What's the Best Way to Move a Big Toolbox?

[MrMark]

I'm wondering what type of trailer is best and the straps to get?

I know Mr. Holeshot is expert on this, so I hope he chimes in.

I LOL at his "Fugitives and Ironsides Toolbox Moving Company" sig. I figure if he can push a big heavy toolbox in his trailer, he must have the right equipment.

How many straps are required to be safe?

 

[nissan_crawler]

Rollback, or a trailer with ramps and a winch.

 

[MrMark]

I'm going to need to rent a uhaul trailer. Which one do I get? I don't know "rollback" and I don't think I've seen anything open with a winch at uhaul. I was thinking enclosed might be better, or is that out of the question?

 

[nissan_crawler]

good luck with a uhaul, it can be done, but it's going to be a pain. You might not have a place to hook a come-along or anything, and will have to rely on people to get it in.

A rollback is a type of tow truck.

 

[83diesel]

A lot of guys over the years with double bays or smaller have always had the tool trucks move their tool boxes when they changed jobs, but for anything larger a trailer with a winch or a tow truck. Just check to make sure you get a reputable tow truck and operator and that they will take care of any damage to your box if something were to happen.

Most tool trucks have the e-track and nylon straps with cloth guards for protecting the corners. They usually just throw a strap around the middle horizontally. The trick is getting it tight enough to keep the box from moving, but not deforming the trim.

Liftgate truck will work if your box is a double bay or smaller or if you get real creative.

 

[Skyline]

Rent a 5x9 open ramp trailer from U-Haul. It's about $25/day. I've used these dozens of times, and moved double and tripple banks. You will need some ratchet straps to hold it down. I use heavy ones around the wheels, and lighter ones on the box. I also have a heavy tow strap and come-along if it is too heavy to push up the ramp.

I always move boxes empty. I bring a bunch of plastic crates and put the tools in those, and they go inside my suv. The maximum weight of one of these trailers is 1500 lbs, so you need to watch that. Boxes are much easier to move when they are empty anyway.

I've never had the slightest problem moving a box with these trailers, they work great.

 

[southernfriedcj]

I picked up my MB1900 with my F250. I had a rollback meet me at the seller's house. He winched the box onto his flatbed and then we rolled it into my truck.

When I got home (500 miles later) I lifted one end up with one of my engine cranes, pulled the truck up a few feet and then lifted the other end up with my other engine crane, drove the truck out from under the box and lowered the box down.

 

[Damian]

Fortunately I've never purchased a tool box large enough to require a tow truck. Mine are all between 41" - 56", and can be moved with a lawn trailer and 2-3 sets of hands loading them up. Never needed a tow truck, but the big heavy Snap On/Matco boxes usually need a flat bed.

 

[mrholeshot]

I've taken a lot of heat over my toolbox loading but I'll give you my method. I use as low a tralier as possible with a full width long ramp. I also use a ramp that has a pointed lip so the box rolls onto the ramp easily. Place the truck/trailer in a spot where the ramp, tailer is as level as possible. Trailer jack on the front helps. An empty box rolls easily and large casters on that box just adds to making it roll better. My small trailer like the one I took to GA is low and the ramp is long and transitions smoothly. It has to be because when I go to Lowes, Flea markets or any time I need a trailer I have to carry my powerchair in the trailer as I can't use my carrier or van lift towing a trailer. The trailer has to be low enough for my chair to make a smooth transsision in the trailer. The anti tip wheels don't allow me much angle.

Now if the toolbox is loaded I would remove the trailer gate on my larger trailer (also low) and take a floor jack and get under the center brace of the toolbox inboard of the wheels. Lift it until the wheel a higher than the trailer floor. Back the trailer under the box as far as possible. Then lift the rear of the box with a 2X4 laying on the jack that goes from corner to corner on the back lip of the box. Lift the rear of the box and roll the box in using the jack wheels until the wheels are over the trailer bed and the jack touches. Lower the jack and roll it in .

As far as how many straps I would say it would depend on the size and weight of the box. I screw boards to the bottom of the trailer against the wheels to keep the box from rolling. I use straps to keep the box from tipping over.I don't like moving boxes on steel or aluminum floors.

 

[ZTFab]

JLG drop deck trailers work awesome for moving heavy items like tool boxes.

Mr Mark, depending on what part of So Cal you are in I can give you the number to a buddy of mine that rents equipment. He might be able to rent you one.


Or pay a tow company with a roll back as previously suggested.

