I'm not sure if this is the right forum but i'm gonna buy a new enclosed cargo trailer in the 7'x14' size range. I may go 7'x16'. Which manufacturers would you all recommend. I know i'll get a lot of different responses and thats what i want. Could you also maybe include why you like any you suggest. Thanks for your time.
Which is the preferred Enclosed Cargo Trailer Brand ?
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TennMan
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The aluminum bin shelfing is made by a company called Ranger Design http://www.rangerdesigninc.com/index.asp The company is in Canada but my local trailer dealer sells there products. I don't remember how much it was, there stuff is a little pricey but well made and worth it.Are those aluminum walls & shelves? Very nice, where did you get them from & how much?
Thanks
Nhi
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Dude. Sounds like you need 7x16 minimum. You basically do it all, so you've got alot of tools. Don't forget the amount of space that fasteners take up. Also 10k minimum GVWR for you.unhique said:Perfect thread, for me.
I'm also thinking about getting a trailer too. I looked at the commercial from Trailer Plus and it seems like Interstate trailers are pretty solid.
This is how my company operates, please advice the size I should go for (sorry it'll be quite ... long):
- All my guys drive their own trucks to the jobsite every day. Some of them carpool. I know getting one van for each crew is the best way. But I don't see myself doing it in the near future (5-7 years) yet due to financial constraints.
- All the guys trucks have tool boxes, their own tools (all hand tools, impact driver & skilsaw). I supply bigger tools (vacuum, table saw, miter saw, ladders, compressor, etc) and most of the nail guns (brads, finish, frame, siding, etc...)
- Most of the work we do are residential remodels: kitchen only, bathroom only, k&b, whole house remodel; About one room addition in every 2-3 years; about 1 custom built house every 2-3 years.
- We do everything in house, except stucco and pour concrete
- We mostly run 2-3 projects at the same time. Very rarely 4 (maybe 3, and 1 quick project got squeezed in the schedule once in a while)
- Projects last 1 week - 10 days in average. Whole house remodels (for flippers & property management company who buys & fix everything to rent out) usually take 3-4 weeks.
In the past, I would have a crew get to job site with all the main tools to get started. I'd slowly bring more tools as needed. For materials it's the same thing: I'd bring some in first to get started, then buy as needed. This is where the problems come in: I would ususally have to go back home (30-45 mins drive on average) to just get something for them, maybe a brad nailer, maybe a hammer drill, etc... Sometimes I would have to go from 1 project to HD to buy supplies & go to the next project, so on and so forth. Waste of time, not effiecent, etc...
SOOOO, I think the trailer might be a perfect answer to my problem. :clap: But I don't want too big of a trailer, I think. Because what I'm thinking of putting in it are the following. Please advice otherwise, or help brain storms:
+Tools
- Clean up tools: vacuum, broom, trash bags, pick up tool, plastic (to cover), runner (project floor), zip poles
- 1 10" miter saw
- 1 compact table saw
- 1 set of hand tools (back up, just in case if any one forgot anything): pliers, screw drivers, impact driver, prybar, hammer, torch, etc... (one tool bag worth of space)
- common use guns: 1 brad, 1 finish, 1 framer
- thinset mixer
- tile saw
- skil saw
- small hammer rotery drill
- paint sprayer
- paint rollers & trays
- paint extension poles
- Dewalt 4.5 gal, wheelable compressor
- Granite tools: track saw (it's a miter saw & 2 tracks) - Blue Ripper Junior; one bag of diamond tools (wet polisher, small circular saw, diamond pads, 4 clamps, epoxy, color tubes, etc)
- saw horses: thinking about foldable, not my favorite, but save space
- t-square
- 6' level
- 6' ladder
- small ladders: 2
- Extensions
- air hoses
+ Supplies:
- Plumbing: enough 1/2" & 3/4" coper & gas fittings (some of each for 90, t, coupling etc..); shut-off valves, supply lines, p-traps, etc..
- Electrical: common parts: wire nuts, cover plates, receptacles, switches, some boxes, 1 roll of 12-2, 1 of 14-2.
- Framing/sheetrock: 3" screws, backer board screws & nails, drywall screws/nails, etc... (a little bit of everything)
- Caulking: painter, k&b, roofing, window & door
- Screws & anchors: assortments of those
(This is a quick ... first draft. Will be fine tuned a couple more times before "final inspection" :laughing: )
In other words, main target is to have:
- enough tools to do a k&b or a whole house remodel (for this we usually do new laminate/wood/carpet, paint inside & out, replace a couple of doors & nobs, tile floors, replace bathroom fixtures, replace kitchen cabinets & counters & floors, replace/install new light fixtures, new recessed lights, replace windows, etc).
