I’m sure there’s posts here, but I am looking for some tool trailer storage ideas. What are some ways to attach shelves, hooks, etc. to the thin walls of a trailer? What type of fasteners? Anyone have pictures? I’d like to avoid experimenting and get it right the first time. Thanks for any input.
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Here are some pics of my trailer. I've had a few trailers & this is the best I've some up with so far....
Damn! I hate people like you. All along I thought stacking rubbermaid containers were space age technology. Even the darn truck is clean!!
Don't tell me you have an industrial unit as well.roger
I like the crates because you can see inside without having to move them. Plus the racks are intended for them so they move around.
Every milk crate i've ever seen warns of prosecution for unauthorized possesion, yet I dont know anyone that doesnt have at least one.
i was waiting for that. I have a commercial kitchen business and given the amount of product my guys buy the company was more than happy to give me the crates.
. . . and they do sell the "milk crates" at places like Target and Walmart - alongside the storage containers. I think they're real popular with the college dorm kids.Greg
Really nice pictures, thanks. How is the rack of shelves secured in there? What fasteners do you use to secure things to the wall? The ply in the trailer is so thin I worry about things ripping out. Do you use any "nailer" boards? Again, thanks.
the rack is secured to the front wall by drilling a hole through the metal support & putting in a "D" ring clip. When I decide the location of items stored on the rack the heavy items go on the bottom & light on top. On a previous trailer I didn't pay attention and over time the rings pulled out. This system has worked for more than a year now. Just about every trailer supply store will carry the wall mount adjustable clips. There is also an 8' one on the floor next to the work bench. This way I can secure loads to the wall as well as the floor.Restaurant supply companies sell dollies made to hold the milk crates. 2 crates to a layer, so it is easy to move 12 crates at a time.Hope that is useful.Keith
Hey Keith-
Thanks for the reply. I understand the "D" ring through the rack, but how is that attached at the wall?
The plywood covers the vertical metal supports. It is similar to hitting the studs on sheetrock.' I've attached a pic
Just noticed those adjustable anchor strips. Where did you get those? Who makes them? Very nice.
Google up the American Van company. They have it all worked out for you.
They have it worked out even better if you have an unlimited budget!
;)
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I replaced all the luan plywood in my trailer with 3/4 plywood. That allows me to attach anything anywhere pretty much.
JT
everyone who knows me knows this is coming...
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Huck, how did you construct the slides? I'd like to do something similar in the bed of my service truck, but I am reluctant to buy the commercially manufactured bedslides.
Not Huck, but I have seen garage door track and rollers used.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
I wondered about that. Seems like a pretty simple system and easy to find parts. Garage doors weigh a fair amount so it ought to work okay. Anybody else seen this or can provide any details?
Huck, how did you construct the slides?
No slides. The tailgate supports it. When I took my old drawers out of my Toyota and put them in the trailer, they were shorter than the trailer. The extra floor in back supported them when open.
Hope that makes sense. Heres a link to the thread.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=64951.1View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I have a bedslide, and the only problem is that you lose 4" off the bed.
My metalworker buddy bought two full-extension 1500lb drawerslides and built his own unit that lays, basically, right on the bed.
Net cost probably more, but he's got 4" more than I do.
"Net cost probably more, but he's got 4" more than I do."I figure no more than 90 minutes will pass before Forrest or Seeyou take advantage of that statement with a remark.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Don't forget that he also "built his own unit that lays, basically, right on the bed."
Edited 11/21/2008 10:17 am ET by Ten_Thumbs
what can I say?
He's a true Stud, from OK no less!
I'll take some pictures of my trailer for you tomorrow morning... you'll be impressed.
Here's some pics of my rig...
on the right hand side is 28 slide out drawers that use those rubbermaid contaners, which are individually removable if needed. All the slide out drawers and shelves have simple gate latches to keep them secure while driving. to the left I have two stacks of the stanley parts containers - one of the thinner containers and one of the thicker.
Extra shelving and clamp racks though out as shown. There is a hanger built on the back door for my delawt saw stand, and plenty hooks for cords and paintbrushes.
The side door has shelving for my table saw, mitersaw, compressor, and a stack of saw horses on top.
I had the ladder rack custom built about 5 years ago to go on top of my tacoma camper shell, but recently traded it in for a tundra, so for now I've stuck it to the side of the trailer, and with some added hooks it works well for carrying ladders.
I've had this trailer for about 2 1/2 years, and this is about my 3rd revision. I'm planning to get a bigger trailer in a few weeks and their will be even more improvements.
Edited 6/15/2008 8:29 pm ET by drbgwood
Sorry, I'm on a new computer and it might take me a little while to get the rest of the pictures downsized, but this is the best one for the moment....
Over-achiever, you must have a fortune in hardware in there.
How do the boxes on the left stay in? I was going to do something similar and cut my dadoes on a slight angle.
Edited 6/15/2008 8:49 pm ET by rasconc
Edited 6/15/2008 8:55 pm ET by rasconc
It won't cheap... but it's been worth every penny over and over again.
