Moving large tool boxes.

[2ndGearRubber]

I'm expecting to be moving this, along with a few other things, in the near future. I need some feedback on my plans.

The right box is full, as are both of the lockers on it. The left box is full, but the locker is not bolted on and will need removed. It is empty currently.

The snap on dealer will move stuff for ~$150 per trip. He believes the lift gate will handle the weight AND fit through the opening to the truck. I'm not sold, but I havent broken out the tape measure yet. Two trips, $300 roughly.

My plan is to remove the empty locker and transport that by trailer most likely. The right box would shed one locker onto the left box, for convenience and standardization of methodology. This would give me two identical objects to work with. IF the boxes will not fit with lockers attached into the truck, mainly concerned about height, my solution is wood 4x4s. The KRL lockers have holes underneath in the base platform. I would remove the lower drawers place a 4x4 underneath as something to lift the box by, and then a piece of plywood inside the box. Then I would run construction screws through the plywood, through the holes in the base of the locker, into the 4x4s. That would make maneuvers and alignment with a hand truck much easier. Lift off the box with an ATV jack, lower, tilt onto hand truck.

The lockers weigh about 275lb empty, I figure I have less than 500lb total for each locker.


I have not investigated tow trucks yet, nor renting my own lift gate truck. The only thing I can find reasonably local is a 16ft lift gate van, but I'm not sure as to the capacity of the lift gate. Width is 96" for the lift gate truck. I think I can swing a 72" box with 24" of locker hanging off. That is if the lockers are opposite the casters. I can tilt the caster end in first to make it inside, the pull the locker in. It'll be tight I think.


I'm also concerned about damage dragging the boxes up the tow truck. They have to make it up the bump onto the ramp and not have whatever we're dragging them up by collapse. I'm legitimately worried about a caster issue just from the load involved.

I expect to move the two other cabinets and probably the cart myself, I can use an 8ft bed pickup for that. Thoughts on these ideas? Should I just use a tow truck? My father mentioned the expertise of the snap on guy being a plus, but I'm not sure how many big *** loaded boxes he has moved.

 

[Oldsnapper]

When one of the guys I worked with took his big toolbox home when he retired, he rented a trailer that the deck dropped down to the ground. It wasn't a tilt deck. It was a drop deck like this. I think he said it was about $200 Cdn to rent for the day. You would be able get a couple of boxes on at a time.

 

[Poltax]

I would empty your boxes. Any large bump or pothole may cause an issue and collapse a drawer.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I would empty your boxes. Any large bump or pothole may cause an issue and collapse a drawer.

I've considered, but it's not entirely feasible. I would then need to rent another truck or something to carry the contents. Not sure how I would even organize all the stuff outside the boxes.

I figured I would remove the sensitive electronics, and measurement devices, as well as pull super heavy stuff out like ball joint presses or bearing tools. All of that I can throw in my car, it's mostly just heavy-*** cases. I'm not sure how I would even empty, say, the wrench drawer.

Snap-on guy seems to think I can just put it on the truck, if it fits, and the liftgate can lift it, fully loaded. IDK, like I said he seemed confident conceptually. "Yeah it should fit". "Should"? Not a fan.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Did you have any luck finding another job?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Did you have any luck finding another job?

I have an interview tomorrow afternoon. Frankly if it's generally comparable and I meet their qualifications I expect to take it because it's a position to do mainly diagnostic work. If that does not work out, I have some back-up routes. I move slowly, and plan to offer 2 weeks to my current employer. I'm not sure if I'd just get fired or not. Probably be in their best interest to keep me on, but that's their choice.

The long and short is I expect these boxes are going to end up elsewhere in the near future. Not 100% where that will be as of today, but I do expect them to be moving.

 

[Snapped-off]

I rented a drop deck trailer from United Rental (just like above) for $65. Borrow/rent/friend a truck and you're golden.