- And stock all common parts so I don't have to keep running to HD every day, sometimes a couple of times/day
- but still stay compact because I need to park the trailer at jobsite (most likely will be on customer's driveway) for the duration of the project.
So what you guys think? What's the smallest size trailer I can accomplish this with? I drive a f250 but my guys drive tacomas (4) & tundra (1). I'll love to have a 7x14 but I think it'll be too big to be parked in drive way. If I can fit in a really small trailers, I might be able to buy a couple of them, one for each projects (maybe 2).
And sorry for the long post. I'd just like to lay out everything so you can understand my situation better before giving advices.
Thank you very much for helping out.
Nhi
haha, for real? I thought I can get away with a 6x10 or even smaller, but maybe taller for walk-in access.
I think I'm gonna try to do a mock-up, setting things up on a imagine 6x10, or whatever size needed before buying a trailer. Oh wait, I think I'm gonna set up in my 6.5x12 dump trailer. It has 4' sides right now. Will raise it up to 6-6'6" to see if I can fit most of the big tools in.
Right now I can park my dump trailer perfectly in one side of my drive way, length wise & width wise as well. So worst case senerio, I can still get a 7x12/14 if need to. Crossing my fingers.
To those of you who're using a trailer, how do you use it daily? Is there anyone in similar situation as mine? What supplies do you stock on board?
Thanks
Nhi
I think I'm gonna try to do a mock-up, setting things up on a imagine 6x10, or whatever size needed before buying a trailer. Oh wait, I think I'm gonna set up in my 6.5x12 dump trailer. It has 4' sides right now. Will raise it up to 6-6'6" to see if I can fit most of the big tools in.
Right now I can park my dump trailer perfectly in one side of my drive way, length wise & width wise as well. So worst case senerio, I can still get a 7x12/14 if need to. Crossing my fingers.
To those of you who're using a trailer, how do you use it daily? Is there anyone in similar situation as mine? What supplies do you stock on board?
Thanks
Nhi
I use mine every day and I don't really try to stock supplies, mostly tools with some nails and screws, sandpaper, stuff like that. I can't even imagine going back the the days of no trailer. I have a 6x12 but need larger. It does the job but becomes sort of cluttered after a hard day! I try to stock the tools for the job.
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I've got a 7x12 with the wheel wells in the trailer. I am a one man show with a decent amount of tools. I can do anything from laying out a foundation all the way to finish work and paint. I don't tile, plumb, elec. I thought the 7x12 was going to be big enough. It isn't. I can almost jam everything I might need at a job for tools into the trailer, but I can't get in the trailer to access stuff at that point. I wish I had a bigger trailer. The thing is a large investment and you want to invest wisely. You will always want bigger
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You should be able to get away with a 7x14 as long as you lay it out well. I have quite a few more tools than your putting into your setup and I can get them to fit with quite a bit of spare room and still have a work bench to work from if needed.
Years ago i had a haulmark. 7' x 16' i had it for about 8 years and
never had to do a thing to it. That trailer had torsion axles. 3 years
ago I bought a 8.5' x 16' with a wedge nose and a ramp door.
The ramp door is great for going in and out all day.
It has spring axles. It is a continental cargo I am not happy with the
new trailer. :sad:
The extra width is great but i have already put new tires on it
and will have to again next year. Make sure it has torsion axles if you
get a larger trailer. My $.02 Good luck!:thumbsup:
never had to do a thing to it. That trailer had torsion axles. 3 years
ago I bought a 8.5' x 16' with a wedge nose and a ramp door.
The ramp door is great for going in and out all day.
It has spring axles. It is a continental cargo I am not happy with the
new trailer. :sad:
The extra width is great but i have already put new tires on it
and will have to again next year. Make sure it has torsion axles if you
get a larger trailer. My $.02 Good luck!:thumbsup:
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I have owned several Featherlite trailers, I have been pleased with all of them. My current one is for sale if you are interested.
Thanks for the replies.
Okay, now I'm gonna be detail with what I'm curious to know:
Please chime in.
- how you guys use the trailer: do you pull it back & forth & every where (HD, supply yards, etc)? If park at job site, what's the average time (# of days? duration of the job? or begin of job to unload tools for guys, end of job to take tools back?)
- If you park at customer's, for those who have bigger trailer, is parking space a problem? percentage of problem free parking? security at jobsite if park overnight?
