Moving a full tool chest

[fr0mastaj]

Hey fellas

I will be moving next month... and im not too sure how to go about moving the my tool chest:

Are you supposed to remove all the tools from the drawer first? I'm paranoid that if the truck goes over a big bump, some of the tools will get jammed into the little cracks between the drawers or something... Although it seems like a major pain to box up all the tools

Any other tips?
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Ifa Advice

 

[Walterchang]

When I moved I took the top box off, locked them both and rachet straped them in the truck bed. I did have a truck with a lift gate which made it easier.

 

[nate379]

Last time I moved I just pulled the drawers out and loaded them in the truck. I only had to move ~1 mile so I wasn't too worried about it.

Even with the drawers out it took 4 guys to lift the top and bottom cab of my box into a pickup truck.

 

[hguerrero]

i'd empty it before moving it.

 

[caper]

I wouldn't worry about the tools getting bounced around.I've driven thousands of miles in my service truck with regular tool boxes like that mounted in the back.The odd time you go to open a drawer a wrench might be jamming it but a little wiggle and it falls right back in the drawer.I've moved my boxes halfway across the country several times and never taken anything out of the drawers.No problems.

 

[nate379]

We move them all over the WORLD with our work toolboxes and they hold up, but we have forklifts to move them around, not 3 or 4 dudes and a pickup truck.

I figured it made no sense to take a 700lb (empty) toolbox and try to lift it with another 700lbs of tools when I could quickly pull all the drawers.

 

[chevytrucks91]

we usually load the bigger boxes on flatbeds. but smaller box a landscape trailer or something works fine. i wouldnt worry about removing the tools. ive never seen any problems with tools left in.

 

[fordbroncodave]

what i did was take all the drawers out of the tool cabinet and set them on bathroom towels. then i loaded the cabinet on the truck and inserted the drawers again with all the tools in them. transported it 50 miles and not a single tool fell out of the drawer

 

[alex71]

I'm sure my next move is going to involve a forklift. There's just way too much heavy **** in this garage.

 

[selohssa]

One of my local Snap-On guys will move it for free with his truck and power tailgate if you are one of his customers. He will even do it if you are moving out of his area. Just another reason to support your tool dealers.

 

[Packard V8]

I don't think a regular forklift would handle my largest box. I'd need one of those heavy equipment cranes with outriggers, like they use for lifting locomotives back onto the tracks. ;>)

jack vines

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Are you supposed to remove all the tools from the drawer first? I'm paranoid that if the truck goes over a big bump, some of the tools will get jammed into the little cracks between the drawers or something... Although it seems like a major pain to box up all the tools

Any other tips?

What kind of truck are you using?

In general, I would say that removing your tools or even drawers is overkill. I moved my toolboxes 750 miles in a moving truck and didn't have any problems.

 

[Stick Figure]

I moved my US General (HF Box) 1500 miles by just loading it in a moving truck, and nothing was more than a quick tidy up from being back in perfect order. The top box wasn't bolted to the bottom so i just strapped it w/ a few ratcheting tie downs. I've moved it locally once with an open trailer, twice by tow truck, once by tool truck. Never had a real issue with anything. Don't over think it, just make sure you secure it inside the truck or trailer or whatever.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

flatbed for me
3500 lbs

 

[johnny1290]

I just moved all my shop equipment a week ago about 20 miles. Best advice I can give you is *get the truck with the power liftgate on the back* Oh my garsh did that save my back!!I was out of my mind to consider anything else.

I moved everything by my lonesome and all told including the rental of the bitchin' aluminum hand truck(well worth it!) it still cost under $100. Well add another 30 or so for diesel, give or take.

Overall it didn't cost too much more than to rent the big van and couldn't have been easier to load or unload with that lift.

I had an empty toolchest, but that was because I bought a new one during the move

figured I already had the truck, so why not?!?

 

[nate379]

All depends what you call regular. We have one at work that has a V16 Cat motor, 7ft tall tires. It lifts 40ft containers weighing 50,000lbs with ease.

I mean shoot we use the little 4k units to load some more paper in the computer's printer Those reams are like 5-6lbs each... don't want to strain yourself you know!

I don't think a regular forklift would handle my largest box. I'd need one of those heavy equipment cranes with outriggers, like they use for lifting locomotives back onto the tracks. ;>)

jack vines

 

[fr0mastaj]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Sadly I think I only have a pick up truck (Tundra) at my disposal for this. All the replies make it sound like a major biotch in the weight department! I guess i will end up either removing all the tools first or drawers. Bah!
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Free **** video

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

When I moved my box I took everything out of it and put it in a bunch of plastic tubs. ALL the sockets went into zip-loc bags to make it easier to unpack. I used a hoist to put the top box in the bed of my truck and moved the bottom on a trailer...

 

[johnny1290]

Good luck bro! Whatever you do, don't be a hero, take it easy on yourself and be safe.

All those tools are nothing compared to your back or your knees! I guarantee you'll use those a lot more

 

[Rarified27]

Moving a full stack on a lift gate is dangerous by yourself, regardless of wheel locks, etc.

Not all of those gates are a direct vertical lift, so tipping is a big safety concern.

Unless the gate has a remote, have someone (if you can) ride the gate and balance the stack.