After moving my junk HF boxes cross country and back while fully loaded. I wouldn't bother unloading a snappy box for a local move.
Roll it up (by yourself) and

 

[d.mcfarland]

Good luck tomorrow! Keep us posted. If you need to borrow my truck let me know

 

[Rusted Nut]

I figured I would remove the sensitive electronics, and measurement devices, as well as pull super heavy stuff out like ball joint presses or bearing tools. All of that I can throw in my car, it's mostly just heavy-*** cases. I'm not sure how I would even empty, say, the wrench drawer.

Take heavy stuff out, load your box in truck/trailer, then load the tools back in. Yea a little bit of time, but not bad.

 

[yellowbox]

Have snapon move All that stuff , 300.00 is a steal , hell even a third trip, at 450.00 total is a deal
Around here getting one box moved by a wrecker is minimum 350 and most companies will flat out tell you they don't wanna **** with it at all ....which I don't understand cause for them it's easy money
It's just the area of the country I guess , when I lived in florida moving a box was a non issue and cheaper too

 

[Jim greengo]

Letting the tool guy deal with the liability if something goes wrong seems pretty reasonable to me ,how much damage would it take to burn up $300 on 1 of those boxes?

 

[yellowbox]

I would empty your boxes. Any large bump or pothole may cause an issue and collapse a drawer.

**** that , they will be fine just making extra work is all the drawers will be fine

 

[APEowner]

I would empty your boxes. Any large bump or pothole may cause an issue and collapse a drawer.

This isn't exactly a scientific test but my boxes have traveled thousands of miles loaded with tools. All of them came across country loaded when I moved from Upstate NY to NM and the one that's in the race trailer has about 20k miles on it.

 

[The Cobbler]

to me, $300 is a deal , even at 3 loads for $450 .

 

[hoston23]

When one of the guys I worked with took his big toolbox home when he retired, he rented a trailer that the deck dropped down to the ground. It wasn't a tilt deck. It was a drop deck like this. I think he said it was about $200 Cdn to rent for the day. You would be able get a couple of boxes on at a time.

I moved my 120 inch box fully loaded 2 years ago with a trailer similar to this. I rented it from United Rentals. Costed about $200. Best money I ever spent.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I moved my 120 inch box fully loaded 2 years ago with a trailer similar to this. I rented it from United Rentals. Costed about $200. Best money I ever spent.

I would need to rent a truck as well, doubt my Mazda3 is pulling a trailer. Do you think a place would rent a truck and trailer as a combo?

I did look around for the hydraulic trailer, that thing looks absolutely perfect. Less work that Snap-on most likely, which is mainly what Im shooting for. The less I take apart off the boxes the better. I'll check the costs on that.

 

[rust in the eye]

Flat bed tow truck

 

[Oldsnapper]

Flat bed tow truck

This would work fine for one box but for multiple boxes, would have to pull each up individually, tie it down and then pull the next box on. If any tie down came a little loose, when the deck is tilted, could start to move. I have seen a couple of boxes moved with a tow truck. Some used the J hooks on the front casters to pull the box on. Others used a fabric sling around the box to pull on. I liked the j hooks better as it was closer to deck for when casters start on to the deck. Straps tend to be higher up and if the casters don't want to climb the deck, could tip.

 

[mjdarg]

I would need to rent a truck as well, doubt my Mazda3 is pulling a trailer. Do you think a place would rent a truck and trailer as a combo?

I did look around for the hydraulic trailer, that thing looks absolutely perfect. Less work that Snap-on most likely, which is mainly what Im shooting for. The less I take apart off the boxes the better. I'll check the costs on that.

I rented a similar trailer from Sunbelt to move a milling machine. I don't believe they have trucks for rent, but any 1/2 ton pickup from Uhaul or other rental location should be fine pulling that trailer with the toolboxes on them.

 

[Snapped-off]

I would need to rent a truck as well, doubt my Mazda3 is pulling a trailer. Do you think a place would rent a truck and trailer as a combo?

I did look around for the hydraulic trailer, that thing looks absolutely perfect. Less work that Snap-on most likely, which is mainly what Im shooting for. The less I take apart off the boxes the better. I'll check the costs on that.

