Trailer/Garage

[gmm213]

So my fiancee is joining the Navy (Im a vet myself). I would like to find a decent sized utility trailer to enclose or find one cheap enough and turn it into a rolling garage/four Wheeler hauler because I'll be moving around a bit. Does anyone have experience doing this? I am planning to build in a workbench and cabinets.possibly a generator for power when I have non. It won't be built for about six months when I finally get te 305 built and dropped in my blazer.

 

[power wagon]

So my fiancee is joining the Navy (Im a vet myself). I would like to find a decent sized utility trailer to enclose or find one cheap enough and turn it into a rolling garage/four Wheeler hauler because I'll be moving around a bit. Does anyone have experience doing this? I am planning to build in a workbench and cabinets.possibly a generator for power when I have non. It won't be built for about six months when I finally get te 305 built and dropped in my blazer.

thanks for your service

 

[gmm213]

Your welcome. Does anyone have any tips for doing.this? Any specific problems they ran into? Im going to get a newer box possibly to put in it. Something wide and low for my bench. Preferably snap on.

 

[c4cruiser]

I have a 20' CargoMate Blazer that I use to haul my Corvette to events. It's just big enough for the car and a small Craftsman chest and an aluminum storage rack. While there is plenty of room in the trailer when the car isn't in there, it is crowded with the car loaded and tied down.

One thing to consider is the loaded weight. My trailer has a total weight capacity of 7000lbs. While that seems a lot, the trailer weighs just under 3000lbs. The two axles are rated for 3500 lbs each. The car weighs about 3300 and I figure the tools, race tires, and equipment weigh about 500 lbs.

I tow the trailer with an '08 Silverado 4x4 with the 6.0L motor and the max towing capacity is right around 9000lbs. A 24' trailer would be an improvement ig help but I would need a bigger truck.

A small generator can work but it should go on the tow vehicle. IMHO, you don't want to have a generator running that is close to the trailer. It's easy for exhaust gasses to float around and get into the trailer. Wiring the trailer for 120v is not that hard as long as the trailer in not pre-finished inside.

 

[gmm213]

Does anyone have any towing experience with a 305. My blazer is an s10 so its unibody so I don't want a 350. I was thinking a 10 foot or so. My four Wheeler is 5 foot long so I want a decent storage work space when its in there but it can be taking out for more space

 

[The Boss]

I towed for years with a two door Tahoe and although backing up was great (short wheelbase truck with long wheelbase trailer is ideal) there were times when the pucker factor was high. My job site trailer is heavy and trying to back it into different spots, sometimes the trailer would push the truck where the truck didn't want to go.

I am much happier using a heavier truck to tow with.

Thank you for your & your wife's service!

 

[gmm213]

Your welcome. It wouldn't get moved a lot. Just when I move. Maybe ecru year at most. Im going to try to wait to see if she's going to.go to Japan like she wants but im hoping for San Diego. I was also thinking of saving up for a diesel ( non duramax) so I could hall a 20 or so but the engine costs more and so does the trailer

 

[cyamaha2007]

Look up contractors trailers. I have a mobile workshop per say. Its a 20ft enclosed trailer. All i did to modify mine was lay down some 3/4in plywood over my floor so i could roll heavy boxes and items in and out. Also so i could bolt things to the floor. I also fitted mine with rv windows for lighting and ventilation.

 

[justanengineer]

Flip through the album linked below to get your ideas flowing. Not a trailer per-se, but a mobile tool room I had in the Army. The cabinets are Vidmars with butcher block on top. Made a really nice bench and with foam cutouts stored a ton of tools safely/solidly going down the road. Not my pics so cant take credit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaguardpao/7394827578/

 

[KEH]

Others have mentioned towing capacity, also you need to be concerned with braking capacity. Have brakes on trailer.

Suggest you stake out space on ground of the proposed size of the trailer, say 8 x 20 for example. Then stake out space for your bench and cabinets and see how much space they take up. The kind of work you plan to do in it needs to be considered also. If you are going to drive a car into it I think you will need more than 20 feet, also a side door for access.

Thanks to both of you for service, good luck.

KEH

 

[rogsmart]

Here are some vids that a contractor named Ron Paulk did regarding his mobile
work setup. Now, his is more oriented towards pulling up a house and doing a remodel but I think you'll find some useful ideas here.

http://www.youtube.com/user/crpaulk/videos?view=0

 

[gmm213]

I don't plan on driving a car into it. It'll be more for storage with some space to do smaller jobs like carbs or maybe my four Wheeler. I need something for my four Wheeler and toolbox and just decided to add a small workshop. I don't think im going to fab the whole thing just modify.one for my needs.

 

[TLCDino]

Pualk's mobile wood shop is killer!

 

[IMXCITD]

first: Thanks for you and your fiancee's service!

Next...you will want a bigger truck and a decent size trailer. If you try to cheat and go smaller with either....you will probably regret it. A nice 2500 or 3500 truck that can tow safetly can be had in the teens. Go w a dual axle 20 to 24ft trailer w electric brakes. You can find some good deals on used trailers....ebay, craigslist or racing junk. Good luck

On a side note...I am between big trucks right now...just have a 1500 2wd and have towed a couple trailers and a boat...and it was not fun. I will be back in a big truck soon.

 

[gmm213]

I have towed some vehicles without trailers with my 4.3 and never had a problem. I don't want to get rid of my blazer. It was a gift from my pops a few years before he passed. I've seen guys with 6.5 or 350 in s10s haul some big stuff before. The 6.2s came in gen 1 s10 blazers I believe. Its all about engine and suspension. I don't really want bigger than 20ft prob get closer to 10 or 15. I don't need a full shop just something for small jobs. Most bases have garages you can use.

 

[rick carpenter]

You'll find lots of ideas at contractortalk.com. In Forum > Equipment & Safety, look through both Tools & Equipment and Vehicles. Thanks for both of y'all's service.

 

[slip knot]

I recently had a contractor friend of mine lose his trailer at a jobsite. He lost ALL of his tools. He is currently working out of my shop now. whatever you do make sure that you have a good way to secure your trailer when its setting around.

Thank you for your service to our country.

 

[Jcslocum]

Craigslist is where to look for box trailers. I have a 14 with. 7 foot ceiling. Weighs right at 2000 lbs. It's a dual axle and tows like a dream. Used mostly for motorcycles.

 

[crewchief888]

I've seen guys with 6.5 or 350 in s10s haul some big stuff before. The 6.2s came in gen 1 s10 blazers I believe. Its all about engine and suspension. I don't really want bigger than 20ft prob get closer to 10 or 15. I don't need a full shop just something for small jobs. Most bases have garages you can use.

1st gen s-10 blazer with a 6.2 ?

i think not.

2.8 TBI v6 or 4.3 TBI v6, there may have been a 4 banger available

the rear end is marginal for a stock SBC, not nearly enough rear spring or brakes to handle 20 ft of loaded trailer behind you.

 

[gmm213]

Sorry I read the article wrong. It said up until 2000 but I didn't realize that the third gen k5 was still produced for some countries. I thought they meant the 1St gen s10

I am going to swap out the from ifs and put at least 1/2 ton axles and suspension.

 

[mikegt4]

Go to offroad forums such as Pirate 4X4 and you will find more info than you will ever need. The "trailers and transportation" area is full of projects like yours.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/index.php

 

[crewchief888]

s10 extremist has some useful info on engine & straight axle swaps.


you mean something like this?