Attaching metal tube or pipe to shipping containers | Complete Guide

Metal tubes are a useful and versatile fixing point. Attaching them to a shipping container opens up a wide range of possibilities.

In this blog, we’ll show you how to attach pipe, tube, and scaffolding to a container using our clamp solutions. By using Domino Clamps, you can easily mount tubes in various orientations — vertically or horizontally — with tube sizes ranging from 21mm to 114mm. Whether you need to set up floodlights, banners, or signage, our tube and pipe clamp solutions provide a strong and flexible mounting option.

We'll cover what sizes and types of tubes you can use, how they can be mounted, and what kinds of projects they're suited for.

What products can I use to attach scaffolding and other metal tube to a shipping container? 

Domino Clamps are a versatile and reusable method to attach almost anything to a shipping container. The Domino Clamps attach to the container's corner castings, providing secure and non-damaging attachment points for various items from lighting, CCTV and signage to structural attachments like walkways. They offer a reusable and easy-to-install solution without the need for welding or drilling.

The tube and pipe clamps which we will take a look at in this article bolt directly to the Domino Clamp.

 

 

Tube Clamps

Tube clamps, also sometimes called key clamps or kee clamps, are, we think, the best solution out there in most cases for attaching pipe or tubing to a container. They are very strong, simple to use, and can be used in multiple orientations. We have a number of options which bolt directly to a Domino in three different sizes and in three different orientations.

View our tube clamps here.

Unistrut Pipe Clamps/Saddle Clamps

Using Unistrut bolted to the Domino Clamp, you can use their extensive range of pipe clamps to fix a large range of diameter pipe and tube to your shipping container, both horizontally and vertically. We stock options for tubes from 21mm to 114mm in diameter. (½”  to 4” NPS pipe)

View our unitrust pipe clamps here.

What size tube clamps can be bolted to Domino Clamps?

We offer tube clamps (Interclamp’s palm railing fittings) for three common steel tube sizes: 48mm, 42mm, and 34mm. These can be mounted vertically to a shipping container.

Tube clamps for both horizontal orientations are available in 48mm only.

If you need to attach larger diameter tubes - from 48mm up to 114mm outside diameter (OD) - we recommend using our Unistrut pipe clamp assemblies.

For more information on imperial and metric pipe and tube sizes read our ultimate guide here

*Please note that some manufactures and retailers may quote these numbers slightly differently, give or take 0.2mm, so rest assured if you see tube clamps marked as 33.9mm, they are for the same tube as another company’s 33.7mm.

In which orientations can I attach steel tube to a shipping container? 

There are four main orientations that you can fix the tube to your shipping container:

Attach a tube vertically from a single corner casting 

Using a vertical tube clamp (also known as single unbored or undrilled palm railing tube clamp), you can attach a short tube vertically up the side of, or above the container. As used in our signpost example and our half height floodlight kit. 

All of our Unistrut pipe clamp assemblies will also attach the tube vertically from a single corner casting- we recommend using two Unistrut assemblies per Domino Clamp to do this. Since there is only one point of contact with the container here, we recommend only using this for shorter tubes and relatively lightweight applications. 

 

Attach a tube vertically from two corner castings

Using a vertical tube clamp set (also known as pair of palm railing tube clamps, one bored and one unbored), you can attach a long tube vertically up the side of, and above the container which will extend almost 4mts over the roof of your container. This uses two Domino Clamps for extra strength, and is great for getting floodlights and flags really high up. As used in our full height, wide area floodlight kit. 

All of our Unistrut pipe clamp assemblies can also be used in pairs to attach tube vertically in this manner. 

 

Attach a tube horizontally, parallel to the container side

Using a single horizontal (parallel) tube clamp (also known as a palm railing tube clamp), you can attach a steel tube along the side of a container, top or bottom, along either the short or the long side of your container. Please note this is currently only available in a 48mm option.

Our Unistrut pipe clamps can also attach tubes horizontally along the container, with either one or two pipe clamp assemblies per Domino Clamp. 

Attach a tube horizontally, perpendicular to the container’s side 

Using a horizontal (perpendicular) tube clamp (also called base flange tube clamp), you can attach a short tube horizontally sticking out from the side of the container. As used in our horizontal tube video and jokingly used as a chin up bar. Please note this is only available in a 48mm option.

What can I attach to a shipping container with Domino Clamps using tube or pipe clamps? 

Our customers use steel tube as a fixing point for a wide range of things. Floodlights, CCTV and wireless communications senders and receivers all benefit from being high up, and so are well suited being held in place using our vertical tube clamp set (also known as tube clamp set for vertical tube) which comprises of two tube clamps, with one of them bored through.

 

Lightweight attachments such as smaller CCTV cameras and smaller LED lighting make good use of a single vertical tube clamp on the top corner casting.

Horizontal tube clamps can be used for attaching signs, lighting and vertical banners, using our horizontal (perpendicular) tube clamp which holds the tube to the side of the container (sticking out!)

Finally, banners, temporary cladding, lighting and cabling can be safely fixed along the top or bottom edges of a container using our horizontal (parallel) tube clamps which attach a tube parallel to the sides of the container.

All our pipe and tube clamps come complete with M12 hex head screws and M12 washers for fixing to the Domino Clamps.

Which pipe or tube clamp solution is right for me?

Interclamp tube clamps are designed to fit steel tubing that meets BS EN 10255 (ISO 65) standards, in medium to heavy gauge, or equivalent tubing in other metals like aluminum. Tubes must have a wall thickness of at least 3.2mm for compatibility.

Because these clamps rely on a snug fit, 48mm clamps are unlikely to fit 50mm ERW steel tubes, as they are slightly too large and often have thinner walls. We recommend using standard scaffold tubes in the UK or Schedule 40 pipes in the USA.

Unistrut pipe clamps are more adaptable to slight variations in outside diameter. For example, the 1½” NB clamp can accommodate tubes with a 50mm OD. These clamps do not rely on grub screws, making them ideal for pipes with a wall thickness under 3.2mm or made from weaker materials like Acrylic or PVC.

 

Attaching Tube or Pipe to a Shipping Container playlist

 

More tips & guides for your project:

If you are attaching tube along the length of a 20’ or 40’ shipping container, find out how our roof brackets to prevent sagging or bowing. 

Planning to add multiple accessories to your shipping container? Check out our Utility pole and range of accessories.

If you are unsure which tube or pipe clamps are best for your project, comment below or send us an email.