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Just wondering, how many of you guys use open bed trucks to haul your stuff around? How many prefer using vans? And how many pull utility trailers behind them to carry their gear? I have a F-150 with tool boxes and lumber rack, but no cap. I always have trouble transporting my SCMS, contractor TS, sawhorses, stands, etc in the back bed of my truck. Rain, theft are 2 biggest concerns. Could buy a truck cap with built-in tool boxes for around $1500. But then, becomes hassle climbing in to reach miter saws / table saws etc. Could attach a rollout bed inside this truck cap so everything slides out for easy reach, but there goes more $$.
Could buy a trailer but again more $$$ and a royal pain to drag that box around everywhere I go for small remodeling gigs (that still require all my tools ) Although I could easily fill up a trailer with all the stuff I transport….not to mention load and unload every day (aaagh!)
Soooo, how about it. What’s your preferences?
Just curious.
Thanks,
Davo
Replies
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Get a cap with side doors.
The long side windows are really locking doors, just like the back.
Have all the windows replaced with lexan if they aren't already.
*Truck and trailer.I have an enclosed trailer. Like to leave it on the job with 4 wheel locks and all my stuff locked inside. Leaves my truck bed free for a quick run to the yard. I like having EVERYTHING with me. Trailer also acts as advertising as my logo is on the sides. Easy access with a door on the side and ramp on the back. Lots of little cubbies for fasteners, sand paper, spare parts, blades etc. Hangers for lots of cords and lines. 5 gal. bucket inside for you know what when there is no job johnny. Best part: lets me ride my scoot to the job in the summer.Rich
*I've had the trucks with various toppers. Last one was a heavy all steel topper with a flat top that I could load lumber on and side doors to access tools - that was pretty nice - still a pain in the rain though. Bought a van about a year ago - don't think I could go back to a truck. The only thing I miss about my truck is the 4 wheel drive, on a rare occassion. But the van always has everything in it, plus room for lumber. Got a 5x10 sheet of smooth steel that I cut out for the wheel wells and laid on the floor. Great for sliding things in and out or crawling around on. Also put shelving all along the passenger wall and across the bulk head up front. On the side I have it facing out for access to most used tools through the side doors, faces in along the back half so I can reach it through the back doors. Table saw, Miter saw, Folding horses, and roller stands are all straped in place along the drivers side - lined the whole side with plywood so it is easy to screw in a hold down anywhere. Plywood slides in on its side right along passenger side shelves. 2xs and such go on the floor with an oppening cut through the lower part of the bulk head can run long material up between the front seats.Long story shortI like a VAN
*Well organized Van. Capt. chair for the driver. Custom built shelves for all the crappola (keep 49"+ between for flat hauling,I have this ht at sawhorse level). Don't get a dodge, not 48" straight up at back doors. Can haul 12' dry between the seat and the eng. cover. Behind the seat wall (metal, aftermarket or factory) case you stop quick. Plywood floor for mounting plumbing strap/bungie cord wherever you need for holding material etc. You'd love it.
*haven't done the van thing yet, but like them as Cal suggests (I've seen his--he forgot to mention the naked lady mudflaps, fuzzy dice, and the mattress in the back)Have used the rest. Right now I park a semi trailer on site. Not too convenient for city use, or small remodel jobs, or hauling anything, but I can store a whole house of icf forms, all the tools, 48 foot long i joists, and still have a gigantic table for plans laid out, a break table, you name it. No comparison for storage!MD
*I have an aluminum body Grumman step van.Bought it used for $5000. Set up with workbenches and plenty of hauling capacity.When the engine goes pop in a new one,it's the last truck I should have to buy. The only problem is all the guys on site who don't have the tools they need, always want to borrow stuff.
*I like the trailer idea, as I like to keep my options open. Kinda like what Rich Watkins said. You can drop the trailer and make material runs. Then the P/U is available for other things, like weekend camping trips or whatever. You can wire the trailer for 110/220, and set up a semi-permenant miter saw station, lights, or whatever in it. Maybe even a fridge. Throw in a small grill and picnic table for lunch at remote sites. You can always throw a couple of tools in the P/U and run to small jobs. Just my $.02 worth, even though I'm not a contractor. There are a couple of guys around here who use trailers and I borrowed these ideas from them.
