Enclosed Cargo Trailers

[RibbleConstruction]

I need ideas of how to keep my trailer organized? I Just bought a 20X8.5 enclosed cargo trailer. I got a pretty sweet deal since it has cargo doors instead of a ramp. Its a car hauler the previous owner ordered with out the ramp. ( Ironically hes decided he needs the ramp door now) I am going to wire this trailer with some plugs and a breaker box and then permenantly mount a compresor and generator. I think I may put shelves down one side and then leave the other side open except for a fold down table. That way I can have a dry place for plans or whatever. I was going to hang a pegboard on the front for small tools, but I odnt know how they will ride when in transport. And finally, I was going to have the cord wired right in so when I pull up to a job I just plug my trailer in and Im ready to go. If there isnt power then I will hook up to the generator. Any ideas or pictures of what you guys have done?

[apgarconstruction]

I have thought about how i will organize my future trailer for a while. until i have it, i won't know exactly what will go where, but it will have a ramp. i'm thinking a 8x16 or 18.
i want cabinets on one side, towards the front drivers side. with a counter and maybe a spot to cut trim, although we usually setup inside or just outside the house. the trailer won't always be close to the jobsite and walking to it to work is a pita. i want a place to store all my big equipment like a generator, table saw, chopsaw, and then open shelves for all the power tools that come with plastic boxes.
some open bins for hand tools like pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, flatbars etc.
big hooks for hoses, ext cords, and other stuff that hangs.
i want a 4' side door on the passenger side, ramps on the back, and i'll also have it so i can plug it in to a house and have lights and outlets all throughout the trailer. i also want flood lights for backing up on the corners of the trailer. i am not a wiring wizard, but i want to make it so i can also run some lights inside when it's hooked up to my truck. just not sure how to do that. maybe has to be separate 12v lights just a few to see things. and the brighter lights and outlets work with 110v from a cord.

if anyone has pics of trailers they setup, post them so we can get more ideas. i'm sure once i do mine, i'll end up changing some things after we getusing it and find that they aren't working efficiently. i really only want this for storage on sites, and not for actually working out.

it'll help get a lot of stuff off my property here at home. and i wont'b e saying, wow, i really need that "blank" but it's at home. now it'll be on the job and i'll have what i need when i need it.

[atgreene]

I'm spec'ing a 20'er for the fire dept right now. We're mounting a diesel generator on the tongue and putting flood lights all around built into it.

The rear is going to be cabinets, so you open the rear door and it's cabinets from floor to ceiling, as we'll use the side door for in and out traffic.

The entire thing willl be wired like you said, with weather tight outlets on the outside. The other thing we're adding is a canopy off one side, like a camper. Handy as a pocket on a shirt to get out of the sun or rain.

Should make a handy mobile workshop for ya, good luck.

[MrBobcat]

I dont have alot of input to add to your ideas on how to trick out the inside , sounds like you guys are setting them up sweet .
Before i worked for Bobcat , i was the operations mgr for a large electrical contractor for 12 years. We had 20 jobsite trailers for use at the various jobs we were doing. The biggest thing i think you need to add to your plans is how to keep your stuff IN the trailer. Those things are built like soda cans , all you need is a screwdriver and you can peel your way inside them , and put your fist through the 1/4" plywood on the inside. We tried 10 different ways to make the doors more secure , and when we got them too hard to get in through the doors the damn thiefs stared punching through the walls.
Thats when we realized there is no way to keep someone out who wants to be in that bad , so we shifted our focus to our expesnive tools and how to keep them from the sticky fingers. We ended up putting medium size knacck boxes inside them , took allthread through the floor to unistrut around the frame and back up intot he box. We then welded the nuts/allthread and strut to the frame of the trailer. We kept all tools of value in the knacck box , they are almost impossible to get into witout a firewrench. It made it a PITA if we needed to pull the box , but it was worth every bit of it. We hardly ever pulled a box anyhow.
It didnt stop the breakins , but when they got inside and found nothing of value (other than boxes , conduit , prints ect ect ) they would leave and move on to the next victim. We always had a couple sheet of outside metal on hand from wells , so when we did get hit , we just slapped new metal on the outside.
I would also make sure you lock the tounge of the trailer every night and make sure your name is plastered all over the side.

Hope i dont sound paranoid , but there alot more people in this world who dont wanna earn a buck , they want to steal yours.
Doesnt seem to matter what type of neighborhood you are working on , we have had the trailers hit in everykind , the thieves know to look for them as they are easy targets.

