Let me start off by saying three things.
1. I have a very understanding wife
2. I have great neighbors.
3. As Forrest Gump said, “ I am not a smart man!”.
With that out of the way a little background. My brother and I were discussing how to get additional temporary storage space. I am a pack rat of sorts and also have too many projects going on at one time.
I live in town so space is limited. He knows of guys in his town in similar situations. They however cannot build sheds based on the city ordinances. Some were getting around the restriction by using enclosed trailers as storage.
In my mind a great idea however being the cheap skate that I am I did not want to spend project money on temporary storage. Used small to medium sized enclosed trailers are going for around $1,500-$2,000 around here. Move to #3 from above. What about an older travel trailer? The idea being used it for storage, when I have managed the projects back into the confines of the garage scrap out the camper to recoup cost and keep the frame axles and title to build another trailer. The title is the key as it will cost you about $150 for an enhanced inspection on a home-built trailer in PA.
Craigslist presented several exampled under my self imposed $500 limit. Many were single axle and too small. Some were scams. Most were gone by the time a contacted the seller. Others were to far away. I was looking for one about 20’ long within 75 miles of me.
Fast forward to Sunday. While having my first cup of coffee of the day while checking Craigslist I spotted one 14 miles away in my price range posted at 6:30 am. I was longer than I wanted but would fit. It was worth a look. I contacted the seller at 8:30 and was on site by 10:30. It had a new deep cycle battery and one full propane tank. The tires were up. Because of the year it had a heavy C channel frame and heavy duty axles. We agreed on a price however there was an issue. It was at the bottom of a huge hill next to a creek with little more than a goat path out. I figured it went down it had to come up. Luckily the ground was tacky but not wet. I hooked onto it with my 2000 Expedition and in 4L yanked it out of the hollow.
I lost a wheel bearing on the way home but it arrived safe and semi-sound in front of the house. See #2
It fit nicely next to the garage again see #2
It is actually not in bad shape. There are a couple of leaks as you would expect on a 1979. I have not had a chance to check out the appliances but they appear to be in good shape.
My math so far:
Trailer $400
Battery -$90
Propane -$15
Cost avoidance on title -$150
Net investment so far in 168 sf of climate controlled storage and a dual axle trailer frame
$145
Next is what to take out or leave in and what appliances to sell for additional savings. I will keep you posted. If anyone else has taken this route please chime in.
1. I have a very understanding wife
2. I have great neighbors.
3. As Forrest Gump said, “ I am not a smart man!”.
With that out of the way a little background. My brother and I were discussing how to get additional temporary storage space. I am a pack rat of sorts and also have too many projects going on at one time.
I live in town so space is limited. He knows of guys in his town in similar situations. They however cannot build sheds based on the city ordinances. Some were getting around the restriction by using enclosed trailers as storage.
In my mind a great idea however being the cheap skate that I am I did not want to spend project money on temporary storage. Used small to medium sized enclosed trailers are going for around $1,500-$2,000 around here. Move to #3 from above. What about an older travel trailer? The idea being used it for storage, when I have managed the projects back into the confines of the garage scrap out the camper to recoup cost and keep the frame axles and title to build another trailer. The title is the key as it will cost you about $150 for an enhanced inspection on a home-built trailer in PA.
Craigslist presented several exampled under my self imposed $500 limit. Many were single axle and too small. Some were scams. Most were gone by the time a contacted the seller. Others were to far away. I was looking for one about 20’ long within 75 miles of me.
Fast forward to Sunday. While having my first cup of coffee of the day while checking Craigslist I spotted one 14 miles away in my price range posted at 6:30 am. I was longer than I wanted but would fit. It was worth a look. I contacted the seller at 8:30 and was on site by 10:30. It had a new deep cycle battery and one full propane tank. The tires were up. Because of the year it had a heavy C channel frame and heavy duty axles. We agreed on a price however there was an issue. It was at the bottom of a huge hill next to a creek with little more than a goat path out. I figured it went down it had to come up. Luckily the ground was tacky but not wet. I hooked onto it with my 2000 Expedition and in 4L yanked it out of the hollow.
I lost a wheel bearing on the way home but it arrived safe and semi-sound in front of the house. See #2
It fit nicely next to the garage again see #2
It is actually not in bad shape. There are a couple of leaks as you would expect on a 1979. I have not had a chance to check out the appliances but they appear to be in good shape.
My math so far:
Trailer $400
Battery -$90
Propane -$15
Cost avoidance on title -$150
Net investment so far in 168 sf of climate controlled storage and a dual axle trailer frame
$145
Next is what to take out or leave in and what appliances to sell for additional savings. I will keep you posted. If anyone else has taken this route please chime in.
