Transporting large toolbox in open trailer

ron in sc · Aug 8, 2008

I'll soon be transporting a toolbox in my open trailer a distance of nearly 200 miles; weighs about 1000 lbs, about 73" wide x 29" deep x 46" tall. I will chock both sets of wheels on both side with 2x4s screwed to the bed of the trailer. I have plenty of ratching tie down straps.

Problem is to protect toolbox from rain which I'm almost certain to encounter. I'm concerned about putting a tarp over it because if any part of tarp gets loose it will most likely beat itself against the toolbox.

I've though about puting OSB on the top and sides with maybe foamboard against the toolbox but I don't want to cause more problems.

Any suggestions for trap or anything else to keep toolbox dry?

Joe B. · Aug 8, 2008

Maybe use a car cover instead of a tarp. Good ones will have a soft inside liner that won't scratch. Tape the tarp up with packaging tape and it won't go anywhere. (Tape on the tarp...not that box.)

mikester · Aug 8, 2008

Get a roll of wide plastic wrapping like they use to wrap skids of boxes. I think the stuff we use at work is 24" wide and we use it to hold skids of loose computer monitors together for shipment. The stuff holds up really well and if the box is completely wrapped starting at the bottom I think water will have a hard time getting through it. It will just run off. You might find it at a home depot or lowes.

ron in sc · Aug 8, 2008

Maybe use a car cover instead of a tarp. Good ones will have a soft inside liner that won't scratch. Tape the tarp up with packaging tape and it won't go anywhere. (Tape on the tarp...not that box.)

That's an interesting idea. I have a few older car covers I don't use anymore. I have to check their condition.

Then I could put the tarp over the box and use so much duct tape that it tarp will stay on the box without flapping around. With that size box I can see using a lot of duct tape, which would be fine.

mtwaterguy · Aug 8, 2008

maybe just wrap the box with an old blanket first. Then put tarp over that. Use your straps to hold the tarp tight. The blanket should protect the box from any damage.

FunfDreisig · Aug 8, 2008

ron in sc said:
That's an interesting idea. I have a few older car covers I don't use anymore. I have to check their condition.

Then I could put the tarp over the box and use so much duct tape that it tarp will stay on the box without flapping around. With that size box I can see using a lot of duct tape, which would be fine.

Movers wrap stuff in padded blankets held in place with bands of packing tape sticky side out. They simply overlap the tape so that the inner layer sticks to the outer layer. That way the padded blankets don't get damaged. Packing tap is very strong, not very sticky (but it only has to stick to itself) and cheap compared to duct tape.

Funf Dreisig

kartracer55 · Aug 9, 2008

a lot of car covers "breathe" to allow moitsure in and out, at least the ones I use. Theres tons of reasons for it but yeah keep that in mind.

Honestly though, I would say moving blankets and wrap it all up in a tarp. Basically wrap up the box (except for the wheels) then strap this entire package down.

Brad54 · Aug 9, 2008

Buy a plastic drop-cloth...very heavy mil thickness.
Wrap and duct tape it in place. It'll protect it from the rain.
Heavy duty cardboard (or several layers of cardboard) over the corners where you'll be putting the ratchet straps.
If you want, first put a moving pad over the box, then wrap it in plastic and secured it with Duct tape.
Cheap, simple, water proof. Or at the very least, heavily water resistant. It's only a couple hundred miles.

-Brad

rsanter · Aug 9, 2008

mikester said:
Get a roll of wide plastic wrapping like they use to wrap skids of boxes. I think the stuff we use at work is 24" wide and we use it to hold skids of loose computer monitors together for shipment. The stuff holds up really well and if the box is completely wrapped starting at the bottom I think water will have a hard time getting through it. It will just run off. You might find it at a home depot or lowes.

this is exactly what I was going to recomend.
the other choice would be to bag the toolbox and then do the wrap as described.
a couple of layers of this stuff is very water resistand

bob

volvo · Aug 9, 2008

.
Go buy and use an extra set of heavy duty tie downs, ( $18-25 for 4x set at HD) super cheap insurrance. Those loaded boxes car weight more than a big *** car. Have a good and safe trip...H

v8garage · Aug 9, 2008

mikester said:
Get a roll of wide plastic wrapping like they use to wrap skids of boxes. I think the stuff we use at work is 24" wide and we use it to hold skids of loose computer monitors together for shipment. The stuff holds up really well and if the box is completely wrapped starting at the bottom I think water will have a hard time getting through it. It will just run off. You might find it at a home depot or lowes.