*Yo MD, couldn't open the file. What can I use? MS said it didn't recognize it. And thanks for the van play by play, you musta missed the "you bet your dupa I'm Polish" bumper sticker. I'm very fond of that.
*Full size van. Hands down the best. And they pull trailers too.
*Just had this conversation with a buddy, he swears by his panel van. But he has a third car at home. My pickup is also my primary mode of transport and I don't like leaving my stuff in my truck at a remote boat ramp. mhoRich
*Full size Chevy G-20. Full built-ins, angled backs to maximize curved van sides. Holds ALMOST everything I own. Sheet goods stand upright, 12 ft. down the middle. The van's for me! -Ken
*Van works best for me, too. But I always oogle those cube van the plumbers have. A person can stand right up in there. You could have a nice little portable shop, with a roll up awning off one side to put a pair of sawhorses or miterbox table under...but I'd be hard pressed to part with my van, versitile beyond belief.
*The trailor works for me. I do lots of small remodeling and handyman jobs, sometimes several in a day. My 10 footer pulls behind my short truck with ease. I can always find parking around town with my short rig. Organization is key. Everything has its place and I clean out at the end of each day. Like others said I can leave it on site and use my truck to haul my mountainbike or go grocery shopping. What do you suppose the guys that drive thier tool laden trucks 24/7 spend in xtra fuel bills? Like others, my trailor is a giant business card as well.
*tknight- Mountain biker? Where do ya ride?
*Davo,I like my F150 SC but a friend just bought a used ambulance that has lots of built in boxes and room to stand. He also gives free mamograms.KK
*Nope, I remember the sticker!don't know what happened to the attachment, will have to check with Luka.
*I have a big Ford E250 extended van. I like all the room, and I like that I can haul 12 foot stock inside, including sheet goods. Its easier to park and manuever than a trailer. I don't like all the stooping. A 6x12 trailer is easier to work out of. If I was forced to choose between a van or trailer, I'd flip a coin. Seems like all the advantages of one system are the disadvantages of the other.I have a van because I got a good deal on it.I can see the value of having a step van someday...if I ever have enough stuff to fill it!I use metal sawhorses that fold up to about the size of a 48" 6x6. I carry 4 horses in less room than one site built horse takes. They seem almost as strong as horses I can build myself.Currently, I'm usually a one man carpenter show, doing all that carpenter stuff...from repair to new construction on residential homes.
*Here it is, thanks to Luka.
*M.D. what do you use to pull it? That pickup looks just a mite undersized for the job...
*Well, so far it seems like the van is a "hands down" winner. Thomas M, I agree with you...I have 2 sets of those folding metal sawhorses too. I love em. I leave my wood built ones at home...too heavy and takes up too much room to transport. Paid $23 for a brand new set...money well spent.Nice picture Mad Dog. Casey, it looks like M.D."s pickup is a Chevy. Nothing wrong with Chevies, I like em just fine...but you know darn well he aint pulling no tractor trailer with it.Mad Dog, I've been contemplating about setting one of those trailers behind my house right next to my shop. It sure would give me some badly needed storage. Don't think my neighbors would appreciate it though. Neighborhood is already starting to go to hell all thanks to me. I'm never gonna finish getting my own house remodeled...too busy with others.Davo
*Davo,I wish these van proponents could convince me that I wouldn't mind crawling around on my poor,sore knees.I am tempted to give a van a try,however,and I just may do that if my '88 F150 with 250,000 miles on original engine ever gives up.jw
*Seen more than one guy around here buying the old Canada Post trucks to use. I guess they have all the advantages of a van with added headroom. Plus lotsa built in boxes and nooks and crannies... But none of them offer free Mammograms.
