Relocating Tools: Job To Job

WNYcarpenter

I'm curious how you all transport your tools back and forth.

I have a pickup with a 6' bed, fiberglass cap with ladder rack and side tool boxes. I've emptied my vehicle many times and conscientiously repacked everything in an order that my most used tools are easiest to unload. Inevitably, the next day I need an obscure tool that's buried, or the one I decided to leave in the garage.

I've gotten proficient using the basic tools for complicated work just so I don't have to pull everything out and put it all back in at the end of the day.

any thoughts?

pruane

I use a 14' trailer. I leave it on site until I am done. (sometimes until I am paid.)

thom

I drive a one ton dually, utility body and utility cap. Plenty of room in the side boxes for just about anything. Because the trucks a dually, the boxes are double depth. I put tool boxes into the side boxes end-wise. Lumber racks on the top. Enclosed bed for pick up mtls.

Looks like one you might see a utility company own.

I only wish I'd bought a truck like this 15 years earlier.

TempestV

I have a 6foot bed on my pickup- in the bed I have a bolt down cross bed toolbox that holds all the stuff I want in my truck all the time- mecanical tools (sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers), and emergency gear (firstaid, jack, axe)
behind that I have a removeable jobsite box that holds all my construction tools (saws, belt, nails, ect)

the thinking behind this is that I can pull out the jobsite box and leave it at the job or at home when I'm not driving to work, but I still have all the mecanical and emergency tools

two problems-
-that leaves me less than two feet of space to put anything I might need beyond
my tools (going grocery shopping is a challange if I have my hockey gear with me)
-what am I going to do when I buy more tools?

I want to buy a crew cab diesel- I'm hoping that with carefull packing and removing the rear seat, I can fit the majority of my tools out of the weather and locked up- if not I have more space to carry my tools in the bed

MKamis

I started out with a cargo van, and I to this day have no idea how you guys with pickup truck manage. I have shelving on both sides, a rack for wire spools, a full roof rack, etc. and when the van is fully loaded with tools, I have an area 3' x 8.5' for materials or whatever, and it's all dry storage, so weather never bothers me. I've also found it helpful to have some storage bins dedicated to specific jobs, and I always have the tools for that job inside, for instance a box for tiling tools, one for drywall tools, etc. That way, I never question what I have in the van, just grab the box and go.

john5mt

I use a 6X12 trailer that way there is always easy access to any tools i might ever need. Working out of pickup bed is too frustrating. Besides when you do you usually have unsightly large piles of tools on the job site and dont have anywhere good to store them if you actually need to use your truck for something besides work.

Teetorbilt

I'm vans all of the way. They're covered and 360 protected by alarms. I have to add that I also have an old Ford dumptruck. IMHO, PU's are useless on a day to day basis.

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Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

I have a 6x10 trailer and really like it. As other trailer owners say, it's nice to pull up to a job and leave it if the area is safe enough. I really like the fact that you can store so much stuff with custom shelves that you can build or buy. It is like having a mobile workshop. I don't know how many times I have been saved by having the "perfect tool" at my fingertips. If I had my truck only, good chance i would not of had it.

dougchips

Another trailer vote, 6x12. Only tool in the truck is a hammer and a few drill bits. I never use the bed of my truck so for those out there who make fun of short beds buzz off.

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Teetorbilt

That's why Caddy and Lincoln build PU's.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

highlife77

I have an 8' bed with a shell in which I have a 16" wood shelf the width of the bed and about 20" deep. I have room under it to slide in plywood or drywall. When I'm not hualing that crap , I have totes which I store tools in drywall kit,plumbing kit, electrical kit..ect they slide right under it and I use the top shelf for tool boxes and buckets and bags works out great for me....but then I do have days when I'm digging for that one tool...If you have a shell this would prob. be yer best bet..unless you want a new truck..WHO DOESN'T???

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"When It Rains, It Pours"....

Mike Finley

Speaking as somebody who recently made the jump from sort of what you are doing to a trailer I can tell you that it is one of the best things we have ever done. Most of our jobs required on average 3 pickup bed loads, 1 load of tools, 1 load of tile and 1 load of materials. Our previous methods were we required garage space for our tools on every job. On the first day we would come to the site with a truck load full of tools and put them in the garage and use them for the duration of the job. Personally I can't imagine being productive by trying to keep them in the bed like you are doing. We couldn't anyways because we need that bed empty in order to bring in the other loads.

We are just putting a 7x16 trailer into service and so far it's been a great addition. We use it only as a giant tool box, and having every tool imaginable at our finger tips is already paying off in productivity gains. I would highly recommend investing in a tool trailer, even if it is a small one. You won't be sorry.

How do you manage materials if your truck is permantely filled with tools?

dougchips

Nissan Titan, full size back seat. In the bed I have a decking railing display that I was suppose to return to a vendor but it is getting a few leads so it has a new home.

Here's my Nissan plug: the resale on the trucks suck! This is my first truck that I will lose money on if I trade it in.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

highlife77

Yaeh I would like to get me one of them trailers too.

__________________
"When It Rains, It Pours"....

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

a.k.a. yuppie trucks........

Teetorbilt

Another plus for a full sized van is that it can easily be converted into a camper. Dump the tools, take off the magnetic signs, add an air bed, portti-potty, throw rods and/or rifles + food on the shelves and you are good to go.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

If this full size van is a rockin'.......well you know the rest. Mmmmmmm full size vans don't sound so bad after all.

Krazy Johnni

P30 step van that has steel shelving on both sides,it's great but it's still not big enough sometimes. I've heard to many horror store's of trailer's disappearing, two week's ago a hardwood installer had one stolen that was full of material for the next day. Just another $40000 bill to pay at the end of the month!

MKamis

When it's time for the next work vehicle, I am thinking a step van as well. Even more dry space than with the cargo van.

I love the idea of a trailer, but where I live, you are not allowed to park on the streets overnight, and most people have driveways just big enough for their 2 cars. I don't know where I would be able to park a trailer, but it would be a hell of a free advertisement when on the job!

WNYcarpenter

I have the same problem....My partner has a trailer and it works great! But I recently ran into trouble. We often have to move the trailer on weekends and he takes it home. He was going out of town the following Tuesday and called in sick on Monday. I always keep most essentials...hand tools, skill saw, drill etc....but a few things were left in the trailer! It's my fault for not looking ahead!

Also, in reference to Mike's reply....we have many one or two day jobs, sometimes multiple punch lists and Honey Dos forcing me to load everything I THINK I'll need. I don't know if anyone out there is familiar with the Chautauqua Institution in June!! The biggest nightmare for a contractor.

I think probably a van is the way to go for me in particular, but I have to admit I'm vain. I'm single with one vehicle and I don't think a Van would suit my style. Of course a van could lead to better things...