoor storage in exposed spots a standard container is the better choice.
It runs on a rope through eyelets around the top rail and is tensioned down, so it cannot lift in transit. Removing and refitting it is a two-person job that takes a few minutes.
You can, but it is not what they are best at. Open tops are designed for loading access. If the container is going to sit on your site for years, a standard box with a steel roof needs less attention.
Yes. You get both options - conventional end door access plus the removable roof, which is often useful when unloading in a space with no crane access.
Loading from above?
Send us the load dimensions and weight and we will confirm the right open top unit.