*How long you been hoping for a free mammogram, JAG ?b : )
*Jweck,I don't like the idea of dragging my knees around either. That's why I'm leaning toward a trailer. I can actually stand up inside them.AND, that's also why I'm against a truck cap; I'll have to be crawling around back there too. BUT, I think if I had a van rather than a cap, I might get away with crouching around...but with a truck cap, never.Trouble is...I LIKE MY TRUCK! Looks wise, body wise, and running wise...it's a "dream" But hauling wise...it's grosely inadequate the way it is presently configurated. Ahhhhhhh, what to do!For you guys hauling small trailers (6ft - 12 ft long), not you M.D. (ha! ha!) what brand did you buy?Does anyone know where I could buy say a 10 or 12 footer complete with dbl rear door and a side door, tall enough for a 6ft person, for around $1500?All I'm seeing in those sizes are $2200 to $2500.Thanks,DavoHalf tempted to hire a few of my ole steel mill buddies to weld me up one from scratch. The bodies on the trailers I see today are such THIN GUAGE...I almost think they must be building them overseas someplace.
*Hey,Just dawned on me...nobody yet has mentioned whether they have tried or use one of those rollout jobs like EXTENDO BED. anybody use them? like them? hate them? Davo
*Thanks Scott. Who drops that trailer for you? And no advertising. You could show your whole life history.
*Davo:I think those trailers at Home Depot are around that price....but you are getting what you pay for. Spindly axle, paper thin body and questionable hardware on the doors. I purchased my 16 footer with tandem axle, chrome wheels, commercial tongue and pintle hitch and horse trailer quality body for around $3000.00 (slightly used) from a local trailer co. They build them from the ground up.I looked at those at the Depot and found snow had blown inside the box where the panels met.Rich
*I'll bet. And according to recent studies, they are probably about as useful for finding cancer and saving lives ;-)Mary
*Luka,Maybe JAG is more interested in giving them, not getting one.Rich Beckman
*Hands down my extended Ford super van. I keep the commercial plates off so I can go on parkways as well. I've always had vans cause its the makes the most sense.
*That works Rich. I was trying to come up with a witty comeback, and you saved me the trouble. So there Luka!! Just think if you had a mammogrammer and that helper in the Burqa...
*As to the Van, Truck, or Trailer discussion. I go with the van, for all of the above reasons. The trailor does sounds tempting, but it would need to have as much space as the van. But then there is the prospect of driving around town pulling a big trailer.If I can't fit the materials in the van, I can probably get them delivered.Rich Beckman
*Davo,We use a 7'x14' cargo tailer with a ramp. I love it. We have our advertising on the sides and back. The trailer can be unhooked at the job site or at home, freeing up the tow vehicle. Tools can be left locked up. The ramp gives easy accessibility to the heavier pieces of equipment that roll on and off (no lifting for potential back problems). The ramp can get a little slippery when wet - we're going to put on an anti-skid surface. I put E-channel on the walls at various heights allowing us to stack and strap in place stuff like scaffolding and larger items. We have some "bells & whistles" on the cargo trailer also like tandem axels, side door with 2 locks, break-away safety braking system, clear roof vent, interior lights, interior paneling, vinyl flooring (takes abuse and needs repair, but better than gouging up the deck), spring assisted ramp (can open and close easily with 2 fingers) and extra height (6'-6").We were going to put in built-in shelving, but we didn't. We went to stackable large Rubbermaid Roughneck containers and love them. In addition we put garden hose holders on the interior side walls to hang our air lines, water lines, garden hoses and electric extension cords. I like this much better than heavier fixed shelving, and it gets them off the floor where they always seemed to end up causing people to stumble on them occasionally, particularly at the end of a long hard day. In addition we keep power handtools in their individual plastic work cases and toolboxes - we buy one if they don't have one available. We have them color coded. So each angle grinder - 4-1/2", 5" & 7" has everything that it needs in its own toolbox. Other consumable supplies are kept in a Roughneck. If we're going to use several consumables, we simply take the appropriate Roughneck out of the trailer and take it to the location on the job where it will be used, saving time and effort and at the same time keeping it containerized so that it doesn't get damaged or "walk away" as easily. The E-channel also allows us to use bungie cords to hold 5 gallon pails in place along with other pieces of heavier equipment like a pressure washer and texture rig.After using this setup for 3 months now, I wouldn't go back to the van or capped pickup for anything.Cliff.