 

[Jeeper]

I rented a trailer from Home Depot. Lowered the ramp, me and a friend pushed it up the ramp and then used 6 ratchet straps to secure it. It didn't move at all. Also had a blanket on it just to stop any thing from scratching the paint.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

 

[amorrow]

For what it's worth, I used a trailer to that sits about as high as the one nissan crawler posted to pick up my KRL7023, and I didn't have any problem (with one helper) pushing the ~800lb empty box onto the trailer with a ramp ~5' long.. The nice thing about the one I used was that it had a reinforced wood floor, so I used plenty of 2x4s and wood screws to chock the wheels, covered the top and sides of the box with a blanket so not to scratch, and used two ~2"-wide ratcheting straps to hold it down. I only had to drive 20 miles, and did so carefully, but it remained secure. However, I would've been more cautious with how I strapped it down if it had a top chest.

I was really surprised how easy it was for two people to push it up the trailer. A full box that size would've been an entirely different story, though.

 

[Case IH]

A box truck with a lift gate would work goo I think....I would use some heavy duty ratchet straps like for a car or something and make sureyou put somethin like s few rounds of siran wrap around the drawers in case the locks fail.

 

[Aberdale]

When I picked up my triple bay Macsimizer, I used a skid steer loader with pallet fork attachment. First, I locked the box to keep the drawers closed. Then I wrapped the pallet fork rack with movers pads, drove the forks under the box with wood blocking on the forks for "cushion", picked up the toolbox and strapped it to the pallet rack. I then drove the skid steer onto the trailer and chained the skid steer down, leaving the toolbox strapped to the pallet rack. Drove home, backed the skid steer off the trailer, placed the box in the shop, and unstrapped it. Nary a scratch.

Dale

 

[MrMark]

Thanks MrHoleshot and others. I am going to save this thread and I will try to digest all this later tonight.

This will be info needed to get a used box if I can get the right deal. MrHoleshot's box is my ideal box and it won't be bigger than that.

That drop down trailer looks really good. That is probably the best if avail, if not I think I could push the KRL like mrholeshot's up some low ramps pretty easy.

 

[larry_g]

That drop down trailer looks really good. That is probably the best if avail, if not I think I could push the KRL like mrholeshot's up some low ramps pretty easy.

I have to second the drop deck trailer. If you look toward the end of my build thread below you will see pictures of one in use to move some of my equipment.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[glenmore]

For my KRL 761 (empty but had SS top) I rented a U-Haul truck that had a long ramp so it wouldn't be too steep. The seller and his son loaded it for me and I unloaded it myself. We tied the box in the corner using the panels of the truck as tie down points.

 

[CamarosRus]

I rented a U-Haul MOTORCYCLE trailer to move my 60"x60"x28" Stanley Vidmar.

They have a ramp, low to the ground

Pics below show my KRL1022 being moved the BEST way!!!!!!!

 

[fflintstone]

When I had to move all my tools I used my 8’ x 20’ tandem axle trailer. (2 plus loads) my tool storage is (2) 40ish bottom boxes on a homemade cart with HD casters. To load the trailer with all the tools I put rhino ramps behind my back wheels and baked my truck up to put the front of the trailer way in the air. I put the ramp down and put plywood over it. My tool storage was 2/3’s full and it took 3 people to push it up the ramp. I see no problem with any toolbox that is empty regardless of size. Take your time and don’t do anything stupid.

 

[CamarosRus]

 

[MrMark]

I rented a U-Haul MOTORCYCLE trailer to move my 60"x60"x28" Stanley Vidmar.

They have a ramp, low to the ground

Pics below show my KRL1022 being moved the BEST way!!!!!!!

That's what I'm talking about! That is a box all right.

Now what is that trailer?

 

[spongerich]

You guys are pussies. It's got ******* WHEELS on it. Just toss a chain around it and hook it to the rear axle of your truck.

Here's mine..

 

[TheGrooveking]

You guys are pussies.

Well you know you are what you eat

TheGrooveking

 

[Coach James]

If boxes keep getting bigger and bigger, you're picture may not be far off the mark.

Coach

 

[CamarosRus]

Pace American 20' 10,000GVW Shadow GT...............................

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Rent a 5x9 open ramp trailer from U-Haul. It's about $25/day. I've used these dozens of times, and moved double and tripple banks. You will need some ratchet straps to hold it down. I use heavy ones around the wheels, and lighter ones on the box. I also have a heavy tow strap and come-along if it is too heavy to push up the ramp.

I always move boxes empty. I bring a bunch of plastic crates and put the tools in those, and they go inside my suv. The maximum weight of one of these trailers is 1500 lbs, so you need to watch that. Boxes are much easier to move when they are empty anyway.

I've never had the slightest problem moving a box with these trailers, they work great.

^^^^^^ this man has it figured out, he is telling you what I would have said.

Charles

 

[premierplayer]

drop deck trailer as previously mentioned

United Rentals

 

[phor53]

Great info. I'm in the process of purchasing a large tool box too

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk

 

[Formula]

I've always had a flatbed tow truck move mine. Fast and easy for about $100

 

[WhiffySpark]

I’ve done flat bed uhual and utility trailer.

Last time I loaded my epiq on my 6x12 and bent the ******** ramp