 

[Skyline]

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Sadly I think I only have a pick up truck (Tundra) at my disposal for this. All the replies make it sound like a major biotch in the weight department! I guess i will end up either removing all the tools first or drawers. Bah!

Rent a 5X9' open ramp trailer from U-Haul. $25/day. When I move toolboxes, I empty them out first into plastic tubs. I've used these ramp trailers many times without a problem. Bigger boxes are simply too heavy for the trailer otherwise.

I know a lot of folks use flatbeds, but I've seen a lot of boxes damaged at the lower lip because the angle is too steep for the transition between the ground and the bed.

 

[00S4Boy]

Where in MA are ya and how far are you moving it?

 

[cronic]

I have that exact same box with the three pieces and moved it last month 90 miles. All you need to do is remove the drawers, unstack the three cabinets, load the three cabinets in the truck separately, and put the drawers back in each cabinet. Then roll on down the road.

 

[eborcim]

Last time we moved, I had two Craftsman boxes like that. Just made sure they were locked, put the drawer sides facing each other with cardboard between, and strapped them in for the ride on my open trailer.

 

[fr0mastaj]

Rent a 5X9' open ramp trailer from U-Haul. $25/day. When I move toolboxes, I empty them out first into plastic tubs. I've used these ramp trailers many times without a problem. Bigger boxes are simply too heavy for the trailer otherwise.

I know a lot of folks use flatbeds, but I've seen a lot of boxes damaged at the lower lip because the angle is too steep for the transition between the ground and the bed.

Unfortunately this truck doesn't have a tow hitch....

Where in MA are ya and how far are you moving it?

Im currently in Quincy, moving to Abington...so not too far. But still a pain none the less!

I have that exact same box with the three pieces and moved it last month 90 miles. All you need to do is remove the drawers, unstack the three cabinets, load the three cabinets in the truck separately, and put the drawers back in each cabinet. Then roll on down the road.

Glad to hear from someone who has the same exact setup! I havent seen many people with Kobalt boxes on this board... I will most likely end up doing it like this...


Again, thanks for all the tips guys!
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Kitchen Measures

 

[welderwink]

I don't think a regular forklift would handle my largest box. I'd need one of those heavy equipment cranes with outriggers, like they use for lifting locomotives back onto the tracks. ;>)

jack vines

you peaked my interest, do you have any pictures?

 

[MarcSeattle]

I think you should buy a new 72" roller cab and have it delivered to your new address. Sell the old box on CraigsList. Move the tools in milk crates.

 

[arkangel06]

Your too lazy to just take out the tools? Come on man...

 

[NJHandyGuy]

Rent a 5X9' open ramp trailer from U-Haul. $25/day. When I move toolboxes, I empty them out first into plastic tubs. I've used these ramp trailers many times without a problem. Bigger boxes are simply too heavy for the trailer otherwise.

I know a lot of folks use flatbeds, but I've seen a lot of boxes damaged at the lower lip because the angle is too steep for the transition between the ground and the bed.

You must have had the dumbest tow truck driver ever.

I move 5-8 boxes a week not 1 damage claim to date.

as far as moving stnad ups like that if he takes 2 4X4's and put them underneath and he has the RIGHT dolly refrigerator not the uhaul $4.95 one
then he can move it like a regular refridgerator. just put cardboard around it tape eveything shuit and make sure nothing is moving. when you go to set it at you r new house pull the 4X4's from uinderneath and carefully open the drawers a little shake will reset them

hope this helps

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Are you a tow truck driver? Looks like a headache rack behind you in your avatar pic.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

Yes Sir Owner/Operator Liberty Towing & Recovery l.l.c

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Yes Sir Owner/Operator Liberty Towing & Recovery l.l.c

Oooooh! You should post up some pics of your rig(s).

 

[Alowes2837]

I,ve just shipped my tool box with tools in it along with the rest of my workshop from the UK to Florida. I am expecting the draws not to be as tidy as when it left but the movers assured me everything will be fine. It is insured.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I,ve just shipped my tool box with tools in it along with the rest of my workshop from the UK to Florida. I am expecting the draws not to be as tidy as when it left but the movers assured me everything will be fine. It is insured.

What company did you use?

 

[NJHandyGuy]

I only have 1 right now 2007 f650 with chevron 21.5' steel deck. Nothing special. Black and the only lettering is my d.o.t # and City State on the toolbox just me and my truck cleaning junk cars out of NJ

i got the cat motor and an allison transmission

and currently trying to save for a repo truck

sorry i am am WAY off topic

moose if you want www.libertytowing.webs.com

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Thank you, Jay.

What kind of Repo truck are you after?

 

[NJHandyGuy]

dynamic 701btw on a new ford 6.4 or preferably dodge 550 chassis

 

[WSMC633]

Piece of cake to move a box like that. Get a friend, lift the top and mid box off, load them in the truck. Get a ramp, roll the bottom in and strap 'er down. Done it many times for friends.

 

[Stogies]

I second the tow truck driver skill. My brother-in-law was in the same location for 20 years but has had to move 3 times in as many years. He always has a Rollback do it for him and they put 3 roll boxes on the truck. I live in a small town, so driving a tow truck is a pretty good job. I bet in large cities they have a lot of turnover and less skill.