Let's Discuss The Van Trailer Thing Again

JPV123

I currently have a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad CAb Shortbed. I need more space. I'm a G.C. who subs electrical, plumbing and drywall. I usually do alot of the other work myself with my (business) partner. We just hired 1 carpenter and 1 apprentice. In 2006 I plan on swinging hammers 2 days a week and the rest of the week doing the business things (estimates, pick up material, managing projects...) I plan on either buying a van or an enclosed utility trailer (6X12 or 7X14). I like the idea of dropping off the trailer, getting the job started, unhooking the trailer, leave my guys & trailer working, go do my running aroung with the P/U and return later to pick up the trailer. But I think all the hooking and unhooking wiull be a PITA. I also can't keep the trailer on my driveway due to H.O. Assoc rules. So I have to hook and unhook every day at a storage facility 3 miles from my house . I also don't like not having the tools at my house. Next is the van. It's a very clean 2000 E-250 extended van, original owner garaged in a warehouse with 58,000 miles on it. Only 2 seats, I'm guessing it will be noisey driving hearing the cargo in the back, Wherever I go the tools come with me (I guess there is good and bad to that). Can't use it on the weekends with the family (3 kids). I CAN park it on my driveway . Either way will give me the space I need. Which way would you go? No Box Truck Replys please. I know there are great (my friend uses one) It's just not for me right now, maybe in a few years.

MinConst

JP,
I work with a 6x16 that I can stand up in, along with a full 8' bed pickup. I don't haul much materials in the trailer just my tools. It is nice in bad weather to be able to cut in it. You say your thinking about dropping of the trailer for the guys on site. Will these guys have their own tools or would you be carrying them? If you carry them and they need them you won't have your truck to go elsewhere. If they have their own then it is different. Being able to unhook the trailer and use the truck for other things is why I went the route I did. I can park it in my driveway though. Hooking and unhooking isn't all that bad. I find it better than loading and unloading my truck with tools every day. Much easier to organize tools in the trailer. But a Van would be as easy except there is no standing up without a tall customization. All in all I guess you will be the one to make the decision as you know what you need better than us. Just wanted to say I like the trailer setup myself. I can use my truck for my wife and I when we need it for something.
Good luck and let us know which way you go.

__________________
Paul
Minichillo's Construction
Website
I will never leave you hanging!

firemike

Hi JPV,

I did the triailer thing or a while, it was good in theory but didn't work out in practice. I had a 1 ton extended van that I used, but having to empty it out every time I needed to get a few sheets of drywall or plywood was a real pain. I thought the trailer would be the answer- keep the big tools in the trailer and keep the smaller everyday "service" type tools in the van. Plus I thought the trailer would be great because I could tow it to the job and leave it for the guys to work out of (when I had a crew.)

The problems arose when I would go to do a small job, taking the tools I thought I would need. I would do that job and the client would say "As long as your here can you do..." Well... the tools I need to do that are in the trailer at the house or at another job. Now I have to either come back another day, or go get the tools, and have to tell the customer it will cost more because of the added time or additional trip. Around here (Metro Detroit) it can be an hour drive or more to go 15 miles during rush hours.

Then the city got on me about parking it in my driveway. I could have a motor home, boat, snowmobiles, ect. in the drive, but not a utility trailer. I either had to keep it in the garage or store it off-site. Keeping it in the garage was a pain becasue my shop is in my garage, so whenever I wanted to work in the shop, I had to pull the trailer out. I didn't trust it being stored off site either.

I ended up selling the trailer and going back to just the van. I don't have a crew anymore so that is not an issue. One suggestion when looking at vans, and if you use sheet goods, get one that you can stand sheet goods on edge in, makes things much easier, you don't have to unload so much. If you decde on the van, and theft in your area is a factor, get the window screens and an alarm, possibly aftermarket door locks. I had an alarm on mine, (no window screens at time, my dumb a$$.) We were at a job in Detroit, and when we heard the alarm go off, we were outside by the van within 12 to 15 seconds, but they had already smashed the window, opened the doors, and took of with $700 worth of tools, and we didn't even see them. That is the one dawback of vans, poor security without adding the screens, added locks, etc.

drunkrussian

I suggest the van. I love mine. 89 e-150. I'm able to keep just about everything I need in it, and it doesn't restrict me to where I have to park. Some places parking a trailer will be a PITA, or if its too crowded at a site i'm not getting angry looks from everyone else. One suggestion, play around w/ organizing it, use the full volume of the van and you will be suprised at how much can fit.