- How do you utilize the trailer at jobsite? I know some of you suggest to leave air compressor in the trailer. What about tools like miter & table/tile saw? Go back & forth the trailer as needed for smaller tools? Is a ramp helping with load/unload (ramp door vs swing doors with seperate ramp?)?
- If don't stock supplies, how you handle supplies for a jobs? (down to a small detail like 1 lb of sheetrock screw, 3 supply lines for bathroom, 1 shutoff valve to replace in toilet, 1 wax ring, 1 p trap downstair, etc....)? Does a trailer help in this respect?
- When park at home, where to park? driveway? rich contractor rear yard?
- truck/trailer wrap: did anyone get inspector visit/stop work for non-permit work because of attention caused by the trailer/truck wrap?
That's it for now. Hehehe. Thanks as always. Pls pardon the long posts. I believe in learning from asking.
Nhi
Okay, now I'm gonna be detail with what I'm curious to know:
Please chime in.- how you guys use the trailer: do you pull it back & forth & every where (HD, supply yards, etc)? If park at job site, what's the average time (# of days? duration of the job? or begin of job to unload tools for guys, end of job to take tools back?)
- If you park at customer's, for those who have bigger trailer, is parking space a problem? percentage of problem free parking? security at jobsite if park overnight?
- How do you utilize the trailer at jobsite? I know some of you suggest to leave air compressor in the trailer. What about tools like miter & table/tile saw? Go back & forth the trailer as needed for smaller tools? Is a ramp helping with load/unload (ramp door vs swing doors with seperate ramp?)?
- If don't stock supplies, how you handle supplies for a jobs? (down to a small detail like 1 lb of sheetrock screw, 3 supply lines for bathroom, 1 shutoff valve to replace in toilet, 1 wax ring, 1 p trap downstair, etc....)? Does a trailer help in this respect?
- When park at home, where to park? driveway? rich contractor rear yard?
- truck/trailer wrap: did anyone get inspector visit/stop work for non-permit work because of attention caused by the trailer/truck wrap?
That's it for now. Hehehe. Thanks as always. Pls pardon the long posts. I believe in learning from asking.
Nhi
Why you're selling it? Size & price? Just asking 'cause you're too far from me.
Nhi
Nhi
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4,054 Posts
It's 38' x 8.5', complete with a hydraulic rack that allows you to stack race cars two high in the rear of the trailer, built in generator hooked to prewired electric, built in cabinetry, a floor mounted winch in the nose of the trailer for pulling in heavy loads, and a built in compressor. The generator and compressor can be accessed from the exterior of the trailer from doors above the gooseneck hitch.Why you're selling it? Size & price? Just asking 'cause you're too far from me.
Nhi
I don't race anymore, so this can be yours for around $30,000.
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I LOVE MY TRAILER! That being said, I would buy a different one next time around! ha! I have a 6x12 vnose and I could really spring for a 7x14. I'm a painting contractor, but carry enough tools to do almost any repair work or trim work that needs done. Now that the trailer is a little more organized I have plenty of room to hold what I need on a day to day basis. I LOVE my ramp door as I have the rigid mitersaw stand and a homemade workbench on casters that holds all my trim tools and misc. carpentry stuff (it's also very handy when you need to move things like appliances or lawn tractors). I work in mostly rural areas so I normally feel comfortable leaving the trailer on the jobsite if it's going to be a lengthy job. That way the tools can stay in the trailer and out of the workspace until I need them. I don't have the need to carry much in terms of supplies, but if I do I usually take them out of the trailer right away... otherwise it tends to get cluttered. When not at the jobsite mine stays in the driveway all locked up. I have a Bravo trailer by Duracraft and am not all that pleased with the quality, but its still waaaay better than what I had before ... which was nothing! The one thing I do like about the 6x12 is that it's still small enough to maneuver around most tight jobsites... even with my crew cab f250.
I have a 6x12 vnose and I could really spring for a 7x14. I'm a painting contractor, but carry enough tools to do almost any repair work or trim work that needs done. Now that the trailer is a little more organized I have plenty of room to hold what I need on a day to day basis. I LOVE my ramp door as I have the rigid mitersaw stand and a homemade workbench on casters that holds all my trim tools and misc. carpentry stuff (it's also very handy when you need to move things like appliances or lawn tractors). I work in mostly rural areas so I normally feel comfortable leaving the trailer on the jobsite if it's going to be a lengthy job. That way the tools can stay in the trailer and out of the workspace until I need them. I don't have the need to carry much in terms of supplies, but if I do I usually take them out of the trailer right away... otherwise it tends to get cluttered. When not at the jobsite mine stays in the driveway all locked up. I have a Bravo trailer by Duracraft and am not all that pleased with the quality, but its still waaaay better than what I had before ... which was nothing! The one thing I do like about the 6x12 is that it's still small enough to maneuver around most tight jobsites... even with my crew cab f250.