I got the drawer slides from Worth Wood Group. I think they cost about $40 box of 10 pr, which wasn't that bad. The gate latches came from Lowes about $4 a peice.
As far as the trays on the left, I'm just a more carefull driver these days. Rarely do any of them fall, but like you said, cutting the dados at an angle will be my next up-grade.
As far as the trays on the left, I'm just a more carefull driver these days. Rarely do any of them fall, but like you said, cutting the dados at an angle will be my next up-grade.I glued and nailed left over scribe mouldings from our kitchen installs across the shelf with the 'bullnose' facing forward and the squae edge to the bin. Works great.[email protected]
A bungee diagonally could cover a whole stack. A turn button of screenmold or base shoe would work but the bungee would be easier. I use emt conduit clamps to hook mine on.
If I ever get the van presentable I will take some pictures.
HOLY SMOLY!!!!!!
that's looking good...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
your trailer isn't level....
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
I knew somebody would find something wrong with it.
I guess I'll have to put the stabila on it for the next set of pics.
I was reading the bubble on the Stabila!!!;).
.
"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
Do you ever run into the gate hooks?
I included some photos of my trailer emptied.
The bin on the right came from Sams club and has worked out well.
The steal rack on left gets filled with milk crates and tool cases.Buckets go underneath with different hardware in each.Front has a plastic shelf system with all the saws stored there and the chop box on top.
The middle is left empty to load different tool sets up like pressure washer or cement mixer.
The trailer is 6' tall by 6' wide by 10' long.
I welded a grate under the front nose frame to beef it up and create a place to put trahcans filled with tarps.
WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Bumping into the gate latches?... I was stepping into the trailer a few months ago, just as the wind blew the door shut causing a quick chain of events which ended in my elbow catching one, but other than that, they have not been a problem.
I like that they automatically lock everytime the drawers close.
D.WoodBy my estimation you have about $1200 in just storage containers and racks for storage containers! I use the same Stanley parts containers ( I have five Stanleys and six workforce containers) but no way could justify having 36 of the buggers. If I may ask, What do you do? I didn't see alot of tools in there.....you got another trailer for tools? I am a remodeler and understand having alot of onhand hardware but manage to fit all needed hdwr. and a full force of tools in a standard length E250 van.I DO like your set-up though...maybe I should get a trailer, and a microwave.gk
I'm a re-modeling contractor, who likes to be prepaired for anything.
There's a few tools in there, most are just out of site in the photos.
There is also a very uniqe and effective theft-recovery system in place, but that information is classified.
I am going to build a rack for my Stanley and other knock-offs. Will post if it turns out ok.
Where are you in NC? We are about 25 east of Asheville.
Bob
I'm in Raleigh... soon to be in Cary.
I think someone mentioned this idea earlier... but eventually I'm planing to make another rack for my stanley's with the shelves at a slight backward tilt to hold them in place a little better in transport. Also, I was thinking of a slide out shelf about waist high for each stack for the convenience of having a place to set them while accessing parts.
That was me. I am going to do mine using base shoe for runners on the sides. Am trying to decide if I want to use up some plywood scraps and make a box or just do frame similar to yours. I use a 15 pass one ton Dodge van and there is a spot just aft of the rear half of the side door where all will fit without having to climb in.
Plan to make it so I can take it out and take into jobsite if desired. I have been hauling them slid into a shelf on the hinge side but the nice stacking feature of the stanley ones makes it hard to pull them out. Besides, that is a dumping of parts just waiting to happen.
Finally cleaned out the van and got some amenities built. Decided to make the bin storage built-in and not transportable. Put some shelves on the rear section of the side door. Put some magnetic tool holders in several places to hold an assortment of bits so they are available any time. Still sorting things out for best location. For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Very nice, hope you can keep it in such fine condition.The best reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do another.
Thanks, probably will not happen (;-)For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Wow, that is beautiful! I would hire you to work on my house in a heartbeat.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Thanks, coming from you that is a real compliment. You are kind of the Mac daddy of storage/organization IMHO.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Excellent, inspiring set up. I got to looking at the pics and figured it's gotta be an extended van.I have a Chevy G20, hope to show y'all my built-ins, too, but only after a clean-up because otherwise you'd never see anything. God, ain't it the truth sometimes- when you're busy just trying to get the work done, the back of the van can turn into a heap o' cr^p.
Thanks, it is a 2000 Dodge one ton 15 pass. Still trying to refine it. Sometimes I wish it were shorter but most times do not. Sometimes wish it had extended roof but most times do not. I can duck walk through it. Made a rather cute hitch step for it. Need to get a pad for bumper, a previous owner bent the bumper and they must have pitched it because of interference with the door.
Will shoot a couple of daylight pix later.
BobFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Looks Great!
Do us a favor and take a picture of it after the 1st job...I like to see how the original idea transforms after you apply everyday use to it.
