Loading large toolbox in open trailer

[ron in sc]

I think I may have a problem loading toolbox due to how steep my ramp is. Even I we can push it up I'm thinking the toolbox may hit the trailer in the center because it's so steep. Toolbox is about 72" long with a set of wheels on each end.


Suggestions?

 

[jcp907]

Jack the nose of the trailer as high as you can and use 12' 2X10 or 2X12 with supports in the middle so it doesn't collapse. You may want a comealong also.

 

[jcp907]

Use a jack to get it up onto the 2x10 or 2x12 if necessary.

 

[W-Cummins]

Disconnect the trailer from the truck and chock the wheels. Then have some one stand on the ramp so the trailer tilts back and roll it right in. I loaded my 1003 into a U-Haul enclosed trailer that way ( well the seller and I did) and it was harder as we had to lift the front up over the 6"+ lip at the back of the trailer.

William...

 

[ron in sc]

I loaded my 1003 into a U-Haul enclosed trailer

What is the distance between the front set of wheels and the back set, measured from center of front wheel to center of rear wheel?

 

[nissan_crawler]

Just jack the ramp up. Get the box as far as it will go, then throw a 2x8 across the back of the ramp, and put a floor jack under it.

 

[W-Cummins]

What is the distance between the front set of wheels and the back set, measured from center of front wheel to center of rear wheel?

about 69"

William...

 

[FunfDreisig]

Just this AM I was wondering how to handle the nearly 2 ft elevation drop off one end of the attached carport of my new garage. Thanks to your question I realized that I need to make it into a loading dock

Funf Dreisig

 

[christian]

do you have wooden ramps to load like an atv or something into the back of a pickup? those will do the trick.

 

[ron in sc]

you can and use 12' 2X10 or 2X12

I have several 2 x 12 x 12s that I keep at my buddy's farm. I used to use them to drive over so I could get my Porsche over the mid rise scissors lift. I just brought 2 back so I might try to rig up something tomorrow.

 

[nissan_crawler]

If I can do this, you can get that toolbox on a trailer...

engine, no cherry picker at the time...pickup was sold, engine had to come out. It was one hell of a ride, I made it almost to the back of the garage. yes, I rode it down so I could steer.

 

[ron in sc]

Finished putting together a loading ramp for toolbox. It's 12' long. Used 2 x 12 x 12s, 6 x 6, 4 x 6, four bolts and a 2 x 4 x 12, which was the only piece of wood I needed to buy.

Ramp seems very solid and not real steep. I did go ahead and make a same curb on each side. My buddy told me I did not need it but it makes me feel better knowing it's there.

 

[nissan_crawler]

nice job, are you pushing it up by hand?

 

[ron in sc]

nice job, are you pushing it up by hand?

I was thinking we would have to push it by hand. Is there a place where I could attach a strap to the toolbox and use my comealong? I would not think I could attach strap to handle.

I would also like to use comealong to let toolbox off the trailer slowly.

 

[brantjs]

I would think you could wrap a strap all the way around the box and hook your come-along to the strap. The other end of the come-along you could probably attach to your hitch?

 

[nissan_crawler]

I would think you could wrap a strap all the way around the box and hook your come-along to the strap. The other end of the come-along you could probably attach to your hitch?

That's how I've done it. I have a winch on my trailer, so I just run a strap behind the item, hook it up to the winch, and push the button.

 

[FunfDreisig]

Are you going to show us the tool box that deserves this level of reverence/effort.

FWIW I moved very large tool boxes, etc by removing the drawers/contents prior to loading/unloading. That way the actual "box" is pretty light. But not to worry, you now have a honkin' set of ramps

Funf Dreisig

 

[nissan_crawler]

Are you going to show us the tool box that deserves this level of reverence/effort.

FWIW I moved very large tool boxes, etc by removing the drawers/contents prior to loading/unloading. That way the actual "box" is pretty light. But not to worry, you now have a honkin' set of ramps

Funf Dreisig

My toolbox is over 500 lbs with the drawers out, not what I would call "pretty light".

 

[fourfeathers]

My toolbox is over 500 lbs with the drawers out, not what I would call "pretty light".

Same here! We emptied the *******, and were set to pick up each end.
Ummm, I weigh 195, Dad is 210, we lifted it 6 inches. That was enough, out came the forklift.

I gotta figure out how to load the Matco 3 bay with side lockers, hutch, and top hutch, if I ever get around to selling it. Brought it in on a flatbed rollback, and it weighs 1200# for the bottom alone. IIRC

 

[bmwpower]

Ron....what did you buy??

 

[FunfDreisig]

My toolbox is over 500 lbs with the drawers out, not what I would call "pretty light".

Well that kind of depends on who (or what) is doing the lifting. For example, I could toss your toolbox in my trailer in a New York second with my Kubota's 3/4 ton fork lift

Seriously, it all depends on the tools/equipment you have at your disposal. My little 5x9 will haul 5,000 lbs. I have a set of "ramps" for light weight stuff. But if those puny 2x12s can't handle it, I just lift it in with the Kubota's fork lift. And if it is still to heavy, I lift the tongue of the trailer up (with a trailer ball installed on one of the the forklift tongs) and haul it in with a come-a-long. There are lots of ways to skin most cats. But some times you have to think out side the litter box

Funf Dreisig

 

[nissan_crawler]

Well that kind of depends on who (or what) is doing the lifting. For example, I could toss your toolbox in my trailer in a New York second with my Kubota's 3/4 ton fork lift

Seriously, it all depends on the tools/equipment you have at your disposal. My little 5x9 will haul 5,000 lbs. I have a set of "ramps" for light weight stuff. But if those puny 2x12s can't handle it, I just lift it in with the Kubota's fork lift. And if it is still to heavy, I lift the tongue of the trailer up (with a trailer ball installed on one of the the forklift tongs) and haul it in with a come-a-long. There are lots of ways to skin most cats. But some times you have to think out side the litter box

Funf Dreisig

So...you're saying your answer had absolutely nothing to do with his question. Oh, and if my box was full, you wouldn't touch it with a 3/4 ton lift.

 

[clueless]

i used a single axle trailer similar to the one you used,but i put a 1/4" piece of steel on the tailgate then pushed the box onto 2 pieces of 1/4" steel where the wheels are,then strapped it all down,both around and over it in the center of the trailer.it stayed in place for over 55 miles on the interstate!and that box was the kra2418 with a top box loaded with tools!the box alone weighs in at 850+ lbs!

 

[ron in sc]

Ron....what did you buy??

A Snap On KRL1003. See thread in link for a couple of photos.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20927

 

[FunfDreisig]

So...you're saying your answer had absolutely nothing to do with his question. Oh, and if my box was full, you wouldn't touch it with a 3/4 ton lift.

No. All I was saying in my original post was that EVERY toolbox gets lighter when you remove the drawers and contents. So it puts less strain on ANY type of ramp, lift etc. Hence it reduces the strength needed on the ramp, etc and the people/equipment trying to get it into a trailer. It really simple -- you just break down the problem into more manageable pieces.

As for my comment about lifting your tool box... I would not try to lift/transport any loaded tool box in a small trailer. It's simply too easy to have the load shift inside the drawers.

Funf Dreisig

 

[ron in sc]

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I'm heading up early tomorrow morning and should be back home later in the day.