The walls of open-top containers are generally made of corrugated steel. The floor is made of wood.
It has the following typical distinguishing structural features. The roof consists of removable bows and a removable tarpaulin. The door header may be swivelled out. These two structural features greatly simplify the process of packing and unpacking the container. In particular, it is very easy to pack and unpack the container from above or through the doors by crane or crab when the roof is open and the door header is swivelled out.
It should be noted, however, that the purpose of the roof bows of an open-top container is not solely to support the tarpaulin but also to contribute to container stability. Flat racks are more suitable for overheight cargoes. Lashing rings, to which the cargo may be secured, are installed in the upper and lower side rails and the corner posts. The lashing rings may take loads of up to 1,000 kg. Usual open-top container dimensions are 20′ and 40′.
All the dimensions for 20′ and 40′ open Top Cargo Containers
| 20′ Open Top | 40′ Open Top | |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Gross Weight | 34,000kg (4,950 lb) | 45,000 kg (99,212 lb) |
| Tare Weight | 2,740 kg (6,040 lb) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lb) |
| Payload | 31,260 kg (31,260 lb) | 40,100 kg (88,409 lb) |
| External Dimensions: | ||
| Length | 6,058 mm (19′-10″) | 2,192 mm (40′-0″) |
| Width | 2,438 mm (8′-0″) | 2,438 mm (8′-0″) |
| Height | 2,591mm (8′-6″) | 2,591 mm (8′-6″) |
| Collapsible Height | 370 mm (1′-2″) | 647 mm (2′-1″) |
| Internal Dimensions: | ||
| Length (between end panels) | 6,058 mm (19′-6″) | 12,180 mm (39′-6″) |
| Length (between corner posts) | 5,612 mm (18′-2″) | 11,776 mm (38′-3″) |
| Width (over bottom side rail) | 2,210 mm (7′-2″) | 2,380 mm (7′-7″) |
| Width (between corner posts) | 2,227 mm (7′-3″) | 2,230 mm (7′-4″) |
| height (side rail to top casting) | 2,213 mm (7′-2″) | 1,995 mm (6′-4″) 0ft.3 |
