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Transporting a big 50 inch snap on tool box?

gnx547

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What do you guys use to transport a big 50inch snap on tool box? How many people do you need to lift it?
 
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NHBandit

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Call triple A and have it hauled on a ramptruck. Tell them you ran out of gas. Seriously. Anytime I had to move a really big toolbox I had access to a car carrier with a rollback. Truck with a power tailgate maybe ? Watching to see how other guys do it.
 

LGMechanical

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Etobicoke, Ontario
What do you guys use to transport a big 50inch snap on tool box? How many people do you need to lift it?

Rent a u haul cube van (their vans have low decks which is safer):3gears:. Make sure it's got a ramp. Forget about lifting it if you haven't emptied it. Push it up and tie er down.

If its full of tools, it's most likely too heavy of a payload for most pick up trucks. Unless you have a big *** dually :)
 

signcrafter

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Call triple A and have it hauled on a ramptruck. Tell them you ran out of gas. Seriously. Anytime I had to move a really big toolbox I had access to a car carrier with a rollback. Truck with a power tailgate maybe ? Watching to see how other guys do it.

I hope your joking and didn't mean seriously? So when you tell triple A you ran out of gas and the tow driver shows up with can of gas you just tell him to fill the top drawer? I can't see any tow driver worth anything loading your box after you told them you ran out of gas. What if something happens on the drive? Try filing an insurance claim for a tool box that ran out of gas? Pay the couple bucks it costs to have the tow driver do it and his insurance covers it.
 

GTA Matt

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Thats a 76 inch epiq, a 48 inch cornwell, 30 gallon compressor, 2 roll carts, a fridge, other **** in the bed. 250 miles down I95 @75 mph.

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/316199_10150278927139232_731523_n.jpg
 

Davefr

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What do you guys use to transport a big 50inch snap on tool box? How many people do you need to lift it?


If it's empty it's a simple one man job (OK, maybe two to push it in).

Rent the 6X9 U haul trailer with the loading ramp tailgate for $29.95.


classic78%20001.JPG
 

NHBandit

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I hope your joking and didn't mean seriously? So when you tell triple A you ran out of gas and the tow driver shows up with can of gas you just tell him to fill the top drawer? I can't see any tow driver worth anything loading your box after you told them you ran out of gas. What if something happens on the drive? Try filing an insurance claim for a tool box that ran out of gas? Pay the couple bucks it costs to have the tow driver do it and his insurance covers it.
I'm almost never serious... In fact it's all I can do not to bust out laughing that you felt you had to ask. But.. my suggestion to use a rollback or a truck with a power tailgate was serious. The "out of gas" thing, not so much. The other option is to remove all the drawers and transport them seperately and the empty box "might" be manageable by a couple robust guys.
 

signcrafter

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I'm almost never serious... But.. my suggestion to use a rollback or a truck with a power tailgate was serious. The "out of gas" thing, not so much. The other option is to remove all the drawers and transport them seperately and the empty box "might" be manageable by a couple robust guys.

I was hoping that you were joking but couldn't tell because you said "seriously" after it so I thought you meant seriously. I agree roll back or a scissor lift trailer, http://www.boomlifts4sale.com/jlg-triple-l-trailer.html. They lower to the ground flat so you just lower the trailer, load the box, raise the trailer and drive.
 

Davefr

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Tow truck

Beware, there have been lots of horror stories of tow truck drivers damaging boxes by lashing them down improperly.

You also need to make sure the tow truck companies insurance covers tool
boxes. Most of the time you'll find that it covers vehicles only!!

If you want something done right, do it yourself!!
 

crewchief888

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NW indiana
when i move from fl back to the midwest, i lined toolboxes up along both sides of a 17ft uhaul, rode my harley up the ramp and parked between them.

if i have to move boxes now, top and mid boxes into the back of my truck, roller cabs and side boxes on my 6 x10 utility trailer.

moved them several times by myself.

:beer:
 

Turbo_Prop

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Sep 23, 2012
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297
Have done the self, tow truck and the tool truck sttyle moves.

Self move. Had a low trailer, the type typically used to transport a lawn tractor. It had a ramp but the angle of approach was too steep and the box would not clear. Wound up putting it on a vehicle lift and lowering it onto the trailer. The destination had a slight incline in the driveway, was able to simply roll the box off and into the garage. Had this not worked, I was prepared to remove the drawers and lift the top and bottom boxes with some buddies.