Uhaul/Home Depot. The drop trailer I rented had a pintle. Up to $75 now but not bad.

 

[gleman]

I'd call around to flatbed wreckers if you're moving them local.

Strap them down with them and not worry about it.

 

[Zewnten]

Moved my boxes several times. Took the lockers off and put them on modified moving dollies. Put the boxes into a similar trailer, needed plywood to cover the gaps the wheels catch in, thin stuff works fine. Put heavy cardboard between everything and strapped it all down tight-tight, probably want to put moving blankets between cardboard leaves a weird gray color on the paint cleans off easy but if the cardbaord is dirty it'll scratch the paint. Moved hundreds of miles this way. FYI loaded boxes buckle and or tip over even locked and there's no fixing that. I stuck all the tools in 5 gallon buckets labeled with a fat sharpie

 

[RTM]

Do you think a place would rent a truck and trailer as a combo?

If you have insurance, yes, happily. Even hook it all up for you,

 

[dscheidt]

Have snapon move All that stuff , 300.00 is a steal , hell even a third trip, at 450.00 total is a deal
Around here getting one box moved by a wrecker is minimum 350 and most companies will flat out tell you they don't wanna **** with it at all ....which I don't understand cause for them it's easy money
It's just the area of the country I guess , when I lived in florida moving a box was a non issue and cheaper too

It's a pain in the ***. There's no good way to pull a box onto the deck with the winch, and it's a pain to secure it on some trucks (some flatbeds have **** tie down points for anything not a car.). if there's more than one box to move at a time, it's more work, because the box has to be worked around. And there are lot of boxes I'm not sure I'd trust the casters on.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

It's a pain in the ***. There's no good way to pull a box onto the deck with the winch, and it's a pain to secure it on some trucks (some flatbeds have **** tie down points for anything not a car.). if there's more than one box to move at a time, it's more work, because the box has to be worked around. And there are lot of boxes I'm not sure I'd trust the casters on.

My boxes have zero rust, however my father is an engineer.

Boxes are 1000lb each, empty, plus 275 of locker on each side, and the top, call it 1600. Plus all of the contents, being dragged up a 30 degree angle..... I've come a little timid about the tow truck.


I think I have a solution for the lockers to make them more easily moved on/off the box, and into their location for transist. If I build it I'll post it here as to how it works.

 

[yellowbox]

It's a pain in the ***. There's no good way to pull a box onto the deck with the winch, and it's a pain to secure it on some trucks (some flatbeds have **** tie down points for anything not a car.). if there's more than one box to move at a time, it's more work, because the box has to be worked around. And there are lot of boxes I'm not sure I'd trust the casters on.

i get it , but damn its not like your doing it for free
most companies overcharge the job if they take it
takes what? 15 mins top to load

 

[Stick-man]

My opinion, in your situation, would be to rent that trailer, with a pickup truck. I feel it would be the safest option. I doubt a tow company will reimburse you for any damage. You may have the right, but try getting it from them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Since you have several boxes and such, have you considered getting a POD ?

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Since you have several boxes and such, have you considered getting a POD ?

I have thought about thus. Not sure the minimal rental time. I need to see my potential employers lot to see if a pod would work.

I'm concerned about where I would have one where I'm at now, as the pavement is so fucked up. There's several sections a box simply could not cross.

 

[zkdiesel]

My boxes have zero rust, however my father is an engineer.

Boxes are 1000lb each, empty, plus 275 of locker on each side, and the top, call it 1600. Plus all of the contents, being dragged up a 30 degree angle..... I've come a little timid about the tow truck.


I think I have a solution for the lockers to make them more easily moved on/off the box, and into their location for transist. If I build it I'll post it here as to how it works.

You do not need to worry about loading them on wrecker. The angle, lip or pulling will be fine. Do it ALL the time
Your only worry is you have a confident operator. And the angle won’t be near 30’. Tell them you’re moving a heavy box setup and they will send the lowest bed they have with a good operator. But you’ll be easily at your $300 snap on mark.

