Wanting an enclosed trailer becuase I am tired of leaving them exposed to leering eyes and weather. I currently have a 5×10 utility trailer and the space is fine for most of what I carry. But it is only a matter of timer before I run into a Lowes or Homo depot for a,…whatever,.. and come out to find my mitre saw gone.
Soooo, I am in the first stage of my problem,…actually the second stage, (the first would be to acknowledge I have a problem).
Ramp door or barn doors? 6×12 or 7×14? dual axle or single?
Let me know hwat you have seen and what you might suggest for a single guy operation.
thanks
Replies
This would be a candidate for FAQ
You'll get some answers, but why you are waiting click on the "advanced search" in the upper left and put in trailers or "enclosed trailers"
all kinds of good info
Several hasps and locks outside, a padlocked chain on the inside to slow 'em down just in case (set up so you can just reach in to work the padlock), an an alarm. I like the barn doors, but the ramp door may be easier to secure.
But it is only a matter of timer before I run into a Lowes or Homo depot for a,...whatever
You're running into Homo Depot(!!!!!) for a whatever??? Don't think I want to go shopping in your neighborhood, lol!!
Thats the problem, years ago nobody would touch anything. in today world in the finest neigborhood they will rob you blind. evert thought of a plywood hinge top on your open trailer until you can buy your new trailer.
No one knows the storage you need except you.
Tim
Narrower is better if you have to back it into tight areas...easier to see around in your truck mirrors. Tandem axle pulls better, weighs more and requires brakes in most states( I'd get 'em anyway).
My next trailer will be 6x12, tandem axle. There's a local builder that makes all steel trailers...more secure. The downside of steel is weight and possible rust. Good looking trailers and you can spec it the way you want it...competitive pricing, too.
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PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
It really depends on what exactly you are hauling around for tools and materials. I am mostly a one-man operation, geared more towards finish carpentry, but still doing some remodels, new construction, etc.
I went with a 7x14 tandem axle, with the double barn doors on the back. I have floor to ceiling shelves on one side and a small workbench across the front. This leaves plenty of room for hauling cabinets and other materials. The 14' length will let you easily haul 12' materials. I went with the double axle for the increased hauling capacity and a smoother ride; normally its not an issue for me, unless I'm hauling all my pipe scaffolding or some other heavy load. Tandem axle trailers will also come with electric brakes to save the extra wear on your pickup brakes. I would probably get a ramp door next time- gets tiring making the big step up everytime. The other option would be to get a Featherlight or similar that ride much closer to the ground.
The trailer I ended up with is quite a bit larger than what I initially set out to buy, but I have never regretted it. I can easily carry everything needed to build a house, frame to finish.
Top-side ladder racks are another option. I didnt get them, feeling it was easier just to throw the ladders inside the trailer for transport or for secure storage at night. But if you haul longer items, they may be handy.
Hope this helps,
Mike
send me a pic if you can! You are exactly in my postion. I do mostly finish work and bathroom remodels.
I've got a pretty similar rig. All aluminum V-front, dual axle barn doors 14' x 7' high. I thrown ladders in and on the truck and truck rack.Occasionally, there are places that are tight getting in and out, but I like that I can haul 16' trim pieces in this because of the V-prow in the 14' box.if I were a one man operation, I might have gone with a 12' trailer, but always on dual axles.Maybe I have a photo or two here someplace...
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Don't know what you have to support multiple balls (is that good straight line or not).But here are a couple of options.http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Hitch_Balls/Hitch_rite/quick_change_universal_trailer_ball_hitches.htmA receiver with balls and/or hooks on each of the 4 sides.http://www.accessconnect.com/convert-a-ball.htmThis is single spindel that will take different size balls.
Forget the trailers and buy an old chevy/gmc low deck step van. 12'-14' boxes available, enough height to stand in and plenty of room for storage, work bench and material. I even have a heater, micro wave and coffee maker mounted in mine(just for those really nasty Pacific N.W. days). Have owned it for 12 yrs and it is absolutely the best thing going.
Edited 11/24/2006 9:47 pm ET by dovetail97128
@@ Step van...
Got any pictures of the interior?