Only thing I don't like, no 4wd, horrible mileage (an 89 though) and not very stylish. Thats why in addition to a van I'm getting a truck for crap weather, better mileage, and days where I would like to drive something a little nicer for an after work event.

bob the builder

That's funny that you mention that. I worked about 5 years or so with the van. 4 man crew whenever we would drive over 30 minutes or so we would all pile in the van on bucket's or whatever. After a while we had found every thing that rattled and screwed it down or used bungee's. I hated working out of the van. The floor space was always full, hard to keep it organized. Putting in something extra like a brake or a cut table or even a wheel barrow was a real pain also. It really depends on your situation and it sounds like a trailor would be a hastle for you.

For me trailor stays on jobsite for entire job mostly 2-3 weeks, bring it home on weekends. I can't image not having it. I have a 16x7' trailor with a 7' headroom and it is stocked as full as I want it. If I did little jobs I don't think it would work well. Or working in areas where I would have to worry about theft.

Bob

Robie

I have a Quad cab with 8' bed, covered with a fiberglass cap. I also pull a 6 x 10 trailer most of the time. I do a lot of handy-man type stuff, so I have the trailer chuck full of tools and supplies.
Also, I have utilized the indents inside the bed that hold 2 x 6's so you can lay a sheet of ply over them. It gives you a raised bed with sheet good storage underneath.
Dealing with a trailer just becomes second nature after a while and only takes less than 5 minutes to hook-up.
I gave a van some thought, but like you, didn't want to deal with all the noise and stuff rattling around.
The trailer also gets used as an emergency toity when there just ain't no other choice. A bucket with a snap-on toilet lid has come in handy a few times.

__________________

If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. ~Alan Simpson

G@PC

For me a 6x12 trailer works the best. Fortunately, I have the space in the driveway and in my area security isn't a major concern. It all depends on what you want it for. I tow with a 1500 GMC Sierra ext cab short bed and I no problem at all. The trailer affords me to bring everything I would possibly need and limited materials as well. Also serves as a toidy too (LOL) My partner uses it "frequently". All in all best thing I could have done. Sure beats pulling into HD or local lumber yard and having to leave someone at the truck so all your stuff is still there when you come out.

Tin Cup

tried about every combo even 14' box grunman. all the ups, fedex, and bread truck drivers kept waiving at me.

best for me is '07 chev. 1500 w/t pickup w/8'bed, trakrack sliding ladder racks, slid forward unless hauling ladders or long lumber, carpet, conduit, whatever, also has rollup tonneau cover which fits inside the rails of the ladder rack rails. small light items can be carried without getting wet or blowing out. roll up to haul larger or taller stuff. bed liner, with plywood on bottom ripped in half so i can easily slide out to reach anything way back, plywood seems to keep tool buckets, etc. from sliding around. bed also serves as dumpster when needed.

1st time i haven't had a 4x4 truck, but been o.k. so far. put a layer of brick pavers in bed then plywood on top, adds alot of weight without changing the space much.

Also, 6'x10' cargo trailer, fitted with shelves and large tool box up front, carry fold up tables, 13' & 21' adjustable ladders, can haul sheet goods just like p/up bed when needed. only take trailer when i'm not sure what tools and supplies i need. parked in driveway plug in shore power w/electric oil-filled heater to keep tools/caulk/chemicals warm.

rig looks good in the neighborhood, neighbors wouldn't complain anyway since they have to ask me how to fix stuff. my garage is place to be with t.v., heat, good lighting, and firepit on wheels for driveway.

Tin Cup

rex

i thought a trailer was they way to go for a long time...well for me and what i do it sucks its nice for the big jobs but i do every thing in this trade and its not working out well....so its for sale i bought a 1 ton van with a service body on it and its working out great.....before the trailer i had a cube van sold it cause i wanted to tow a trailer also had a extended van and storage was a pain

i still have the dually and the 16' trailer id like to sell the trailer and buy a stand up utility cap for the truck....2006 interstate 16' black trailer for sale 3300 firm

leakygoose

Vans I believe are the only way to go. I'm driving #5 which is the first new one I ever bought. I wish they were affordable w/4 wheel drive,its like the dam thing can get stuck in its' own shadow.I can't understand way guys pull around trailers all the time,waste of gas/ time.Yes I've heard all the arguments , I need all this stuff . I say get organized . You know were your going each and every day and the jobs you specialize in don't change much day to day. Take the tools you need and it all fits in a van .Being a finish carpenter takes a lot of tools and lots of other stuff more I think than any other trade ,just look around at a job site . The van is the way to go. Now I'll say I've been lured to the dark side once and tried a pick up w/cap but that was short lived. Can't believe any carpenter in his right mind would crawl on their hands and knees in and out just to drive a nice truck. I can't lie I do own a 4 wheel drive truck but my 17 year old son drives it [safe]. Yes at times I need to haul material and my scaffolding/ladders and when the truck is nowhere in site I'll hook up the utility trailer and go. Like I said you've got to be organized.

smitty58

I have a truck/trailer combo now and in the past had a E-350 van. The van worked pretty well ,but you have to stay very organized due to somewhat limited space. You can buy nice shelving units designed for just about any trade. The other plus to a van is they are easy to find for sale ,are usually less expensive than a pickup ,and are a rolling billboard.
I think a van and an open trailer for when you need to haul material or big equipment would be a better setup than a pickup and enclosed trailer.

