New Here

ApgarNJ

HI guys. new to this site. looking forward to going through and reading all the old posts about different topics.

I currently have a one ton pickup with an 8' util body on the back and ladder racks. it's on a 97' ford with diesel. the util body looks ok from the outside but underneath, it's totally shot and rusted badly.
I am faced with the option of replacing just the util body at a cost of 5000 or more dollars once it gets painted and new racks put on it. the truck has 118k miles but runs pretty good. can't be written off anymore as a business expense. I bought it used in 2000, so it just got paid off recently. doesn't seem smart to put a nice new util body on a 9 year old truck.

I am contemplating getting a new truck, but get an extended cab this time. I can't stand the lack of room in my reg cab now, I keep a lot of extra clothing and papers in there. sets of plans etc. so i need the room.
I have thought about not going the util body route and instead go to a trailer, I have read a bunch of posts on here from both sides of the isle on the issue of cub van or trailer. I understand why cubevans work, but at this point. I can only purchase one vehicle and so it has to be a pickup, if i could swing buying both, i would.

I'd like to see what you trailer guys have for setups inside. I'm a residential builder in hunterdon county nj,I do everything from framing to all the finish work on my jobs, subs do the electrical, plumbing, roofing, drywall, insulation, hvac, and I'm on my jobs for months at time. when i bought my truck, the util body was handy(and still is) for small jobs because i was only there for a few days or weeks.
now that i am doing larger additions and big renovations, i feel as though i can stick the trailer on these jobsites and everything is there. i don't have to worry about leaving something at home, that doesn't fit in the util body. I also like the idea of having anormal looking pickup with an 8' bed and maybe a set of ladders racks on it, so it almost becomes a personal truck for when i'm not working,and a work truck.

the size trailer i'm looking at it is a wellscargo 8'x16' or 18' not sure i want to go any longer than that.
I really don't have to work inside the trailer, but it would be nice to do in a pinch. i'd like to see some pics of the inside of a trailer from guys that do my type of work. i've seen some pics on here, but nothing that was what i wanted for what i do.
I know carting around a trailer isn't always the best solution, but I won't be driving with it that often, once it's on the job, it'll stay there unless I really need it for something.

one more thing..sorry for the long post,
did you guys with trailers get the kind where you have the wheel wells inside ? or the slightly narrower trailer with tires fully on the outside?
i don't think the inside wells will be in the way. i can just build shelves or cabinets around them.

let me know what you guys think. i want to order this new truck soon.

Shamrock

Well thats basically how I operate. Having the trailer frees the truck up for other duty's besides work plus it's nice not having to worry about what I do or don't have at the job site since the trailer carry's near everything. I've looked to changing over to a van or box truck but it does sort of limit that vehicle to soley business oriented driving where as with the truck (crew cab) I can drop the trailer and still use the truck to haul the family if needed. I guess you sort of have to weigh the plus's and minus's and chose which best suits your needs.

IHI

My new set-up with rising fuel costs: pulling the S-10 on my open trailer that we use for scrap to a big job behind my cubie, unload the S-10 and leave the rest of the stuff sit on site and commute with the fuel saver LOL.

For you situation it sounds like the cargo trailer will work best, I would at LEAST go with a 18' and seriously consider getting the taller sidewall option for when your hauling your own entry/patio/french doors or really tall windows your not interferring with ceiling height. The extra length will be a plus if your totting around planks or extension ladders, my cubie is only 17' and I cant get my 20' plank in there 16' will go no problem. Also, you'll never regret going wide, more often than not your shelving will cover the small exposure of wheel wells and the extra width is always a plus for being able to have material or whatever inside and still being able to move freely without stepping on product. While your at it, price out the V nose option, typically the price increase is very minimal but you get added storage AND it'll pull 50x's better than a flat nose. Get a price on a roof rack for the trailer to carry the larger planks/ladders/materials as well since there will be timew you need it-try to make this trailer as self sufficent as possbile so your truck or buddies truck is just a means of getting it to the job site and that is all.

Also opt for a curved roof to keep water/snow from sitting. a nice 4' side door is always a plus as well for those times it's raining and you dont want to fold down the ramp to get inside to grab this or that. A recessed spare tire carrier in the floor is nice since you can put your spare and little jack/related tools out of sight and out of mind, but it's there if you should ever need it. Wire it yourself unless they offer a killer deal, we've had optioned priced as low as $530 for 8 4' flouresants and 6 outlets with a recessed RV outlete on the side of the trailer. Get at least 5000lb axles with 16" wheels since these trailer will get heavy in a hurry-even if right now you dont plan on it. My cubie is darn near sitting on the bump stop on the side my shelves and tools are on-air bags will be installed this summer to help.

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ApgarNJ

thanks IHI. I know you from over at the snow plowers forum.
most of those options, other than the V nose, were the same things i was planning on pricing out, i'll check into the V nose to see how much it adds. what i noticed is that witht he 8' wide model cargo from wellscargo, the roof is galv steel. the 7' and narrower ones are all alum.
i may have to go tot he auto carrier line and then customize it to what i need. plus, they have an 18'. the 8' express wagon doesn't come in 18' goes from 12,16-20' and up
like you said unless they offer a great deal to wire it, i'll do it myself. because i'm not sure of the layout. I will get that 12v box though that they offer, and it looks like ic an run all my stuff out of there. i don't know if i i'll use flourescent lights or not. if i get the ceiling high enough. i can get the rough service bulbs in cages and they work better in the winter time. i want to be able to run a cord tothis trailer to have electric there at the jobsite the whole time. work bench with a vise is another thing i want to do.
i probably won't even get any ply liner put in, so that i can run wires where i want them and then cover the walls with 5/8 ply, instead of the 1/4 they offer. and i'll also insulate the walls and ceiling, if they are too expensive as an option. only thing that worries me about putting wires in the walls is having to change or fix one later, but i don't see why as long as i put plenty of lights and outlets in. i shouldn't have to do anytyhing later. most of you guys run the wires in exposed metal conduit along the ceiling and then to where you want it?

i have to call this week to find out what all the options are going to run.
i think all the roofs are slightly domed off to shed water. they all look to have a curve to them from the pictures and from ones i've seen on the road, they are. maybe the really small 4' or 5' wide ones have flat roofs but the bigger haulers always have the domed roof.
18' would probably be the longest to go. with the a frame and everything, i don't want to limit myself to what drives i can and cant get into.

thanks for the info guys. keep them coming i hope to order one in the next few months, if not earlier. tax season is over now, so i have a clearer picture.........lol