Like to show the boss. We could use something like this. The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I had a 12' old Ryder van for close to ten years. Finally parked it near the shop for a place to recievedeliveries. It is now in need of too much maint but the box is good storage.In this state, trailers are a better deal, because of less maint and because of cheaper insurance and registration costs. Also, with the trailer, I can leave it on the job with the rew while I run off to do and estimate, go to lunch of do a Dr.'s appointment and not be inconvenienced. With the big truck, for small jobs, I had to make it be two places at once.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
To All,
This is one of those issues that there is no "right or wrong" to. I regret my comment of " forget the trailer".. I just go with what works for me .. there are +/- to both trailers and vans. toolbear ,
here you go . It isn't pretty but has worked for years for me. The shelves are empty of tools right now as I am involved in a major interior addition that allows me to store them onsite safely. Normally every shelf is stacked and packed. I kept the cab end of the shelves and bench short of the cab to allow storage of tall items (brooms, shovels, long breaking bars, etc) The cross shelves at the front of the box hold clamps, straight edges, wrecking bars , cats paws, etc. etc.
The 3"ABS fitting in the one photo is there so that I can feed power into and air lines out of the box without having the roll up door open, keeps the box dry and warm (not to mention lusting eyes out )I just drilled thru the side of the box and put a plug in the inside end of the fittings. The compressor is bolted down and never leaves the van .
One nice thing is I can bring the truck home at nite, plug it into the house current and run the heater on low at night to dry out my gear after a really wet day .
I would personally go with a 14' box next time, but I paid $4,000 for this rig in about 91, and it had a new "crate" motor installed with only 1500 miles on it at the time.
Edited 11/25/2006 12:54 pm ET by dovetail97128
Thanks for the pix.
Microwave, coffemaker and out of the rain will take the edge off those fine NorthWet winters. It looks very comfy.
How do you power the big Emglo and the internals? Run cord in from the jobsite power thru the 3" fitting to a distribution box? External plug-in?
Our work is mostly with HOAs and we cannot get trailers in a lot of these projects and park them. A box truck - we can find parking for that. Somewhere.
My van works well. It can park just about anywhere. But it lacks microwave, coffee maker, compressors, etc. However, it does have a computer work station and laptop <g>.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Here's a pic of my trailer. It's a 5x10 Wells Cargo with ramp rear door, nose cone and side door.I had planned on getting a larger model, but ran into this one used for $1700 and new it would've cost $4300 as equipped.Almost wish I had rear doors instead of the ramp as I could store a lot of stuff on the the inside of the doors and it'd be easier to get in and out of the rear for a quick grab.I am a one man operation and this trailer hauls just about all of the tools needed for any type of remodeling I might encounter.Plated the interior with 3/4 plywood and built a sheet goods rack that'll hold 7-9" of 4x8 whatever.JT
whoa, julian. you are way beyond organized...
View ImageMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
With such a small trailer, you have to be, else it gets messy in a quickness.JT
If you would systemize your trailer I think you could fit more tools inside! Just kidding, great looking set up
Have a good day
Cliffy
I see that when you buy t6ools its top of the line for you!I had thought about hanging some stuff from my doors, but was not sure how they would handle the weight over time and transport. How are the hinges holding up on yours?
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Seems ok - check out the caselogic "Spacelogic" brand of organizer hangers. Good stuff - lifetime warranty. Only place I've seen them is Sears or Pep Boys.Keeps a bunch of crap out of a bucket - that's for sure.JT
Space logic - got it. That was going to be my next question - whether those pocket hangers were from Duluth or somebody else. Thanks
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toolbear,
I run a #10 or #12 cord in thru the ABS fitting. Temp. power poles out here normally have two 220 outlets so I can run my rig off one and leave the other open for others use. Every thing about this rig was done as simply as possible, I just didn't take the time to fancy it up. "keep it simple stupid"
@@ I run a #10 or #12 cord in thru the ABS fitting.
I should take a look at that method. Use a pair of 45s or 90s?
How to keep the rain and such out when parked or underway (cap it?)
We have some Habitat trailers that could use cord access when closed. Perhaps that way they would have charged batteries in the morning <g>.
I could find and install the proper recessed male fitting. Or I could PVC it.
