Small Cargo Trailer as Mobile Tool Box

Fawteen

Well-known Member
Location
Downeast Maine
I've been doing 3-4 days a week of general handyman work for a local business. Little bit of everything, lot of carpentry, some electrical, some mechanical, some plumbing.

I've been running around with a big pile of tools and supplies in the back seat of my double cab Tundra, and that's getting to be a huge PITA. Power cords getting tangled up, the tool or box I want is always on the bottom, etc. etc.

I grabbed a 5x8 enclosed cargo trailer off Craigslist and plan to build in shelves/racks/bins/hooks to neatly store the stuff I use on a near-daily basis.

If money was no object, I'd use the Closet Maid system as it's so customizable, but I stopped by Deep Homo today and priced individual pieces and I'd wind up spending more fitting it out than I did on the trailer.

The other end of the spectrum is to build what I need out of wood. I may wind up having to go there, but I'd really like something more flexible.

I'd appreciate input from anybody with suggestions, or even better, pictures.
 
Hello, My friend is a plumber . He had a nice cargo trailer with all his tools and supplies in it. He was working at a sawmill doing something up stairs. When he came down for something, the whole outfit was gone. He got the truck back some time later but nothing else. Maybe only take what you need for the day?? or figure some way to make it safer. Ed Will
 
(quoted from post at 16:00:52 11/15/14) Hello, My friend is a plumber . He had a nice cargo trailer with all his tools and supplies in it. He was working at a sawmill doing something up stairs. When he came down for something, the whole outfit was gone. He got the truck back some time later but nothing else. Maybe only take what you need for the day?? or figure some way to make it safer. Ed Will
was going to say pretty much the same story about a carpenter friend. Essentially lost his whole shop! Better guard the new gold mine well!
 
Fawteen,

I find wood takes up way too much room in a small area.
I think Metal shelving would be better and you could use plastic dish pans for drawers or other Dollar store plastic.

You could look into a vibration monitor not sure that's what it's called . . . years ago a guy where I worked had one for his Harley when the area kids sat on it would alert him it was moving.
 
If you go the whole hog with all your tools in the trailer I'd look at one of those GPS devices folks like finance companies put on cars and truck they're afraid will disappear. As for the organization, watch Craig's List and garage sales and auctions for things you may be able to re-purpose, a few years back I got two older two drawer file cabinets at auction that were very heavy, they cost me a dollar and are excellent tool storage. Another place to look would be a Habitat for Humanity ReStore for cabinets, benches and office furniture. I've done some heavy duty shelves with $5.00 ReStore solid core doors and 2x4's. Lockers also work well if you can find them.
 
Yea, I'm looking at some metal shelving that might work. I like that it has a "button-and-keyhole" system for mounting the adjustable shelves.

Only problem is no lip to keep things from sliding off, but that can be dealt with.

As far as security, I have basically one customer and do 90% of my work at his business. I know everybody that works there to one degree or another. Can't be any worse than leaving the tools laying in the back seat of my unlocked truck.

I may change my mind as I gain experience, but Plan A is for the trailer to remain hooked (and locked) to the truck and have it follow me home every night.

I've also briefly considered whether or not to announce my business via a sign on the trailer and decided stealth is the way to go. I'm supposed to be retired, I'm not trying to drum up any more business.
 
I have a close friend in the grading business. He has 3 pipeline crews and each foreman has a cargo trailer that has stuff like his transit, chains, pipe fittings, tools, glue, etc.
 
Take a look at contractortalk dot com look under tools and equipment there is a sticky for job trailers. It's awesome guys put pictures of there trailers
 

I think that it is a good idea. Pretty much all of the small contractors around here use trailers to maximize their use of time. I used to run four trucks, primarily for delivery but it was necessary to carry parts and tools as well. I built shelves out of the plated steel stock that has all the holes and slots in it. you can pick out what you wan to use for bins then build the shelves the right width for the bins.
 
Always park your trailer where you cannot get the doors open at night. They are prime pickings for thieves.
 
On a job I was on the contractor backed his two semi-trailer/job shop trailers back to back for the weekend to prevent thievery. I guess the battery sawzalls work pretty good! the thieves just cut a hole in the obscure side of the trailer and stole the tools. Take your trailer home with you ALWAYs. gobble
 
I have a toy hauler that I keep my tools in when on the road working. I use several job boxes that keep my tools organized. I also stay in the RV about 30 feet ahead of the tools. No problem with theft. At least not so far.
 