I like the design of the rack holding all the fastener cases, great idea putting them right by the door so you don't have to go climbing and digging for them.
Thanks. Actually this is after a bunch of jobs and a cleanout that probably needed a bobcat. Finished a job last Fri and threw about six weeks accumulation into the beast. Was piled to ceiling, front to rear. Pulled it into the garage while DW was out of town and dumped it out and added a few of the smaller things. The tray shelves have been there a while and have really worked out.
I have had the beast right at a year and today was the first time I saw all the carpet and vac'ed it out since I put the carpet and shelves in. The gray part of the shelving was vinyl wrapped jamb stock (Anderson) I got from a customer that had it laying around. The shelves are bolted to hardpoint seat or shoulder harness bolts.
Now would be a good time to inventory for insurance purposes. The length of this thing lets me haul 12'drywall, a 24' ext ladder, 14' molding (16' if flex).
Buried in the shelves is MM, Bosch sander, 18v Bosch set, Rotozip, Planner, biscuit jointer, Bosch finecut and Colt router, 14.4 DW set, Paslode framer, DW cordless 16ga, pinner, at least 4 finish nailer and several staplers, compressor, Milwaukee radio, and God knows what. One of those Husky work tables and set of the Fat max adj saw horses. The Fein vac is always a hit with customers, some of the best bucks I have spent.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Nice set up! I have a hard time staying that organized, I often hit 2 or 3 jobsites a day. Pressed to leave to pick up the kids or something, it all gets tossed in the back. Suppose slowing down would help a bit...How did you get DW to go out of town?
Thanks, I have never been able to keep it this organized but will make an effort to try and at least straighten it up monthly or so. When DW helps she is the tool fetch/put away "scrub nurse". Some friends we just did a remodel for could not believe how we worked together, when we are in stride she usually knows just what I am going to need next. The husband was intrigued by the shelves, etc. Wait till he sees it cleaned up.
Wife is in a quilting guild and she and some of her buddies go to a quilt shop that has a rental house over near Gatlinburg, Tn. They basically have a big pajama party from Thurs- Mon twice a year. I call it the "quilting coven". For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
do you carry a miter saw and tablesaw?
No on TS, got two little cheapies but usually will throw in EZ guide or cut something at home on the big TS. For extended/bigger jobs will either take the DW705 on original Ridgid MSUV or the DW718 and DW stand. Smaller trim I will throw in a Hitachi 10" on a small wood base that fits on a knockoff workmate. Have not put the MSUV in but pretty sure it will fit. I have a ramp I built out of an old satellite dish (two of the ribs) covered in 3/8 plybead.
Usually when loading up for a longer job will use either my 5x8 open trailer or the pickup or throw a hitchpacker receiver carrier on.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
Thanks for the help on that one... If you can do the next one I just posted, thanks for that too!
Here's the pics....
Edited 6/15/2008 11:39 pm ET by drbgwood
Edited 6/15/2008 11:40 pm ET by drbgwood
I think you have more money in hardware and containers than I have in tools!
how much did that cost ... materials ... to build and outfit?
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Those Zag bins are about $10-15 each at Home Depot, but years ago they had two packs of them at Sam's club for about $7 a 2 pack on clearance, maybe cheaper.They're handy sortof - the individual bins come out, but don't bother storing them verticle - they're useless for that unless you just have wirenuts or plumbing fittings in em.I keep my fasteners in a mix of storage trays, some in an Adrian steel unit that's at the front of my 5x10 trailer.Then I picked up some of what I think are the best I've seen yet at Costco. They're a double stack tray setup that can be carried while unlatched and then the upper tray can simply be "opened" and it cantilever's out over the bottom tray with full access to both trays. The cantilevered top tray has built-in feet to keep the entire kit from tipping.I use one for all my screwdriver bits and jigsaw blades and another for router bits. Not cheap at $25 each, but best I've used/found yet.Here's a few pics that most here have seen before. 5x10 Wellscargo with rear ramp and side door.Julian
Here's those 2 level cases I was referring to..Also keep another set of router bits in one of the deeper Zag (yellow) cases with some 1 1/2" foam in the trays with holes drilled in them to hold the router bits tight - works great and can even store it vert if you drill the holes in the foam small enough.Only reason I've got that yellow box set is that it is a Woodline 66pc set that was selling on Amazon for $88 shipped. That's right - $1.33 a bit! They are actually pretty decent and have a lifetime no questions asked warranty.JT
It was no small investment, but I've had the trailer for going on 3 years, and been improving it a little at the time... and hopefully more will be yet to come. I seem to live to work, so it makes life a lot easier.
Cost wise.. I think I got the thin stanley storage containers for about $10 per, and the thicker ones were about $15 per. The rubber maid storage bins are probably around $5 per. Gate latches around $5 per. Drawer slides were a pretty good deal at around $50 for carton of 10 pair, and I recomend Worth Wood Group for those.
I guess a quick guess to the over all cost of material for storage on the inside would be $1500, plus whatever the cost of takeing a week off last year to put it all together.