Good idea, but I think I would wrap it with blankets first and then the plastic wrap.

PeteW · Aug 9, 2008

I would put a moving blanket or two over the box to protect it from the straps and then shrink wrap the heck out of it. You can find shrink wrap at UPS stores, rental places, and even some Targets.

The best thing about the shrink wrap is that it covers the entire moving blanket so you don't have to worry about wind getting under a lose corner or anything.

JohnK007 · Aug 9, 2008

Depending on the roads you're transporting the box from and to we are only talking about a 3 or 4 hour drive at interstate speeds. I be inclined, after making sure it was well secured on the trailer, to wrap a tarp or plastic wrap around it, and just go for it. I'd make certain that the front was protected in case you kick up a stone so the paint doesn't get chipped.

jcp907 · Aug 9, 2008

I have used the plastic wrap with blankets from CT to MI (~900 miles) through some nasty weather including rain and snow. The plastic wrap is nice because it sticks to itself, and is less likely to have the wind get a hold of it as compared to a tarp or plastic sheet. It is worth a layer of packing tape around the end of it just to be sure though. You should be able to find it at Uhaul if Lowes or Home Depot doesn't have it.

Here is my $.02-Use cardboard around the bottom of the box so the plastic can be wrapped all the way down. If the trailer doesn't have a full floor, wrap cardboard in the plastic, and make a floor with it-fasten it well or make it big enough so the box is holding it in place. Protect the side of the box facing the front of the trailer very well with cardboard or blankets as suggested, as this is the side that gets road spray. Tie it down and check it at about 10 miles then forget about it. I am not a fan of wheel chocks and straps unless the chocks are fastened to the deck-I prefer ratcheting straps at each caster and one over the top.

Bevis · Aug 9, 2008

I'd say shrink wrapped and then have some cardboad on the front to protect it from anything that may be kicked up by your vehicle. ratchet straps at each corner and oner over the top.

ron in sc · Aug 9, 2008

Thanks to all for many, many exellent suggustions.

I have a new thread I just started requesting hints for loading toolbox on trailer.

Flash21 · Aug 25, 2008

Hey all - I wanted to follow-up with another question. Someone outside of the forum recommended that when transporting my toolbox that I get it off its casters during transport - ie jack it up and put some 4x4s or something under it to support the box by the bottom. Is this recommended? This is a heavy duty box (with spring casters) that will be empty during transport.

How do the big manufacturers ship them? I assume they are on a pallett but are they supporting the weight of the toolbox by the casters during transport?

ron in sc - did you do this during transport or did you just let it ride on the spring casters with wheel chocks?

Thanks

ron in sc · Aug 25, 2008

ron in sc - did you do this during transport or did you just let it ride on the spring casters with wheel chocks?

I just let it ride on the spring casters. I did chock each of the four wheels in the front and rear of each wheel.

I supposed if you transport a large toolbox in a trailer with no shocks, springs of anything then maybe on a rough road the toolbox could get damaged. I think if the trailer has any kind of suspension you should be fine.

Flash21 · Aug 25, 2008

ron in sc said:
I just let it ride on the spring casters. I did chock each of the four wheels in the front and rear of each wheel.

I supposed if you transport a large toolbox in a trailer with no shocks, springs of anything then maybe on a rough road the toolbox could get damaged. I think if the trailer has any kind of suspension you should be fine.

I think that the U-Haul trailers have standard leaf springs, not sure if they have shocks.

nissan_crawler · Aug 25, 2008

I've hauled toolboxes halfway across the country, never thought of taking them off the wheels. Hell, dad's ancient 26" Craftsman we couldn't even lift the TOP off of with two of us. We had to use the skid steer to load the box on the trailer...it went 800 miles loaded like that. I just screw wood blocks around the wheels into the trailer deck, then strap them down.

Transporting large toolbox in open trailer

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