I can see running some 3" up thru the floor close aboard the wall. I can see a trailer waste gate fitting as a closer. A 3" plastic ball valve? A trash bag stuffed in? The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
toolbear ,
I used a 3" ABS street ell, glued into a male threaded adapter, push that out thru the van wall ( the whole has to be just large enough to accept the threads but not the shoulder of the adapter) and then outside I used a female threaded adapter that I glued the the threads on and tightened up against the van body. (work fast here , two people helps)
I cut off the excess length of the female adapter from beyond the "nut" and am left with about a 1" protrusion. Inside the 45 is turned facing up so it is self draining. A simple test cap , one of the rubber expansions with the wing nut, is pushed into the ell.
I choose the side because I didn't want to be crawling thru the mud to deal with things.
Inside I ran romex to two duplex boxes, one above the bench , one under it. From one of them I made up a pig tail that has a male 110 v. plug end on and simply plug into the end of the 110v cord, another 220 cord runs the compresser( although my compresser is a 110/220 it is always happier on the 220)
I do try to plug the 110 cord into a 20 amp outlet whenever I can .. after all when lunch rolls around the heater, coffee maker for fresh coffee and the micro wave to the hot lunch do tend to pull some amps. <G>
Now that I think about it my inspectors have quit hasseling me since I offer them a warm, dry, place to look over the prints and have a cup of coffee while they are at it! (donuts not included!)
One other item , after finding that someone had tried to gain entry to the van box thru the roll up door I drilled the track just above the top roller of door when in closed position and hang a pad lock thru it when leaving for any extended period of time. Prevents the door from being forced.
Thumbs up for the Habitat work , I also spend time with them when I can ... They also recieve all my used but still servicable tools , materials etc.
Thanks, that sounds like an elegant fix. Like the test plug. Simple.
Last time they emptied our trailer, they just cut the locks on the side door. We should really think of puck locks.
Time before, a trailer was parked at the warehouse. That just drove off. Gets old. Wonder about that DeWalt service.
Inspector, coffee, donut, dry place, pouring rain outside. What a nice way to get signed off.
Mood music? What music to get signed off by? Paschabel's Canon in D? Soothing.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
tolbear,
The "towed off" has happened to several friends of mine, one of the reasons I choose the van.
Now what might do to help prevent that do is fix up an alarm that a friend of mine has..something he created and installed after his trailer was stolen: seperate battery , loop tape player hooked up to his alarm. He cut a hole thru the front of his van box, mounted the player and battery inside with a speaker facing out, the whole assembly is inside a steel box with it's own lock bolted to the shelf it sits on.
The tape plays a very simple message: " Help, This vehicle has been stolen , please call the police!" At boom box decibles it is very effective
I like the idea of the recording. My trailer is locked up with a tounge lock a tire boot and its chained to a tree. Alos if one of my backhoes is handy I park that in front with the hoe in the tounge. The trailers not going anywhere without the backhoe moved.Good Lock finding the kill switch.Way I see it though if they can Move the backhoe,cut the chain get the tire boot and tongue lock off, get it out of the fenced in yard and get past the security cameras all without the loyal 260 lb tenant who lives above my office coming out and kicking there a@# they can have it.
cuta.. here's our 7x14 dual, with side door, barn rear doors, electric brakes
Factory installed : E-track
Roof racks
i'd get the same thing again, but i would add the wedge-nose option
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very nice! That is exactly what i want. I am currrently praying to run into a divorce deal or an elderly widow who will, either vendictively or ignorantly let one go for cheap. Wish me luck!
You need to duck to walk inside that one?
Looks low from here.I got mine for about five grand just before AL or steel prices started going up.