 

[Steve_P]

Dunno, I've never moved a box of this size, and I've never seen one of those hydraulic drop trailers; but, if I was in the OP's shoes, I would definitely go the drop trailer route, even if I had to rent a truck. The Home Depot near me rents trucks, I think by the hour. I don't know what hitch setups they have, but you also have u-haul as an option. This seems much safer than putting multiple boxes onto a rollback wrecker for a single trip.

 

[rust in the eye]

This would work fine for one box but for multiple boxes, would have to pull each up individually, tie it down and then pull the next box on. If any tie down came a little loose, when the deck is tilted, could start to move. I have seen a couple of boxes moved with a tow truck. Some used the J hooks on the front casters to pull the box on. Others used a fabric sling around the box to pull on. I liked the j hooks better as it was closer to deck for when casters start on to the deck. Straps tend to be higher up and if the casters don't want to climb the deck, could tip.

Suit yourself but its done all the time. If a car can be strapped down so as not to roll off so can a tool box.

 

[tool_scrounge]

The drop deck trailers are quite nice. Around here the rental yards want you to have a 3/4 ton truck to rent them, but I suspect that varies with the rental yard.

Last time I had to move a big Lista tool box, we brought along some wood to put under the tool box to distribute the load and lift it off of the casters in the trailer. With some screws we then boxed it together so it would not shift. Worked great.

 

[LXCam]

Count me in on doing the drop deck trailer and crib the boxes.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I originally discovered the drop deck trailers by watching a guy bring in three soft drink vending machines to the factory where I worked by himself. I remembered that trailer when I started buying heavier weight equipment to restore. When I sell a one ton milling machine, I suggest the buyer bring one to pick up the load to make it easier for himself on his end for unloading with a rented pallet jack. I have a forklift to load them in, but then they can easily roll them out right into their shop.

 

[cannuck]

Another vote to go with drop bed trailer. By far easiest to load and use ratchet straps with scrap carpet protection to hold against sides. The only thing you need to be aware of is that the suspension on most trailers has only a couple inches of travel at best, so pre-drive route to find rough spots and count on slowing to walking pace to cross them.

Best wishes in finding a place to work that suits you better. Life is too short to work where you are not comfortable and appreciated.

 

[Davefr]

I'd call around to flatbed wreckers if you're moving them local.

Strap them down with them and not worry about it.

I wouldn't. For one thing their insurance likely only covers vehicles. In addition they might not lash the boxes down in the right locations to prevent deformation of the loaded boxes. I would certainly remove the heaviest items from the boxes and leave the rest.

My vote would be the SO dealer above all else.

 

[MovingAlong]

I would empty your boxes. Any large bump or pothole may cause an issue and collapse a drawer.

United Van Lines moved my HF 44" top & bottom stacked boxes coast to coast fully loaded. Had my concerns too, but turned out to be unfounded. Wrapping the boxes 100% with shrink-wrap ensured the drawers stayed put.

Next move used U-Hauls U-Box to move them fully loaded about 1000 miles again, many forklifts, many trucks, many warehouses. No issues.

While mine are not @2ndGearRubber boxes, just wanted to share my experience...

 

[2ndGearRubber]

United Van Lines moved my HF 44" top & bottom stacked boxes coast to coast fully loaded. Had my concerns too, but turned out to be unfounded. Wrapping the boxes 100% with shrink-wrap ensured the drawers stayed put.

Next move used U-Hauls U-Box to move them fully loaded about 1000 miles again, many forklifts, many trucks, many warehouses. No issues.

While mine are not @2ndGearRubber boxes, just wanted to share my experience...

I figured I would plastic wrap everything after locking, that way the drawers were mechanically closed but it wouldn't damage anything.

 

[yellowbox]

My opinion, in your situation, would be to rent that trailer, with a pickup truck. I feel it would be the safest option. I doubt a tow company will reimburse you for any damage. You may have the right, but try getting it from them.

This would actually be the best and cheapest way