Just my .02

Scott

[cat320]

I need ideas of how to keep my trailer organized? I Just bought a 20X8.5 enclosed cargo trailer. I got a pretty sweet deal since it has cargo doors instead of a ramp. Its a car hauler the previous owner ordered with out the ramp. ( Ironically hes decided he needs the ramp door now) I am going to wire this trailer with some plugs and a breaker box and then permenantly mount a compresor and generator. I think I may put shelves down one side and then leave the other side open except for a fold down table. That way I can have a dry place for plans or whatever. I was going to hang a pegboard on the front for small tools, but I odnt know how they will ride when in transport. And finally, I was going to have the cord wired right in so when I pull up to a job I just plug my trailer in and Im ready to go. If there isnt power then I will hook up to the generator. Any ideas or pictures of what you guys have done?

I tell ya you should call tom silver from this old house he has those type of trailers all loaded up for on site construction. He showed it quick one day and I thought from what i saw it was set up prety nice. I'm sure if you could pick his brain he has already gon thru the what works and doesn't already.

[RibbleConstruction]

Scott,
Security is a big issue. And I have neen trying to think about how to keep everything inside. So far it has come home with me everynight. Everything is insured, but it sure would be pita to show up and not have it. I have a good toungue lock. And the side door is locked from the inside as well as the outside. The only way in is thru the back if I choose to lock it that way.

Dan,
I never thought about adding spot lights. I like that idea. As far as lights go there are 3 overhead 12volts in there already. Those are sufficient for when you are not working. I am adding 2 sets of flourescent. Only problem with those is cold morning starts.

[The boys]

I have a link that could be of intrest to you www.adriansteel.com they have some good storage porducts for trucks vans and cargo trailers hope this helps. And iwuld look into dewalts sitelink security for my tools and trailer ill see if i can find a link to that. BJ :cool:

[T-Zab]

A framer we work with has the inside of his trailer lined with 1/2 ac ply.
Not "everything proof" but your not kick your way threw either. You would need at the minimum a sawzall to get in. Most thiefs wont go that far unless your parked in the booneys.
T

[RibbleConstruction]

Was wondering if I should use an industrial paint on the interior walls and inside of the doors. Thought it might protect it from the weather better. Also thinking about doing something to the floor. My father in law does bedliners and he wants to do the floor and up one foot on the walls. I have it in my truck and its not slippery. Any thoughts?

[atgreene]

I like the bed liner idea, hhhhhhhmmm, may have to look into that for ours, thanks.

[Plow Dak]

I have a real small idea that has worked for me in the past.
Although i have never had to do a enclosed trailer this helped me a lot.
I found by writing down what you had, i was able to make some quick drawings and kinda place things in different areas. When i was building some circle track cars years ago it helped to think of where to put things. Gave the driver a view of the drivers seat and switches. Putting crossbracing etc. I would think if you drew out a trailer and started placing things in it some ideas might come to you. It's easier to use a eraser than take down something. Small tools can be hung and then secured with elastic cords.

Just though i'd throw that at ya

[Rocket]

I tell ya you should call tom silver from this old house he has those type of trailers all loaded up for on site construction. He showed it quick one day and I thought from what i saw it was set up prety nice. I'm sure if you could pick his brain he has already gon thru the what works and doesn't already.
Don't need to call Tom just call the company who put it together for them. That would be Richey & Clapper on the Sudbury/Wayland town line. I saw the trailers there before TOH picked them up. Nice units!!

[cat320]

thats where i got my trailer .

[Fulltiltwill]

Hey Ribble,
I'm in construction as well and have been using a bread van for 10 years know.
I have mine set up with a six foot long Knaack box, the tall one with the piano hinge top, for all my hand tools. On the other side is a shelf that runs the length of the van for all my nails. Under the shelf I have all my over stock of nails and can put 4 step ladders. I used to have the generater and campressor bolted in the truck at the back. But running them side by side and in a confined space (even with all the doors open) they would choke themselves out and foul plugs and burn through the gas. So know I just pull them out every day and they run fine. The doors on the van don't lock so I really like the Knaack for all the hand tools. Then I chain the back door shut and lock the binder as well as chain and lock the gen. and comp. so far nothing has been stolen. My theory is, if the rig looks ugly enough people won't think there is anything worth steeling.
Just my .02 cents

[GuzmanProperties]

I just purchased a 8.5' x 20' trailer in October. I use it for landscaping and started equipping it with shelves and e-track. I use the E-track on all three walls of the trailer screwed directly to the studs. I also placed e-track on the floor to strap down the machines. I painted the entire floor and sides with red exterior porch paint to protect the wood. (I like your idea with the bedliner spray, but too expensive for me) Before I painted the floor I caulked all the gaps between the boards. With the E-track I was able to use cargo bars (used in 18 wheelers and can be removed if need be) to make a shelf at the nose of the trailer. I will post pics of the interior when I get to my other computer.

