Moving Large Box

[Way4]

I know I seen some conversation on moving "Large box" but most were just bottom chests. I have a large box with top box and side cabinet. I do not work in the garage any more and want to move it to my house. I'm sure I can get a tilt trailer with a winch so getting it lauded is not my trouble. To me is straping it down to make sure it does not fall over while I transport it. Any help in ideas I'm unsure about putting a strap over it because I don't want to bend anything.

 

[mwalsh9152]

a couple of 3" straps over the top. I would usually put a piece of cardboard, or a moving blanket over it to avoid scratches. Dont crank it down, just enough to make sure its not going anywhere. I would strap it front and back to.

 

[highland512]

Last time I moved mine I ran 1" ratchet straps around the box to ensure the drawers stayed closed. Ran 2ea 2" straps over the top of the box, 1ea 2" straps on front and back, and screwed 2x4 wheel chalks to the deck of the trailer. It didn't move a mm over the 50 mile trip. Should be even easier in your case without having to worry about wheels.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

We moved my triple bay double box with a ramped trailer. bought it from an old mechanic. I had been prepping the for this moment for years. I had all kinds of ideas on come-alongs, straps, cables etc. I was about to explain how we needed to do it to my son, when the old guy said, 'No Need to get fancy. I've done this a couple dozen times with my boxes and friends boxes. Get a running start and get it up the ramp." I cringed as he included several hundred pounds of free tools that were still in the box, but that worked really well. We strapped it down, including a couple over the top with plywood and cardboard.

But for the love of God, please make sure you lock your box before it moves an inch. Shifting tools and opening drawers hav caused many accidents lately. And frankly, I don't remember seeing top straps on any of those.

PS be sure to grab the taunt straps at the end with a crinkled chin, and then say, "That 'aint going nowhere." It's a rule.

 

[930dreamer]

If the bottom box has wheels, screw a 2x4 in front of it(wood deck trailer), put the top box in the truck bed or floor of the trailer and place a piece of plywood on the front/back of the box and ratchet over it.

 

[Michael_in_DE]

No top straps. A box is not a car. Don't strap it down like one.

 

[Toold_up]

I'd knock together some 2x4's into wedges and use them as braces against the tool box. Bolt them to the trailer if you can. Made them at least 1/2 the height of your stack if not the same height.

 

[Way4]

Thanks for all the ideas. I never hauled it down the road myself so I wanted to be sure not to dump it. I have the keys to all the locks so I should be good on the draws opening.

 

[930dreamer]

I'd still put something in front of the drawers to cover them.

 

[rsanter]

I would strap to all the casters to help prevent the box from moving.
Then I would strap around the box to be sure the drawers are secure.
Strap over the box to prevent tipping

 

[Legion Prime]

More straps never hurt. My experience is more with motorcycles than toolboxes but rather than running a strap or two over top of it I'd rather do two (maybe three with a long box) wrapped all the way around with each anchored on opposite sides. One you anchor on the left then you wrap all the way around the box and then anchor back on the left and then a second you anchor on the right wrap it around and anchor the other end back on the right side. That way you tighten them both down and they hold it in place against each other, the one on the left keeps it from moving to the right and the one on the right keeps it from moving to the left as opposed to one strap over the top which just holds it down rather than in place. Plus being wrapped around the box it can either help hold the drawers closed or hold something in place to keep the drawers closed and without putting as much load on the casters/wheels.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Last time I helped do this with a trailer....

Unload the tools

Wrap top/sides in moving blanket

Run 2 straps around tool box to keep drawers from coming out (lightly tighten)

Wrap circumference of tool box with strap to keep moving blanked from flapping around.

Put blocks (two 4x10x20) with glued on carpet under tool box between casters so the casters are not touch the ground. You get extra points for lag screwing diagonal 2x4s between the blocks so they cannot tip over under hard breaking. The carpet protects the tool box paint.

Strap down with lots of straps. Do not over tighten and crush tool box.

A bit overkill? Probably. But having seen brinelled bearings before I try to avoid shock damage where possible.

 

[Spencer Was Here]

Tipping over would be my biggest concern. Throwing straps over the top of the unit is not the answer.

If it were mine, I would build a wood frame that fit over and around the top box. I would then add tie downs on all four sides of that wood frame going down to the sides of the trailer.

This would be in addition to already having tie downs going from the four casters or whatever robust anchor points you have near the bottom of

 

[plinker]

I used a smaller U-haul trailer one time, sides were about the height of the box so strapping was easy. I did unload the box before moving it as well.

A strap(s) around the box covering the drawers may not be a bad idea, the lock should keep the drawers shut however. Moving blankets/tarps are needed.

Cardboard bent around the corners under the straps are a good idea as well.

Having some assistants during the loading & unloading is helpful.

 

[NitroShark]

Pro's would use cardboard sheets first around the box, then surround the box with "Shrink wrapping"

Tie down after that as necessary...

 

[tool_scrounge]

Pro's would use cardboard sheets first around the box, then surround the box with "Shrink wrapping"

Tie down after that as necessary...

Shrink wrap is great, but too much is a bad thing. I have seen inexperience folks crush stuff due to too many wraps of the stuff.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Uline and other places sell stiff cardboard corners for shipping. Those would prevent the straps from damaging the boxes

 

[seber]

I had to move my boxes a thousand miles on a flatbed when I retired. I put blocks under them to lift the casters off the deck. I then put padded and framed plywood on top to take the force of very tight straps. I was able to put the boxes face to face so a piece of plywood between was all the drawer security I needed. but if that were not the case I would have strapped it in place. Straps over the top in both directions with plenty of tension held them just fine. I forgot, I also strapped them together.

 

[dr_clyde]

If you've been a longtime customer, many tool guys are willing to move boxes in their trucks for you.

My Matco guy has offered when techs have moved jobs in the past.

When I move my boxes, I remove all lockers and top chests, and move them individually. You're asking for trouble moving a full box with top chest and lockers all at once.

I forklift them onto the trailer, ratchet strap the drawers shut and then tie down to the trailer. I move them full, but if you're unable to move it full, I would empty it instead of struggling with it full. Especially if you don't have a forklift.

You could also hire a rigger. They are insured, and are used to moving heavy, expensive things like machining centers. My rigger charges $175/HR, and is very good. Well worth the few hundred bucks to safely move an expensive box full of expensive tools.

I find most rigging accidents happen when DIY type folks try to save a few bucks when they should hire help. Moving heavy things is no joke, and you need to know when you're in over your head.