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Dont foget about this thread. it sometimes slips down the ranks because of lack of posts but there some great ideas on there.
http://www.contractortalk.com/f41/trailer-customizing-ideas-needed-long-15369/index10/
http://www.contractortalk.com/f41/trailer-customizing-ideas-needed-long-15369/index10/
Parking, never a problem, we work in mostly residential areas. It can be on the job for one day to a few months. When possible I will back it right up to the door or where ever the project is. People don't seem to mind if I back it across their yards. I very rarely take it to the lumber yard, have truck and dump trailer for that. Stocking, well, if I was specializing in one thing I would stock up on things like you said, but we do soooo much that it would be impossible to stock it. I do carry 25# boxes of drywall screws, torx screws, paslode nails, hand drives in two sizes etc, etc.
I carry misc. caulking, spray bin, misc step flashing, some pieces of *****, vycore etc. etc.
You know, you have me thinking now, I carry a TON of stuff, mostly tools but there are so many other things in there that I just take for granted.
In the front I do have a craftsman roll around 4 drawer tool chest mounted permanently full of hand tools, fuel cells, sand paper, safety glasses, ear plugs, vinyl siding tools, etc. etc.
I carry misc. caulking, spray bin, misc step flashing, some pieces of *****, vycore etc. etc.
You know, you have me thinking now, I carry a TON of stuff, mostly tools but there are so many other things in there that I just take for granted.
In the front I do have a craftsman roll around 4 drawer tool chest mounted permanently full of hand tools, fuel cells, sand paper, safety glasses, ear plugs, vinyl siding tools, etc. etc.
You're right. I've read through that thread a number of times too. Sorry I kinda hijacked this thread.
Maybe I should come over there to continue ...!!!
Let's ... go everyone!!! Hehehe!
Nhi
Maybe I should come over there to continue ...!!!
Let's ... go everyone!!! Hehehe!
Nhi
Thanks Dave! I'll continue on this thread: http://www.contractortalk.com/f41/trailer-customizing-ideas-needed-long-15369/index10/
Nhi
Nhi
Well, coming back to the original thread question: i think in my local area they have a couple of brands:
- interstate, comes in 3 flavors: victory (base), load-runner, & pro. Offered mainly (if not only) by trailer plus. Looked at load-runner 6x10 and liked it a lot
- cargo mate (not car mate): I saw PJ trailer in San Jose carries it, haven't checked it out personally yet
- pace American: heard good things about them from this forum. Other that I'm not sure how's it compared to others. Can't find local dealers yet. Saw some used ones on craigslist.
- Carry-Ons: heard from the dealers themselves: low ends. First hand experience: flimsy
- Carson trailers: square edges, I don't like the shape personally. Quality is low end also I think
- Continental Cargo: screw-less option was available at my local dealer (Orlandi Trailer)
Probably some others too. But that's pretty much what I see so far. Other than my dealer visit last Saturday, I don't have any knowledge of which one is good. I'm particularly looking for a sturdy/tough built doors, thicker siding. Load-runner from Interstate Trailer is an example. They asked for $2600 (6x10, barn door & side door, spring axle), roughly $3000 OTD.
Any opinion?
Thank you.
Nhi
- interstate, comes in 3 flavors: victory (base), load-runner, & pro. Offered mainly (if not only) by trailer plus. Looked at load-runner 6x10 and liked it a lot
- cargo mate (not car mate): I saw PJ trailer in San Jose carries it, haven't checked it out personally yet
- pace American: heard good things about them from this forum. Other that I'm not sure how's it compared to others. Can't find local dealers yet. Saw some used ones on craigslist.
- Carry-Ons: heard from the dealers themselves: low ends. First hand experience: flimsy
- Carson trailers: square edges, I don't like the shape personally. Quality is low end also I think
- Continental Cargo: screw-less option was available at my local dealer (Orlandi Trailer)
Probably some others too. But that's pretty much what I see so far. Other than my dealer visit last Saturday, I don't have any knowledge of which one is good. I'm particularly looking for a sturdy/tough built doors, thicker siding. Load-runner from Interstate Trailer is an example. They asked for $2600 (6x10, barn door & side door, spring axle), roughly $3000 OTD.
Any opinion?
Thank you.
Nhi
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