[RibbleConstruction]

That would be great if you could post pics of the inside. I have just about fininshed my planning stage and will move into the finishing stage. I will post pics of my progress. I hope to start this weekend.

[GuzmanProperties]

Here are the pics of my first trailer.

Second pic floor of new trailer with 3/4" pressure treated plywood.

Third pic is of new trailer caulked, masked and painted.

[GuzmanProperties]

First pic has all my equipment mounted and secured in trailer. I installed the orange diamond plate on the sides of the trailer to protect any damages coming in or out. Doing pretty good so far. This is my first enclosed trailer to house this type of equipment. So far it has worked out great for me. Everything is accessible and securely mounted.

Second pic I mounted diamond plate along the ramp door to protect it. The springs hold up great with the added weight.

Third pic is the "tractor trailer bars" that hook into the e-track around the sides of the trailer. I used two of them to make a "removable" shelf and I place all my lighter equipment on top. I also placed a strip of e-track on the shelf to strap down the equipment.

[GuzmanProperties]

The next pic is of the e-track mounted on the floor to hold in the lawn machines and sulky. I basically weave the strap over the tires and then strap them down. Works great for me, no problems of anything shifting.

Next one is of tool rack, basically pvc pipe cut into peices and secured to plywood. I mounted the diamond plate to the wall to protect the tools from rubbing on the white walls. The shovels are held in with a shovel rack and a bungee to keep them against the e-track as well.

Last pic is of gas tank holder I purchased thru e-bay. Great item to have, keeps fuel stationary and prevents spilling. In case it does spill, it is an enclosed unit and will not drip onto the trailer floor. I also mounted it an inch off the floor.

I will take some pics of it now, I recently added some shelf units over the wheel wells for small tools, batteries, trimmer wire, spark plugs, oil and other little stuff that I may need while I'm out on the job.

Any questions or comments let me know.

[apgarconstruction]

how is that paint holding up? i want to buy my trailer without any ply on the insides or have them put 1/2 or 5/8 on the walls.
i gotta leave room down the center for some sleds if i ever have one or want to pull some buddies sleds.
is the 8.5' too wide for most jobsites and jockeying around? i will most likely order this one when i want it, so i get everything i need, jus tnot sure if 8' wide is going to be too wide to be backing into jobsites all the time. is the actual box 8' and the wheels make it 102" i thought only snowmobile trailers were actually 102" wide boxes.
i think an 8x18 with ramp would be just fine for me. if it's outfitted correctly, you can fit a lot in there. i might even go for the 7' high inside height so i can hang lights and some step ladders from it. i wish they sold them with ladder racks that have the ratchet tiedowns built in for fastening lumber and ladders etc.

i've thought about security too, and i might just have a motion sensor alarm that will run off a battery mounted inside somewhere, a deep cycle that can charge when the truck is hooked up and towing. that battery will sound the alarm long enough to make someone run. they even have them that will call your cell phone or an alarm company if someone is inside it. not sure how you disarm them, remote on the keyring or a keypad on the front of the trailer with a code to enter. i figure with that much equipment in there, i should get an alarm for it. i live in a pretty good area and the trailer will sometimes be coming home each night anyways.

ribble, let me know how you get yours outfitted. definitely use the thicker ply on teh walls withs ome good paint. i think i'll build most of my cabinets and shelves with 3/4 cdx ply and some knotty pine. that way i can build exactly what i want. next kitchen job, i'll take the cabinets from that and put better latches on the doors to keep them from opening during transit.

[RibbleConstruction]

Guzman Thats a nice setup you have there. I think I will steal the diamnd tread idea for some of my stuff too. Hows the paint on the floor holding up?
I am considering spray in bedliner but thats about $600. Not sure if its worth it or not.

Dan I will post pics. I am going to paint the inside this weekend. I want to make my shelves removable. Not sure how I am going to do it. But I also want to be able to haul some quads. Although It would be real inconvenient to take out all the shelves and tools to go play.

[RibbleConstruction]

One other thing. I Dont think an 8.5 is too wide. I like the extra room for sure.

[apgarconstruction]

i have thought about that too, putting bigger things in, so my plan is to keep the front nose and drivers side where all my cabinets and shelves are. and then keep the back part and center isle more open for sleds or quads in the future.

i don't need 18' of cabinets in there. i like seeing most of my stuff. things that can hang along with the generator and air compressors will be on the sides towards middle or back. that way they can easily be wheeled out and make room for rec vehicles.

did you measure the inside width? is yours 96" inside and axles make it 102" wide

[Wizard]

As far as security goes, have any of you guys thought about building a tool cage inside of the trailer? This way a simple padlock secures the doors, so even if they got in the back, they'd still have to get through the cage. If the cage was 4 sided on the front and sides also, it'd be really secure. Just a thought...