*as for the "crawling" issue with vans - If you set up shelves that face out the side doors and put your most used tools there and within reaching distance of the back doors, you don't have to crawl very oftenI often thought that an old beer truck would make a real nice work rig. Roll up doors all around the outside to walk up and access tools, side areas are low to the ground, heavy suspension, must be pretty secure carrying all that beer around, and maybe I just always wanted a beer truck.
*First off,I dont think we all do the same things. That matters a lot. Unfortunately for me I do a lot of different things,unlike the lucky ones that are specialized in one thing .I have had to be as versatile in my hauling as my work.Since noone has mentioned it;I have a utility truck lined with boxes that I use to death with the small tools that stay on the truck .I have a small bed space that barely suffices. In addition to that I have three trailers that are open. [different look]One trailer I built my self that is a work station. It has a chop saw,table saw,compressor,and generator on it set up ready to use when I get out of the truck. Thisis kept in a building of its own when not in use. I have eight and sixteen ft utility trailers that will haul anything from plastic storage boxes to roofing and garbage haul off such as roofing ,dry wall scraps and tore out carpet. Im lucky enough to have a garage and a shop that will keep the trailers overnight when loaded.Im also like Cliff in that every thing has a box. Just switch boxes as the job progresses;rough tools,concrete tools,..... all the way to finish ,painting tools,etc. I used to spend a lot of time and thinking trying to remember if I had the right tools aboard. Not any more. I had to do this to do renovation work, as its just too extensive to keep up with every trade as it changes. It may well change at noon on wedesday.I also might get a call from a renter and have to switch at any time. I will quit blabbing. I do have a lot of respect for the vans, but they take time to access some tools, normally the small ones. The utiliy bed shines in that respect.One case in point that happend last friday;I was enjoying putting up fence with the made trailer when I got a call from a renter that her house was flooded. I unhooked from the trailer and was there in ten minute with a snake,meter key,vacumun on board.Seems the tiolet was hung open and a stoppage in the main drain line was the culprit in flooding the house.In one hour I was back at the job putting up fence. I left the vac with the renter to get the water up since it was at least half their fault.
*Looks like ICFs, TJIs (some cantalievered), uh huh, uh huh, looks like someone's integrating modern techniques and materials. Lookin' good, Mad Dog. Now, about that landscape...
*Been using stubby Chey vans, plywood floor and shelving, for years. Properly organized(an ongoing feat)they work well. No parking problems. Use a roofrack for sheetgoods and longer boards, etc. Have had the yard load palleted shingles onto the rack. Pass shingles onto the roof as needed(one story only of course). Also use a small open utility trailer for materials/trash as needed. Envy those stepvans for convience but... A good van setup AND an enclosed trailer, with headroom, is almost enough (there's NEVER enough). The tractor trailer is good if you've got the space to park it. I'd have a living space in there.The hardest part for me is making sure there's always a tarp to cover my tools when I return from windsurfing. Saltwater dripping onto tools is a NO-NO!
*Landscape? Take a look at this moon shot:
*Casey, Davo, Calvin,I used to pull it with a Volvo semi, which I've now sold. Now I just get a local guy who owns a semi to move it as needed.Yep, it's a chevy, still going strong. That's the one I pull my 32 foot travel trailer with and have hauled bobcats, backhoes with too. It doesn't like that very much but keeps living.
*Hadn't really though about utility trucks, but see a few of them around here. One guy took a wrecked utility truck (Front end smashed in) and turned the back half into a trailer. I thought it was a pretty slick and inexpensive idea. And you also make a good point - Not everyone does the same type of work.
*Davo, I found mine used. The new ones around here run $2300 or so, I got ine for less than half that. Look at your local Kart racers/Motocross racers/Snomobilers. They tend to buy beyond their means and you can get good trailors from them as they are lightly used. I found some amazing trailors with lights and generators this way!I also use boxes for each type of tool. I have a clear type stacking system. Now if someone could devise a way to keep paint and caulk/sealers in the trailor at below freezing temps.............I wonder about a refrigerator type thing with a solar panel on the roof?