Tow truck. Called a flat bed wrecker to move the now fully loaded 50"w x 25"d double stack. The driver winched the box onto the truck without any issues an was going to put a strap over the top without any blocking. I called a time out and used a motorcycle jack to lift each end of the box and put a stack of 2"x12"s under each end. Was only going to the other side of a small town. No issues.

Tool Truck: Snap-On said no. Cornwell said no. Matco wanted $100, Mac said they would do it for free. Unfortunately the Mac guy never showed. Wound up getting one of the drivers that delivers to my business to do it with his lift gate.

Let us know how it turns out for you. Best of luck.
 

fatfillup

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Finksburg, Md
I buy and sell a lot of tool boxes. I have a lift gate on my truck so I have no problem. The best idea here is to rent the U Haul trailer and move it yourself. Move the box all the way forward and strap it to the front panel. I do not recommend leaving tools in your box for the move, especially the heavily loaded drawers. Every bump you hit multiplies the weight in box when it comes back down. You can damage slides this way. I know lots of guys move their boxes loaded, I just don't think its a good idea. Light drawers, no poroblem.

As far as the roll back, I too have heard and seen horror stories as well as lots of great moves. If you use a roll back, double check their insurance, better safe then sorry.
 

383 240z

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Findley Twp. Allegheny Co.
When I moved mine, I got it on my carhauler with a come a long, a few ratchet straps, the big 10K ones. and I screwed 2x4's against the wheels on all four side. I figured it couldn't hurt. Keith
 

JoeyMitch

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Lacey, NJ
We moved our mechanic's big Mac box with our F250 Ford Turbo Diesel. He didn't empty it and let me tell you, that thing was HEAVY!! I lifted it with our forklift while he backed the truck under it. Quite nerve racking lol
 
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t100

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If it's empty it's a simple one man job (OK, maybe two to push it in).

Rent the 6X9 U haul trailer with the loading ramp tailgate for $29.95.


classic78%20001.JPG


yepper. did my 64" by myself in the rain with the help of a floor jack(to tilt the bed) and couple wheel chucks.

only difference is I paid $15 for a small 4'x7' trailer.

IMG_0565.jpg


IMG_0563.jpg
 

yost69

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WV
When I got my 7023 I hauled it on an enclosed car trailer. Worked great.
 

scab

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Sep 20, 2012
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Have done the self, tow truck and the tool truck sttyle moves.

Self move. Had a low trailer, the type typically used to transport a lawn tractor. It had a ramp but the angle of approach was too steep and the box would not clear. Wound up putting it on a vehicle lift and lowering it onto the trailer. The destination had a slight incline in the driveway, was able to simply roll the box off and into the garage. Had this not worked, I was prepared to remove the drawers and lift the top and bottom boxes with some buddies.

Tow truck. Called a flat bed wrecker to move the now fully loaded 50"w x 25"d double stack. The driver winched the box onto the truck without any issues an was going to put a strap over the top without any blocking. I called a time out and used a motorcycle jack to lift each end of the box and put a stack of 2"x12"s under each end. Was only going to the other side of a small town. No issues.

Tool Truck: Snap-On said no. Cornwell said no. Matco wanted $100, Mac said
they would do it for free. Unfortunately the Mac guy never showed. Wound up getting one of the drivers that delivers to my business to do it with his lift gate.

Let us know how it turns out for you. Best of luck.

Never having moved one of these boxes, I think I'm missing something. How does putting 2x12s under it help out?

Also, I'm sure they're heavy, but they actually get big enough to outweigh the payload of a pickup truck? Wow, wouldn't have guessed that.
 

t100

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Never having moved one of these boxes, I think I'm missing something. How does putting 2x12s under it help out?

Also, I'm sure they're heavy, but they actually get big enough to outweigh the payload of a pickup truck? Wow, wouldn't have guessed that.

it bounces up and down with the truck bed, let the weight sitting on the 2x12 can save the casters and the bottom of the tool box by increasing the contact surface, spread the load to larger area.

if you ever look underneath the good tool boxes, there are built with channels. that's where the strength coming from.
 

dirtmister16

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wisconsin
two ways.rollback or trailer.
make sure the bed is wood(trailer), that way you can nail some cleats to help with the box moving. then plywood the top and tie it down good.


rollback isn't much of a issue as they are either alum. or steel. generally have either ribs or daimond plate. which can help things from sliding. but id still put a 2x4 by the wheels and tie it to the bed
 

86k10

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Colorado
How many guys with loaded boxes have emptied their tools out to move the box? Is this a common practice? Has anyone had any actual damage to their box from keeping them loaded while making a move?
 