[GuzmanProperties]

Ribble & Dapgar,

So far the paint is holding up very well. I can get any oil drips, or grease right off. I can wash the trailer as well, sweep it, wash it and then squeegie it. The only addition I would do is add some sand to the paint for some better traction. Specially on the ramp, I walk on the brite tread just in case. The paint is a glossy finish and tends to get slippery when wet. I would definatley go for the spray on bedliner next time, both on the floor and 1 foot up on the sides.

I feel very comfortable with the 8.5' wide. I have one property on a magor road that I have to back up into the driveway with no problems.

I want to add video cameras to the truck and trailer. One will be hard wired from the cab to the rear of the truck, for backing up and hitching up to the trailer. The other two would be wireless cameras, one on the inside of the trailer - to see any movement of cargo and the other would be on the rear of the trailer for viewing when backing up. They would all feed into a 9" flat screen monitor in the cab of the truck.

As for security, I keep the trailer locked up and have video surveillance on my property as well. This way I can see the theif take my stuff.:eek:

[apik1]

I have a 40' triple axle fifth wheel, I used line x on the floor and 6 inches up the walls, and it made the inside look darker. I did not realise how much light reflects off the floor. I also have a 8000 watt diesel gen, and a good size compressor. Anything haung on the wall must be held down tight. When I made my benches and shelfs I pre-drilled 2x4's and lag bolted them throught the celing and floor, then built off that. It tied everything in. I am pretty lazy but I will take some pics.

[RibbleConstruction]

apik that would be great to see how you made your shelves

[RibbleConstruction]

I got started tonight. Here is picture one. This is before I did anything. Its amazing how fast something gets used and turns into a mess.

[RibbleConstruction]

Heres number 2 after I got it taped up. I would like to get everything out but its raining so that why its messy.

[RibbleConstruction]

Here it is after the primer. Tomorrow I hope to get it painted and start with the shelves.

[Fastjohnny]

For my 4 place snowmobile trailer, I bought a recessed male plug with a rubber cap, actually I bought a 10 pack, so if anybody needs one they are like 15 bucks. (Shameless plug)

This is for running 110 to inside outlets. I also bought an rv convertor so I can run my 12v lights on the 110 shorepower.

I cant decide what I want for 110 lights for additional light. Do you guys think the flourescent lights will get bounced around too much over the road?

I think the spray in liner is a great idea, just haven't wanted to spend the dough.

[RibbleConstruction]

Here it is with the paint done. First one still had the masking tape on. Second is untaped and ready to go.

[RibbleConstruction]

here is the start on the shelves, and a second one with the pegboard up front
thats all i have time for this week. Next week I hope to run the wiring for the outlets and lighting.

[Bandit]

Don't need to call Tom just call the company who put it together for them. That would be Richey & Clapper on the Sudbury/Wayland town line. I saw the trailers there before TOH picked them up. Nice units!!

They have more then one trailer ? That explains it . We have one of our mulch yards there , I often wondered why there trailer was in there so often , I don't haul out of there every day .
After looking over there trailers " a lot ", I bought a Holmes from Airport Trailer Sales . :cash
Bob

[cat320]

The trailer is shapping up now that you got it painted inside.
When i was at the home show i saw some trailers but they where high and wide and set up like moble show rooms ,I have never seen any websites that promote these types of trailers are they just a custom order? Just an idea i had for bring the store to the customer with samples.

[RibbleConstruction]

Im no where close to done. But I only have so much time to work on it. I intend to wire it so I can just plug in when I get to a job and I will have a mobile workshop. I also Intend to mount my generator so if I dont have power I bring my own. I still need put some cabinets in and some bins for nails and screws ect. Also need to hang shovels and everything else on the wall. But it will have to wait till next weekend. At least now I wont have stuff on the floor.

[GuzmanProperties]

Ribble,

I bought a boat "ship to shore" male outlet and installed it on the exterior of the trailer. When I pull up to a house I can plug it in with an extension cord to the house I am working on. It powers up my outlets and inside lights.

[Fastjohnny]

Ribble,

I bought a boat "ship to shore" male outlet and installed it on the exterior of the trailer. When I pull up to a house I can plug it in with an extension cord to the house I am working on. It powers up my outlets and inside lights.


That is also what I was describing

[GuzmanProperties]

aghhhh, very cool, you took my advice already!!!







(just kidding, sorry missed your post)

[BRUNSWICK CONCRETE]

Trailers look great guys.