*I have all three... I am going to sell my Ford van.. 1992 middle sized one.. Will let it go for $3500.
*Thank you one and all.Yes, I agree the trailers you see for sale at Lowes & Home Depot are rather frail looking. That's mainly what I was looking at, butIMHO not enough "bang for the buck" if you buy one of those.TKNIGHT,thanks for the advice, I'll keep my eyes open for one of those racing type deals. Sounds pretty good.Hey Mad Dog, You like those styrofoam concrete... errr... ICFs, huh? Have you had many blow-outs? What's the day rate for a pumper truck in your area? Do you use mechanical vibrators with that set-up...I would assume you do. Never used that type of form. We are still really old fashion here...concrete block foundations mostly....and yes, most of em do leak like a sieve! We got a local contractor in our area who goes by the handle "Leaky B.A." What a character he is...always on local TV commercials. For $2500, old Leaky will come and repair your leaky basement. He's made a darn good living doing so too....but we still press on with the concrete block trade...a lot of Italians living here who lay brick & block.HEY! Where's all the guys who use the extendo beds? Looks to like that product is more gimmick than game.Soooo, how about it?Oh, and LSiders...a 1992 work van for $3500? Not where I live. $2500 to $2800 maybe...but hey...whadda I know? Your van may be pristine, and be a real "find." LOL.Davo
*I know that Pro Deck has the extendo bed system, He has posted pics of it and the way he has it set up. You might try doing a search for some of his posts. Personally I have used Pickups, Vans, and Cargo trailers. I don't think I will ever give up my cargo trailer, and if possible I will probably buy another larger one soon. The only thing not mentioned by the other trailer owners is put a ladder rack on the trailer as well as on your pickup. It sure comes in handy to be able to haul the ladders on the trailer and a load of lumber on the truck.
*Davo,I like the icf's because they give me another way to make money. I take it all the way to excavation, setting footings (so I know they're perfect) and the forms themselves, all jobs I used to avoid. I have had one blowout, and one serious bulge. The blowout was an easy fix with no harm done, save the loss of a couple shovelfulls of concrete. The bulge proved to be more difficult, shows up in a slightly off-kilter door opening in the back of a garage. Minor.I don't use mechanical vibrators. I pump it myself from a boom truck, shooting it onto rebar to break the fall, and we vibrate with hammer taps. Mechanical vibrators are more likely to cause separation of the stones in the concrete mix so it is not recommended by the icf manufacturer.The pump truck costs me about $700 more than a conventional pour, but there are many advantages, especially given the difficult site access on these walkout jobs. The one in the picture was nothing but coarse sand, and due to cave-ins, a 15 foot chute would only reach the house in 2 spots, so we would have had to move it by hand. To me, it was a pump job from the start, icf or not.
*anybody got pictures of their set-ups inside the vans or trailers? I just got a 1 ton 15 passenger van and am trying to figure out how to set it up.
*Depends where ya live and work. I'd love a trailer...but I live in the city...and I'd never get it out of my alley.....let alone I have no place to park one. And.......probably couldn't find a parking spot at half the jobs, either. Used to work out of a pick-up with a cap. Still have it. But......never looked back since I got my first van. On the second one now. Bought used, in good shape. Chevy G-30...one ton, 350 ci. I need that suspension to hold all the weight of just about everything I own....and have a little extra for all the materials that will still fit. I need the V-8 to pull that weight up all the hills around here. I can do an easy 75mph on the parkway with a full load of tools and a light load of materials.....and park just about anywhere. And what's with the kneeling??? Ya scoot around....like in a pitchers stance......unless ya gotta reach over stuff....then ya kneel and stretch. Mine came with the full factory shelves/bins.....it's a love/hate relationship. A place for everything....even lockable drawers......and that place is usually too small for carpentry tools! Even has the headache rack......close that door....and no one can see thru. It came with one small side window....smaller barn door...and one rear window. Blacked out....just enough to see out.....Jeff
*Around here, you might get a lot of practice backing a trailer down long driveways or backroads unless you scouted everything out first. I drove a Chevy Suburban for years and much preferred it to the van I had or to a pickup with a cap. It didn't have the headroom of a van but it felt a lot more secure on the road. The rear doors allowed pretty easy access to whatever I stowed in the front part of the rear section. Unfortunately, Suburbans have become pretty pricey - not that pickups haven't, so now drive a diesel C2500 pickup to pull my skidsteer and tractor.