I would like to see some pics of van setups.

buildenterprise

I've got an '04 E350 15 passenger van I converted to a work van. I removed the back three bench seats and left the first one for my daughter's car seats. That still leaves me over 8 feet of space behind that seat, which is great for plywood, drywall, etc. I've got a wood shelf setup on one side and an Adrian Steel shelf w/bins on the other side. Plenty of room in between for my table saw, chop saw, horses, compressor and stepladder. All the nailers, saws, drills, cordless tools fit on the wood shelves and the hardware all goes in the metal bins. I've been tossing around the idea of getting a trailer but when I stop to think about it, I haven't really NEEDED one yet. Like was already said-keep yourself organized, bring what you need for current job and you should be fine. There's always something you run into that you don't have the tool for in your truck, but is that worth lugging a trailer around for?

__________________

220/221

Heh heh....don't you HATE the fact that you ALWAYS have to say that nowdays? I am in the same boat.



Couldn't you park the trailer in your garage and leave your truck in the driveway? Perhaps buid your driveway into the back yard to get around the HOA?

The trailer would be a PITA but would be more practical. More room, easier access and on some jobs you could LOCK it and leave it for several days/weeks.

__________________
Just because it's within code doesn't make it safe.

Just because it's against code doesn't make it unsafe.

JPV123

I'll chime in I guess since It's been over 2 years now since I started this thread. I went with the van. I set it up nicely. It's the extended one so I fit a lot of stuff in it. I try to keep it neat and organized. It's been working out fine. I was planning on adding a trailer (since I also kept my pick-up) for a second set up. However with this economy that's on hold. BTW - a trailer is too high to fit in my garage plus it's a side load which would be a pita to back ineach night. The driveway into the yard will not work for me either. When I get the trailer I'll leave it at a nearby storage place where I have a unit that I use for ladders, the brake and all the extra material left overs.

silvertree

6x12 trailer, pickup with topper. Can talk all day about plus and minus but I'm glad I have both, and when I don't use the trailer I use it for storage.

__________________
Vote for Pedro
Kitchen, bath, St Paul remodeling
Minneapolis Remodel Blog
203K Loan Consultant Minnesota

Recovery atty

I am thinking about going this route . . . as I need a work van, and, still need it to be a family car to pick up my kids (3 and 5 yrs. old - with car seats) from daycare/school. Could you send me pics of the inside layout? Are you concerned that an accident would send everything flying towards you and/or your child?

TimNJ

First post and your name is Recovery Atty? I'm a little suspicious, especially that last sentence.

davitk

Nah, an attorney would be too clever for such an obvious screen name, you think?? None the less, !!

ApgarNJ

I bought a crewcab short bed diesel 350 two years ago and it's great for when i have to put the kids in my truck etc. i have a large v nose trailer that i got last december, which i planned to use for larger jobs. well the start of this year was slow and then it pickd up and the larger multiple month jobs are spread out more now and I regret not getting an extended cab with 8' bed and taking it off for a utility body like my previous truck had. don't get me wrong, i love the trailer and being able to store a lot of stuff in it, but it's not practical at all for jobs especially the very small ones. so i'm left with a truck that doesn't hold many tools and has a shorter trac rac system on it. so i can't even really haul my 24' pick or very long ladders around without them sticking out extremely far. If work picks up more for this winter/spring. i'm going to just end up with a second truck or i'm selling this truck and going back for a reg cab or ext cab with utility body.
one other option would be a cabover with spartan body but that wouldn't allow me to take the kids. i small car would have to be purchased too.
i like having this current truck as a personal truck too. but it's just driving me crazy because i can only put so many tools in the back trac rac sliding tool box.

trailers are great for long term jobs but van/box trucks/ utility body trucks are best for all around usefulness.

woodchuck2

I have worked out of vans before but for me they dont have enough room for tools and supplies, killer on the knees and you cant haul anything big. I now tow a 14' v-nose "actually 16' long" and it carries most of my tools, alot of supplies, a 24' extension ladder, an 8' step ladder, 2-4' step ladders, 2-6' step ladders and 2 little giant ladders. I have a 10' work bench on one side too and i can stand up in it. Keeps me out of the weather if need be and i can still do some work. Even with all the tools/ladders/supplies i can still put a 20k Guardian generator inside with no problems. It also saves me from having a second vehicle on the road to insure and the registaration/inspection is cheaper.