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no... it's a hi-boy.. i forget.. 7'-2" or so.. maybe 7'
i think this was about $4,700..... but lettering & putting a hitch & controls on my old truck added another $600
the new truck came with the trailer package... just slip the hitch into thje keeper & plug in the electronics Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Between my tool trailer, dump trail;er, and my other dump trailer, I need three different ball and hitch sizes. Don't know what I would do without reciever hitches!Last summer shortly after a client arrived, his boat trailer was left parked right in the way in his turn-around. So I asked if he would like it moved. ( turned out that the marina had just left it there for him after putting the boat in) he said certainly, the only reason his caretaker had not yet moved it out of the way was that he didn't have the right size ball.My big mouth openned right up and said, "With all the different trailers I have, I've got all kinds of balls"His nanny was climbing out of the back seat of the car just in time to hear the last half of that. She winked, smiled and said, "I'll bet you do!"I had to wait for the red flush to clear from my face before I could move his trailer for him.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Ha ha... I went to the community theatre to hang lights for a play, as I do 2-3 times per year. At the first rehearsal the director, a very prim and proper lady, asks me "are you hung?". There were only about 30 people standing around in a circle on the stage when she asked that. Of course I said yes.
That was the biggest laugh I had today!
Have a good day
Cliffy
we had on like that. It got stolen, we called cop. it got paid by insurance, then a year later, we was talking about it and a junior engineer claimed, Oh it at my house. I use it when I moved a year ago and havent had time to bring it back. Talking about wanting to kill someone.
I went on a service call with a window guy who showed up in a Isuzu low-cab 15' box truck. He had a bit of a shop setup inside and plenty of storage. Got it for about $12K with quite a few years left on it.
My problem is that to tow any sort of trailer I'd have to get a new truck. And, half the places I go would be miserable for backing and parking with a trailer. Only a handful of guys here have trailers.
you put four trailer jacks on that you could lift it off if you need the trailer. good idea. I like it.
If your looking for one your thankyourself for getting a tandem axle. Rides like a dream. I got a 8X16 foot tandem. Elctric brakes fornt and rear, ramp door ladder rack. Beauty trailer. I wouldn't get the ladder racks. Factory installed ones a garbaage, Flimsy and over priced. My buddies a welder he made a nice one for me. I could probably roll my trailer and not do a thing. My trailers got shelves all round for my tools and big Miller welder/generator that runs my compressor and a whole site. Got air hose and cords on reels out the back to get air and power wherever I need it.
Depending on your job duration a trailer can be a PITA. My typical jobs run 1-2 days -sometimes I hit 2-3 jobs/day. The trailer can be difficult to maneuver in/out driveways, parking in town - even at the lumber yard - is a hassle. Also, I travel mostly over gravel roads here in VT and my tools are getting destroyed in the trailer. Everything is lashed in place with an Etrack-type set-up or otherwise secured but there's enough jarring forces that things are still getting busted up - the trailer suspension just can't deal with it.
After 2 years of dragging it around almost every day I'm probably making the switch to a van or service body/utility truck. Now, if I was set-up on one site for days or weeks at a time the trailer would be great.
-Norm
All true. If I were on the run that way I'd have a Sprinter
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Nice rig!
Have a good day
Cliffy
I had a 7 x 14 enclosed single axle and thought it was great, and it was. I did then realize that I had it over loaded all the time and I aquired a 7 X 16 dual axle with ramp door. I am in heaven now! I did have all sorts of things hung on my old two barn doors and broke the hinges from all of the weight so the ramp it is. I love the ramp. If having all of your tools and commonly used supplies means alot to you, then a trailer is the easiest way to do it. I do not have a nose cone but would rather have it. If size did not matter, I think one of the handiest trailers would be the 7 x 12 dual axle with a three foot nose cone. The trailer whether bought new or used, will pay for itself many times over. Here are two pics of my 16 footer.
well thought out response. Informative, insightful and a visual. Answered all my questions. You get an "A" .
thanks
I have to agree with you on the dual axle trailer. I ended up getting a 7x14 footer bout a year ago. Didn't need the 16 footer because of the tight spaces I sometimes have to back into. Just a couple of pics of my rig. As you can see I got a lot of black and yellow in there. Being organized is the hardest part. Between the wife and the hired help, it's fairly easy to keep things in their place. Questions and comments welcome.
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trailers are like boats. just get the biggest one your truck will pull or you'll outgrow it before you get moved into it.
I bought a 7x18 with extra headroom. the trailer has easily paid for itself over again with increased productivity. And theres plenty of room to haul my harley to the dealer with
Very sharp looking rig.
Pardon my fat fingers.
http://www.hay98.com/