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scab

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Learn something every day, especially on this site. Thanks.
 

bobcatdan

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Kaukauna,WI
I have had my box moved by toolguys. I have a 1022 and had unload it about 60%. Most lifegates can't lift a loaded box. When I shift back forth between two locations for work for awhile, we had an awesome little trailer made for walkbehind skidsteers like a bobcat mt 55 or toro dingos. Way overbuilt with a nice ramp. Three of use pusned the fully loaded 1022 up and two of us were able to ease it off. Proper equipment makes any job easier.
 

GTA Matt

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How many guys with loaded boxes have emptied their tools out to move the box? Is this a common practice? Has anyone had any actual damage to their box from keeping them loaded while making a move?

Don't know anybody who's ever unloaded their box before moving. Seen many techs come and go. Besides, where are you going to put the tools? The higher quality boxes are all very strong and should have no problem with a move as long as precautions and common sense are used.

Seen a few boxes unloaded when they inadvertently dropped off a rollback at speed......
 

larry_g

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oregon
A drop deck is easy to load. If you look near the end of my build thread below you can see how I used one to move my shop.

Drop deck trailer

lg
no neat sig line
 
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jbighump

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Dec 17, 2012
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above tn but below oh
i just moved my krl1023 200 miles and i used a bobcat trailer with plenty of tiedowns,,,,it was moved fully loaded and suffered no ill effects.... we loaded it onto a skid with 4x4s on it using a 20 ton shop crane and some lifting slings.....when we got to where we were going we hooked the slings to bobcat forks and off it came easy as pie....lol

really though a small trailer or rollback would be your best bet just make sure its strapped down well and if your going far check the straps multiple times....
 

hickmlg09

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Maybe a big uhaul or trailer? I know if I was transporting my tools and tool boxes I would baby them as like my own child lol! Wouldnt want to get any scratches on my tool boxes!!
 

Chris_Hamilton

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Dec 2, 2012
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Rollback is the way to go. I've had to move my Macsimizer MB1350 that way every time I've switched shops. (more times than I care to think about.) It is the easiest, fastest way to do it. Shop around and see what various towing services will do it for. If you are transporting locally cost should be minimal. $35.00- $75.00 probably.
 

Roland-5.0

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Ontario
My snap on dealer will transport ours within a reasonable distance if we were to change places of employment.
 

dirtmister16

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i remember loading boxes for the local gm dealer when they moved across town. we put 4x4 under the box then lifted the box the widest dimension. i put them on a trailer, i think we did 3 that way.

went easy, they tied them down. that was back when i worked at the lumber yard, somedays i miss that job.
 

Toolhorder

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Thats a 76 inch epiq, a 48 inch cornwell, 30 gallon compressor, 2 roll carts, a fridge, other **** in the bed. 250 miles down I95 @75 mph.

http://sphotos-b.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/316199_10150278927139232_731523_n.jpg

Shame on you sir, that's way too fast towing a trailer.
 

Toolhorder

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I buy and sell a lot of tool boxes. I have a lift gate on my truck so I have no problem. The best idea here is to rent the U Haul trailer and move it yourself. Move the box all the way forward and strap it to the front panel. I do not recommend leaving tools in your box for the move, especially the heavily loaded drawers. Every bump you hit multiplies the weight in box when it comes back down. You can damage slides this way. I know lots of guys move their boxes loaded, I just don't think its a good idea. Light drawers, no poroblem.

As far as the roll back, I too have heard and seen horror stories as well as lots of great moves. If you use a roll back, double check their insurance, better safe then sorry.

I moved my box fully loaded 4 times already and haven't had any issues. Depends on the box maybe? I only use SO.
I used a tow truck once (straps came loose and upper box started hopping off the lower then taking it off the rollback the locker was ripped off the main box), low deck Uhaul trailer (works good just they have a rippled deck and not all boxes have wheel spaced to match the grooves), flat wooden deck trailer (I bought a trailer cheap and use this now. I screw down 2x4's on both sides of the wheels to secure it from moving then add straps. Works great!)
 

acdc73

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Jul 16, 2012
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How many guys with loaded boxes have emptied their tools out to move the box? Is this a common practice? Has anyone had any actual damage to their box from keeping them loaded while making a move?

never emptied a box, but I stuff bubble wrap or crumpled paper on top of the loose tools in the drawes to keep things from bouncing around.
 
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