*I want, no...I lust after a F350 super duty, dual cab w/ 4x4 and a diesel!!! BUT I can afford my 79 E350 van. Its an old Fed-X truck, new engine, tons of shelf space. Keep most of my tools in it, can still get some lumber inside or on roof rack but also have a 12' utility trailer for drywall or plywood. Also use it to deliver cabinets that I make. Am looking hard at a 18' cube van for the cabinet side of the business. I hate unloading a pick-up every night or sleeping with one ear open so untill I can justify a 12' utility bed F350, make mine a van.
*And a van is a lot better to sleep in if the old lady puts you out.
*Davo-Just traded to a trailer...went from 8X24X6'6" to 8X16. Won't do anything else. Have worked out of a back of a truck for a long time..(Rain and snow) then did the topper..(Still crawling around back there) Then to a flat bed 7X14 with JobBoxes and lumber "cage", now to the enclosed. We have it set up with "Gorilla" shelves u get at HD and strapped them to the sides. More storage and is visual. Have everything from nails, redheads, caulks, strapping, to every power tool on the shelves. Compressor is in the corner. 150' of 10-4 wire to bring 220 from panel to trailer, then to GFI breakers. (If no 220, you can back feed the panel with double male cord. Only leaves you with 15-20 amps though) Hard lined the airline to the rear doors and put on ext. fittings thru the wall. (Just clip in 1 supply to a 3 way, the 'y' off that) 1 HO 8' Flour. is plenty of int. light. Have two 12V Floods on rear and on the front. Have micro (Pawn shop), and coffee on all the time. Grease boards so the crew sees our timeline and progress. 1500w heater on roof, and it dries the raingear at night. And like the guys say.. you can drop it off and make those quick runs. I like dropping it off at home and still be able to take the wife out, without having to transfer everything. Always dry inside. Good place to have lunch if rain/snow. I guess it depends on your specialty. Myself, mostly framing crew and siding crew, so its perfect for us and our jobsites...everyone else has diff. strokes though. Oh...$$$$???? Got my first 24' in the paper.. 1999 Interstate for $3400 (worth over 6K) Took that and traded it after a few months for a brand new 16' for the diff. of the tax and lic. (24' was a little 2 big. The 16' is a hit though..easy to pull, track/backs nice)Try Truck Trader if you have it in your area, or the best thing is to stop at a larger trailer retailer..they usually always have a line on used ones or have them traded in regularly. Sorry so long winded...hope this helps...wish someone had for me....have pic's..now if I only knew how to get them on here......
*Hey Everyone,Thanks again for all the great info. I still haven't made a move yet. Still hauling with my truck and emptying every night. Haven't bought me a cap yet.Keeping my eyes open for a good used van or small box van deal. Trailer would be nice, but I'm sorta in the same situation that Jeff Buck is in...narrow streets and not much parking room. Hey Pro Deck! If your out there...how about posting...or send some pics of your Extendo Bed .Thanks,Davo
*Davo,I hope this attachment works. It is a link to a discussion where Pro-Deck posted a picture of his extendobed system. Pro-Dek "pickup truck tool storage" 1/16/02 11:03pm
*re - The bodies on the trailers I see today are such THIN GUAGE...I almost think they must be building them overseas someplace.--------More then likely the steel is from overseas...which (finally) resulted in the recent Bush tariff.
*Someone should tell him that he's about to lose $5k worth of tools, he just passed me doing 78, and forgot to close that thing up~!