Too many times I've heard of business with tool trailers getting stolen, tools and all.
I have 3 tool boxes on my GMC. I will never leave my truck outside at night. Locked up in either garage or pole barn with a security system.
A few times I've gone to town my 3 large tool boxes are saying, ROB ME KNOW. I have shovel, gas cans, and utility cart taken from the bed of my truck while parked in a store's parking lot.
I have a cable and lock in the bed of my truck. I use if I something of value in the bed. Once I came out of Menards, a man was standing next to my truck, he was parked next to mine. I could tell he was eying the stuff I had in bed. He said to me he was watching my truck. Yea, watching to see if anyone was watching him rob me.
If you get a trailer, get a good one, keep it locked up inside a building and perhaps put a tracking device on it. A chain and a padlock is worthless. I can prove it to you with my 24 inch bolt cutter or my cordless grinder.
 
Take a look on Govdeals. I've seen cabinets, shelves, bins, etc on there may times that would lend themselves great to what your wanting to do.

Another thing is find your local salvage yards and see if any of them have vans or box trucks that have been brought in that have bins in them. I work for a couple of yards local to me, and it makes me sick the value of the bins, etc I've seen come through in a 'salvage' vehicle and get sent to scrap with it. Often you can get them stuff you need for a little over scrap value, as that's all it's really worth to the yard.
Govdeals
 
Guy I used to know had the south end of a Ford pickup with the tool box body like a READING body. It had the frame cut and welded up so you hooked it to the back of the trunk as a neet little trailer. Could hook it to any tow hitch you wanted. Neetest little rig I ever saw!!
 
For security can put sign saying caution live rattle snakes. Below sign saying exterminator and pest removal! But do put some sort of GPS tracking system on truck and trailer.
Ypop
 
Folks, I truly appreciate the time taken to think through and type out the input, but there's one thing going on here that mars the experience:

I asked for advice/examples of ways to store tools in the trailer.

I didn't ask for 59 reasons why it's a bad idea and warnings about getting my tools stolen. While that's a valid concern, it has nothing whatever to do with the question at hand.

This is a great community and a valuable resource, but staying on topic is not our best quality.
 
(quoted from post at 04:14:46 11/16/14) Folks, I truly appreciate the time taken to think through and type out the input, but there's one thing going on here that mars the experience:

I asked for advice/examples of ways to store tools in the trailer.

I didn't ask for 59 reasons why it's a bad idea and warnings about getting my tools stolen. While that's a valid concern, it has nothing whatever to do with the question at hand.

This is a great community and a valuable resource, but staying on topic is not our best quality.

I answered your question on topic, but remember most of us see these forums as much like a coffee shop where the conversation will always wander.
 
You ask a trick question Fawteen. Your question was as much political as mechanical. You see most people can not figure out how to store things so they can get at them quickly and easily in the kitchen or garage let alone in a cargo trailer. When a question is political the only way to answer is in a way that will take weaknesses of the person being ask and shift it away from that weakness. In the political mind you must have talking points to deflect any weakness. The first post involved theft and those weak on organizing items say to themselves " ya, that's it, theft". Now if the first post had a shift to tire size you would have had a "ya, that's it, tires". :)^D
 
I take my trailer home most every night. That was also a question my insurance agent asked me. I am in the process of putting together (organizing) another trailer. One thing I noticed with most contractor friends is that they build/organize too heavy. It may work ok for them, as they pull the trailer to the job, and leave it there till done. And YES, many have gotten robbed. A pair of tin snips will open the roof. Myself, I pull a trailer all over the country side every day. Yes, it's organized, but the new one will be better yet. Here's a few tips: 1.)When putting together shelves, etc., don't just build, build light(Engineer). 2.)Don't bother with a front lip on shelves unless needed. Slope the shelves in-ward. 3.)Items used most should have easier access. 4.)Shelves should have adjustable dividers.
 
Good point on sloping the shelves!

I made a note of that and will incorporate it into the setup.

I've been sketching ideas and notes. It's a lot easier to erase and redraw than undo something you find you don't like.
 
If you walked a little further down the aisle at the Home Depot you would have found the Closet Maid "clone" products that are about 1/3 the price, but every bit as good, and 100% compatible.

That's what I used to outfit my trailer.

Be aware that you won't get it right the first time. You will go through some iterations.
 
Make your shelves slightly deeper and install Plexiglass sliding doors, you can see what's on each shelf and in the confines of a trailer work better than swing-out doors.

:>)
 

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